The content of this class is roughly divided into three phases. First, we will be looking at storytelling as a human activity, considering how and why the human brain creates and responds to stories, and how stories affect the human brain. Second, we will consider cultural traditions of storytelling, including the ethics of appropriation and the debates surrounding cultural authenticity. Third, we will look at the art and craft of storytelling in the contexts of our work and our daily lives. In conjunction with this study of the history and uses of storytelling, students will also work on developing their own particular storytelling styles through the adaptation and performance of stories.