Utopias against resignation: Writing short stories in the science fiction genre
Current social, ecological, and transhumanist developments offer little cause for optimism about the future. Yet utopian science fiction, in particular, has given rise to counter-narratives. Authors are writing against societal anxieties about the future, developing concepts and visions for how to address a looming climate catastrophe and global conflicts over resources and living space.
This is precisely where the series of events begins, fostering a creative development process: Students learn to express their thoughts, emotions, and visions as short stories. We draw inspiration from researchers and authors, reflect on what we hear, engage with our own short stories in a way that resonates with them, and strive to find new perspectives: utopias against resignation.
Finally, the best short stories will be presented to an interested public.
Prof. Dr. Arndt Büssing
Arndt Büssing ist Professor für Lebensqualität, Spiritualität und Coping an der Universität Witten/Herdecke. Sein Forschungsinteresse richtet sich auf die Bedeutung der Spiritualität als Ressource sowie die Unterstützung spiritueller Bedürfnisse bei Menschen in Belastungssituationen. Er ist im Editorial Board der Fachzeitschriften Journal of Religion and Health und Journal for the Study of Spirituality, sowie Co-Editor-in-Chief des Journals Religions. Er ist außerdem Romanautor (mit Pseudonym).
Prof. Dr. David Martin
David Martin, geboren 1973 in den USA, aufgewachsen in den USA, Frankreich und England. Als Facharzt für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin und pädiatrischer Endokrinologe, Diabetologe, Hämatologe und Onkologe ist er Inhaber des Gerhard Kienle Lehrstuhls für Medizintheorie, Integrative und Anthroposophische Medizin an der Universität Witten/Herdecke www.uni-wh.de/gkls. Dort leitet er auch das Institut für Integrative Medizin www.uni-wh.de/ifim und ist Ko-Leiter des Forschung- und Lehrzentrums Herdecke.
Objectives & Competences
Students learn to express their thoughts, emotions, and visions as anti-dystopian short stories. We draw inspiration from researchers and authors, reflect on what we hear, resonate with it in our own short stories, and try to find new perspectives—especially in the context of their planned career paths: utopias against resignation.
Finally, the best short stories are presented to an interested public (the authors read their stories aloud themselves).
Methodology:
Inspiration: Exchange with invited researchers and authors (via Zoom and live stream)
Education: Acquisition of short story writing skills
Reflection: Feedback from the group on the emerging texts
Critique: Constructive editorial feedback on the short stories
Appreciation: The short stories are presented to an interested public.
Maximum number of participants
20 participants