2025-2026 Catalog

SF-1143 In the First-Person: Storytelling in the 21st Century

This section of the Seminar for Freshmen will consider the forms, venues, and impacts of narrative nonfiction in contemporary culture. From the exploding popularity of personal essays in the digital age to the living, evolving essays we create on social media, we are constantly narrating and archiving our lives, shaping their content for specific audiences. In doing so, we shape what our experiences mean and represent. In order to analyze the power of narrative nonfiction, we will look at a variety of multimodal texts: essays, podcasts, Instagram and Twitter feeds, stand-up comedy, and storytelling slams, as well historical texts such as the essays of Michel de Montaigne and historical artifacts at the National Archives in Boston. We will also write our own narrative nonfiction, and adapt our first-person stories for listening and viewing audiences, such as the MassMouth story slam and podcasts like This American Life. Additionally, we will practice narrative nonfiction for professional audiences, using storytelling as a way to showcase personal strengths to employers, internship coordinators, and the like.

Credits

4

Prerequisite

Student has not met all of the following Student has satisfied all of the following Student has satisfied all of the following Student has completed or is in process of completing any of the following course(s) WAIVER 15CR - At Least 15 Transfer Credits, WAIVER 30CR - At Least 30 Transfer Credits, WAIVER 45CR - At Least 45 Transfer Credits, WAIVER 60CR - At Least 60 Transfer Credits, WAIVER 90CR - At Least 90 Transfer Credits, courses with SF subject code with grade greater than or equal to D- (Undergraduate Grading Scheme). And Student has satisfied all of the following Academic Unit (Computed) in the selection list Advertising Public Relations and Social Media, Art and Design, Biology, Biology and Radiation Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Communication Journalism and Media, Economics, English, Environmental Science and Studies, History Language and Global Culture, INTO College of Arts and Sciences, Math and Computer Science, Medical Dosimetry, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science and Legal Studies, Psychology, Radiation Sciences, Sociology and Criminal Justice ...

Offered

Fall