This seminar will examine different forms of storytelling in contemporary, transatlantic postindustrial cities. From literary representations to city scripts in planning and to audio-visual storytelling, the examples are wide and wonderful. What kinds of stories are being told? To what end? Are there regional differences? What media are being used and by whom?

The first part of the course will deal with key concepts related to cities and storytelling: What is a city? What qualifies as postindustrial? What is storytelling? What is the role and function of storytelling in and for cities? What are city scripts?

In the second part of the seminar, we will discuss both literary representations and examples from urban practice and other media. Students will be able to bring examples they would like to further investigate to class and, on a project basis, will develop and present these in the final part of the seminar.