SF-H1185 Honors Socially-Conscious Storytellers in a Political World
This section of the Seminar for Freshmen will consider the role that writing plays in examining social justice issues through the storytelling venue of fiction. How does the writing and reading of fiction make us more socially-conscious people? Through an examination of selected readings from historical novels such as Colson Whiteheads The Underground Railroad and The Shawl by Cynthia Ozick (both the short story and novella companion), along with various short stories by E.L. Doctorow, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison and others, students will analyze how such literature represents complex social issues through the conventions and techniques of fiction. In addition, students will also produce historical fiction pieces of their own as a means of further understanding how fiction can be used as a tool for social change. Topics will include recent concerns related to immigration, racism, war, African-American slavery, the Holocaust, and intergenerational trauma in America. Students will consider how the storytelling techniques of fiction allow readers to consider these topics both from a historical and contemporary perspective. In addition to course readings, presentations and classroom conversations, the class will also visit museums such as Museum of African American History and the local nonprofits like MIRA that that connect specifically to these topics and discuss those factors that shape the resulting dialogue and stories around them. From these visits, students will be asked to write historical fiction specifically engaged in social justice issues as a way to showcase their understanding of how fiction can be used as a tool for social justice, spreading awareness and greater critical thinking of some of todays most pressing and controversial topics.
Prerequisite
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 ... And Student has satisfied all of the following Student is a member of the Honors Summary All Student Cohort