ENG 304 - The Evolution of Narrative (3)

This course will engage students in the forms and cultural significance of stories and storytelling through time, from enduring popular narratives, the creation of and challenges to genre conventions, and emerging media and popular culture. Students will examine narrative modes and structures in various literary and non-literary texts, both classical and contemporary, with particular emphasis on the anthropological role of narrative in the construction of the individual and collective self. In addition to traditional storytelling methods, students will explore how generative AI and large language models (LLM) transform modern narratives. They will analyze how AI technologies serve as tools to create new narrative forms and storytelling possibilities, enabling the development of complex, evolving storylines that reflect diverse perspectives. Throughout the course, students will critically engage with the ethical considerations of AI-generated narratives, balancing technological innovation with the richness of human creativity. By examining the intersection of traditional narratives and AI-driven storytelling, students will gain a deeper understanding of how stories shape human identity. This exploration will prepare them for future fields where narrative creation is influenced by both human insight and artificial intelligence, highlighting how these technologies can deepen our understanding of ourselves and our shared experiences.