Course detail

Creative Naratology 1

FaVU-1TVNA1Acad. year: 2023/2024

The stories are a dominant expression and stimulus for reflection on the current forms of the world and its possible development. Storytelling is one of the most common types of interpersonal communication. We work with stories on a daily basis, consume them in mass quantities and tell them intuitively. However, if we want to use storytelling as a functional tool for our own artistic creation, it is essential to become familiar with the rules of exactly how storytelling works.  The course will offer students a series of practical exercises focused on working with narrative. Over the course of thirteen seminars, students will be introduced to storytelling methodologies from literature, film, comics, theatre, radio, spoken word, video games, social games, visual art and design.  The Creative Narratology 1 course is closely linked to the Creative Writing courses and, by combining the joint study of both courses, the Creative Narratology course develops the dramaturgical aspects of the Creative Writing course. 

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

2

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Entry knowledge

Keen interest in storytelling and narative strategies.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Credit for the course is awarded on the basis of attendance, active work in seminars and completion of homework. 
The condition for successful completion of the course is active participation in class and completion of assignments. 3 unexcused absences are allowed. Missed classes can be made up by doing homework. 

Aims

The aim of the narratology course is to develop students' sense of storytelling and to enrich their portfolios with a range of narrative works across a variety of media. 


The course graduates are familiar with the rules of narration across media and are able to use these rules in their own artistic practice. 

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Kokeš, Radomír D. Světy na pokračování. Praha: Akropolis, 2016. (CS)

Recommended reading

Bown, Alfie. The PlayStation Dreamworld. Cambridge: Polity, 2017. (EN)
Carriere, Jean-Claude. Vyprávět příběh. Praha: Limonádový Joe, 2014. (CS)
Eco, Umberto. Meze interpretace. Praha: Karolinum, 2004. (CS)
Eco, Umberto. Skeptikové a těšitelé. Praha: Argo, 2007. (CS)
Field, Syd. Jak napsat dobrý scénář. Praha: Rybka Publishers, 2007. (CS)
Fleischer, Jan. To by mohl být film. Praha: NAMU, 2009. (CS)
Kundera, Milan. Umění románu: cesta Vladislava Vančury za velkou epikou. Praha: Československý spisovatel, 1960. (CS)
McCloud, Scott. Jak rozumět komiksu. Praha: BB/art, 2008 (CS)
McGonigal, Jane. Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World. Londýn: Penguin Books, 2011. (EN)
Mirzoeff, Nicholas. Jak vidět svět. Praha: Artmap, 2018 (CS)
Srnicek, Nick. Platform Capitalism. Cambridge: Polity, 2017. (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme VUB Bachelor's

    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Creative seminar

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. Narrative structures

2. Beginning, middle and end

3. Title, theme and its essence

4. Theory of fictional worlds

5. Memes

6. Narrative through images

7. Storytelling with sound

8. Cinematic speech

9. Chekhov's Gun

10. Sequential Art and Editing

11. Narrative and Interactivity

12. Continuing Worlds

13. Gonzo Curating