THE POWER OF STORIES: A READING AND TEACHING GUIDE
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SU THEME 2019-2020
The Power of Stories
Humans, both individually and collectively, are story-making and story-telling creatures. Stories shape powerfully who we are, what we believe, and how we act—for both good and ill.
Stories can be very short. For example, as individuals, we may tell ourselves, “I’m no good,” “I can do anything I set out to do,” or “I am so afraid of others finding out who I really am.”
But stories can also be long, complex, and durable. Think of the stories supportive of patriarchal privilege, evolution, American exceptionalism, globalization.
In considering the power of stories, we will examine both the sources of stories and their impacts. We will explore what it means to question our stories, and we will analyze the difficulties and challenges involved in letting go of false and hurtful stories and embracing new and helpful ones.
Theme proposed by Karla Bohmbach, Professor of Religious Studies
The Why Factor: Why Do Stories Matter?
- The Why Factor: Why Do Stories Matter?Telling stories is one of the ways we connect to one and other. Stories teach us empathy and allow us to feel what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes. They evolve to show us what our society considers acceptable - and what will not be forgiven. Sandra Kanthal explores why stories matter.
Guests:
David JP Philips – Communications Expert
John Yorke - Author: Into The Woods
Mirta Galesic - Professor in Human Social Dynamics, Santa Fe Institute
Jamie Tehrani, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Durham University
Elizabeth Kperrun - Founder; Zenafri Limited
Samantha Armstrong - Senior Publisher, Oxford University Press
Sandra Newman – Author: The Heavens and How Not To Write a Novel
Music Track: Make America Great Again – performed by Dave Fenley
(Photo: Woman holding an open book bursting with light. Credit: Getty Images)
HELLO, READERS!
Dear Reader,
This online guide is here to help you understand the texts in The Power of Stories: Susquehanna University Common Reading 2019-2020. The Power of Stories was chosen as Susquehanna University's 2019-2020 theme because stories shape the lives of our students, faculty, and staff everyday. It's important to engage with the concept of stories and think about just why they play such an important role in our lives.
As you join a campus community with a common mission, which is "to educate students for productive, creative and reflective lives of achievement, leadership and service in a diverse, dynamic and interdependent world," we hope that you'll also join us in thinking about the impact of stories on our society and ourselves. In this guide, there are discussion questions, author biographies, additional resources, and in-class activities to help you interact with and learn more about the selected texts.
We hope these resources are helpful to you and that you finish this semester with broader views and ideas. We chose the video in the link below for this landing page because it touches on why stories are so important to us and how stories can help all of us in the future. We wish you the best of luck.
Best Regards,
Victoria Dunn and Joanna Messineo, Teaching Guide Editorial Interns 2018-2019
COMMON READING LECTURE
- Daily Item (local newspaper) write-upSELINSGROVE — More than 900 people, including students, university administrators and area residents nearly filled Susquehanna University’s Weber Chapel auditorium Thursday night for a 90-minute lecture on recognizing the signs of sexual violence and ways to prevent it.
The University invited Dr. Keith Edwards to speak after he had contributed to the university’s common reading anthology, a book distributed to students at the start of a new year. Edwards’ specialty looks at different aspects of the male masculine myths — and truths.
Dr. Keith E. Edwards is a scholar and educator who has spoken on college campuses about assault preventions, men’s identity, social justice education, curricular approaches beyond the classroom, and leadership over the past 18 years. He has spoken and consulted at over 200 colleges and universities, presented over 200 programs at national conferences, and has written more than 20 articles or book chapters on these issues. He also co-edited the book Addressing Sexual Violence in Higher Education.
READ THE COMMON READING ONLINE
- Common Reading Full Text (SU community only)Members of the Susquehanna community may login to MySU to access individual readings in the anthology.
