Story, Self, and Society

What you’ll do

This studio uses fiction to parse complex human situations — through (1) reading and discussion, and (2) generating original written narratives from the concepts of story-making you grasp in the course. Shared inquiry is the central tenet. You’ll build critical thinking, an appreciation for the written word, and the capacity to navigate group dynamics through moments of polarisation.

Each session begins with a short story, which you collectively examine through discussion, observation, and interpretation. These conversations then become the basis for short creative exercises in which you experiment with voice, character, dialogue, and interiority. Process is prized over mastery — you’ll draft, share, reflect, and revise in response to peer feedback and classroom dialogue.

The course treats fiction not only as literary art but as a way of thinking about experience, perception, institutions, and human relationships. The chosen stories will cover different facets each day. Through collaborative reading and creative practice, you’ll develop sharper attention to language and storytelling, and discover how narrative methods can deepen inquiry across disciplines.