Course curriculum

  • 1
  • 2

    Week 1: From Close Reading to Attentive Listening

    • Introductory Video + Learning Journal

    • Optional Introductory Reading

    • Close Reading Assignment + Discussion

    • Reflective Writing Prompt

    • Week 1 Podcast: From Close Reading To Attentive Listening

  • 3

    Week 2: Where Does Meaning Live?

    • Introductory Video + Learning Journal

    • Optional Introductory Reading

    • Close Reading Assignment + Discussion

    • Reflective Writing Prompt

    • Week 2 Podcast: Where Does Meaning Live?

  • 4

    Week 3: Metaphor and Symbolism

    • Introductory Video + Learning Journal

    • Optional Introductory Reading

    • Close Reading Assignment + Discussion

    • Reflective Writing Prompt

    • Week 3 Podcast: Metaphor and Symbolism

  • 5

    Week 4: Perspective and Bias

    • Introductory Video + Learning Journal

    • Optional Introductory Reading

    • Close Reading Assignment + Discussion

    • Reflective Writing Prompt

    • Midterm Examination

    • Week 4 Podcast: Perspective and Bias

  • 6

    Week 5: Midterm Break

    • Optional Midterm Exercise

  • 7

    Week 6: Temporality

    • Introductory Video + Learning Journal

    • Optional Introductory Reading

    • Close Reading Assignment + Discussion

    • Reflective Writing Prompt

    • Week 6 Podcast: Temporality and the Lived Experience of Illness/Pain

  • 8

    Week 7: Counter-Narratives

    • Introductory Video + Learning Journal

    • Optional Introductory Reading

    • Close Reading Assignment + Discussion

    • Reflective Writing Prompt

    • Week 7 Podcast: Counter-Narratives and Social Justice

  • 9

    Week 8: Caregiving & Self-Care

    • Introductory Video + Learning Journal

    • NOT Optional Introductory Reading :)

    • Close Reading Assignment + Discussion

    • Reflective Writing Prompt

    • Week 8 Podcast: Caregiving and Self-Care

  • 10

    Week 9: The Embodied Storyteller (Capstone)

    • Introductory Video + Learning Journal

    • Optional Introductory Reading

    • The Embodied Storyteller (Capstone)

    • Woven Poetry

    • Week 9 Podcast: Embodiment and Performativity

    • Final "Exam"

    • Post-Course Survey

    • Optional: Leave Us A Google Review!

Pricing options

If you cannot afford the registration price because of present hardship, please contact us at narrative to discuss scholarships.

FAQ

  • Can I get my money back if I'm not happy with the course?

    We offer a 14-day money back guarantee, so if the course isn't working for you, get in touch and we'll be happy to help.

  • Can I take this course on my phone or tablet?

    For sure! All of the course content is fully responsive so it will work regardless of whether you're on a computer or a mobile device.

  • What do I do if I have questions about the course?

    We are here for you! Contact us ANY time at [email protected]. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

  • What's the schedule like?

    The course is asynchronous and always available online, so you can move at your own pace. Each week, we post one "academic" reading assignment, one "artistic" close reading assignment, and one reflective writing assignment. Students post responses on our discussion board and comment on at least 3 peers’ posts throughout the week—this is where the richest conversation and development happens. Over our weeks together, we’ll only have 2 live Zoom calls—one for a collaborative podcast, and one for our group capstone project. We offer multiple time options to accommodate different time zones and schedules.

  • Does this course have any deadlines?

    While the format is flexible, consistency is important. This is a close, private space where personal things may be shared, and we aim to keep the group cohesive. We have gentle “due dates” on Wednesdays and weekends to keep us thinking and working together. Exercises can take as little or as much time as you choose, but the next module won’t open until you’ve completed the previous one. If someone is absent from the discussion board for two consecutive weeks, we remove them from the program to preserve the group’s sense of safety and privacy.

  • What's the time commitment?

    Most students spend 3–5 hours per week on the course. Some responses are just a few sentences, others are longer—it’s entirely up to you. The course “gives what it gets," meaning that the insights you take away tend to reflect the energy you put in, but only you can define what that looks like for you.

Instructor(s)

Julia Schneider

Instructor

Julia Schneider holds a Master’s in Literature from University of Texas at Austin and is a graduate of Columbia University’s professional certification in Narrative Medicine. She owns RISE Wellness Center in Austin TX where she mentors pain care professionals in massage and yoga therapy for persisting pain. She is also the co-founder and director of NarrativeRx, an online learning community for providers, patients, teachers, and activists interested in deepening their listening skills through literature, philosophy, and the arts.

If you are interested in joining the 9-week cohort, please email us at [email protected] for upcoming course dates.