Theatre as Technology. 3 credits, 3 contact hours

Catalog description

Prerequisites: One History/Humanities 200-level GER course. Pre or Corequisites: ENGL 102 with grade C or higher. This course reimagines storytelling as the original technology, examining how theatrical narratives have been engineered to solve problems that science can’t touch: how to live, love, inspire change, and transform human experience. Students will explore how the "inventions" of storytelling—such as character arcs, plot twists, and narrative structures—serve as tools to enhance mental agility, empathy, and imagination. Through multiple realms of narrative exploration, course delves into the mechanics of storytelling, revealing how stories craft experiences that are a response to the needs of society. Additionally, the course will examine how storytelling gets used in all facets of life and work; from urban planning and social events to marketing to organization of businesses. Through close reading, performance analysis, and creative projects, students will learn how to apply these techniques to their own work, understanding storytelling as an evolving technology that shapes minds and moves societies.