Exploring the Future through Stories in Literature and Film

Description

We can travel all over the world, we can travel into space, but we cannot travel in time... Or...can we? Mentally we can time travel. And the stories in literature and film are a great inspiration for a journey into the future. This course explores different ways to re-shape our personal future and that of the world through stories in literature and film.

In this course we employ recent research, novel narrative (psychological) theory, and practical exercises exploring how stories in literature and film can be great inspiration for our narrative imagination of the future. They can spark our imagination and help us understand other people, by introducing us to characters who have a different perspective on the world. When we make sense of the world around us and of what could happen in the years ahead, we often rely on narrative structures we have encountered in our culture and folklore. Similarly, books, films and series can shape our perceptions of our lives today and our expectations of what will happen in our future. We thus often engage (subconsciously) in mental time travel. By becoming aware of different pathways of narrative influence we can let go of the stories we are stuck in, and imagine new avenues for change. We can reflect on what it means to have a meaningful (working) life, and train our “moral muscle” – our capability for empathy, ethical awareness and moral decision-making. 

This course combines the stories in literature and film, with theory and practical exercises to explore different futures and become aware of ways in which we can (re)shape the future. We will focus on people's personal futures (future self, career identity) as well as the type of world we want to envision, reflecting on values and morality. In the current turbulent global climate, stories can help us make sense of what is going on and offers us templates towards a future world we want to be a part of. 

Lecturers

Main Lecturers

Dr. Inge Brokerhof

Inge Brokerhof is scholar, lecturer and writer with a focus on narrative identity, organizational psychology, storytelling, organizational change, business ethics, and rhetoric. She obtained her PhD at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in 2021, titled "Fictional narratives at work: How stories can shape career identity, future work selves and moral development". During her PhD she worked as a researcher at Harvard Business School and the University of Bath. 

Dr. Frank Hakemulder

Frank Hakemulder has a background in literary theory, and specializes in the psychology of literature and media, in particular the impact of stories on reflection, wellbeing, perception of self and other (e.g., The moral laboratory, 2000). He is associate professor at the department of Liberal Arts and Sciences. In addition, he is affiliated full professor at the Reading Center at the University of Stavanger.

Guest Lecturers

Drs. Mieke Verbaarschot

Mieke Verbaarschot, work and organizational psychologists, has her roots in HR and sustainable employability. She has trained hundreds of experienced (career)coaches in the Career Story Interview, (CSI) and publishes and practices CSI in her own practice. She is ambassador for CSI in The Netherlands and affiliated with Noloc, the professional association of career specialists. She is very enthusiastic about the ability of the CSI method to support to support clients' self-management.

There will be multiple guest speakers. More information will follow.

Target audience

Professionals and students with a Master, PhD, or advanced Bachelor level who are interested in stories, storytelling and narrative impact through literature and film.

Student testimonials

How students experienced the 2025 course:

• “I found the summer course incredibly interesting and inspiring. It was a truly unique experience.”
• “The course made me much more aware of the role stories can play. I was especially struck by the insight that literature and fiction can function as a ‘safe space’ for exploring complex and sensitive themes. The guest lecture on the future of work was brilliant — I even shared insights with colleagues working on AI policy. I would definitely recommend this course to others.”

• “We were a small group, and Inge’s teaching style fit this perfectly: personal, deeply engaged, and grounded in strong academic expertise. The guest lectures and workshops were equally inspiring.”

• “The assignments were clear and the mix of formats worked surprisingly well. Although I usually prefer lectures over interactive workshops, the mix of course elements encouraged reflection and meaningful exchange. I’m glad I signed up.”

Aim of the course

After this course you have gained insight into:

• Three different pathways through which stories re-shape your future self
• Ways in which stories can help us imagine different futures
• How literature can promote the development of "moral muscle" – the capability of ethical awareness and moral decision-making
• Why moral leaders are readers: exploring how novels can stimulate leadership development
• Using narratives and storytelling to enhance your personal career (in research and analysis; in training and development)
• Expand your understanding of theoretical foundations, such as future self theory; moral muscle; narrative psychology; narrative impact; storytelling; sustainability; 

Study load

Three weeks before the meeting, you will receive a few articles to read and a short assignment to fulfill before the course. Each course day will consist of a (guest) lecture, and an (interactive) assignment. At the end of the course you will also fulfill a short online assignment. The total study load is: 2.5 ECTs.

Tags

• storytelling
• narrative
• psychology
• film
• literature
• identity
• moral muscle
• New Courses