The Biology of Story Self-Study Course

In what ways are the patterns of Story woven into our lives, our society, our world. Or are we and our world woven by the patterns of Story. Drawing upon the practical insights of those who tell stories in many forms, the Biology of Story Course explores the growing use of narrative in a wide range of fields and disciplines, including Film & Television, Interactive & Transmedia, Oral Storytelling & Folklore, Literature & Creative Writing, Indigenous Studies, Education, Religion, Psychology, Journalism, Peace & Conflict Studies, Life Sciences, Cosmology, and Health & Medicine.

The cultural knowledge of Indigenous Peoples, traditionally rooted in story, frame the course's epistemological approach, which rethinks social and institutional assumptions with the hope of releasing human potential. Fourteen quizzes and fifteen writing assignments (all optional) help students solidify their learning and work on their storytelling craft through personal reflection and peer feedback when available. Transcripts are available for easy reference.

A NOTE ABOUT THE COURSE CREATOR AND LECTURERThe Biology of Story Course is brought to you by Resounding Media Inc, which was formerly owned by Amnon Buchbinder and now by your current instructor Geneviève Appleton. Buchbinder, who appears in the course lecture videos, was a gifted screenwriter and Genie Award-winning filmmaker. He taught at York University, where he received a tenure-stream appointment in 1996 and was promoted to full professor in 2019.

He was the former Chair of the Department of Cinema and Media Arts, and played an instrumental role in developing its curriculum in the production and screenwriting programs. The author of numerous screenplays, Buchbinder served as story editor on more than a hundred feature film projects in funded development. He was also an accomplished author.