Welcome! This blog is attached to Erika Paterson’s ENGL 470 class at UBC. In this course, we will be discussing the intersections and departures of Canadian literature with particular regards to the intersections of European(/colonial) and Indigenous story telling. The way we will discuss story telling is not simply by assessing the act of story telling in literature, but also the act of story telling about literature. In this discussion, we will examine the power of story telling in how stories shape our lives (past, present and future) and thus, how we think about ourselves in relation to Canada. As a distance education course we are lucky enough to use digital platforms for online, self-directed community making and communication. Via blogging, commenting, Facebook connections, and an online conference, this group of students will develop skills in digital literacy and use the World Wide Web (WWW) to weave conversations into a spiderweb of enlightened knowledge and perspective.
I love stories. I love being told stories, I love reading stories, I love to dream about writing a story, and I love watching stories. So, I hope I come to love discussing the power of stories.
Here’s a tiny story about me: I was born and raised in Victoria on Vancouver Island and eventually moved to “the big city” when I decided to go to Capilano University for their Global Stewardship program. I won’t say much on the program- I did it; it was okay; I hope it has gotten better over the years- but I will say that I am very thankful to have moved to Vancouver and been given the opportunity to continue learning at UBC. I am currently finishing my BA in English Literature and GRSJ (Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice); it is actually due to being accepted into this course a month late that I will be able to have my degree finished by mid August this year! Initially, I didn’t consider this course in any way other than another requirement for my degree. However, after reflecting on the learning objectives of this class and making connections back to other classes I have taken, which have focused on topics such as story telling and nation building, I am very excited to work through how I am connected to stories (heard, created, and shared) about this place that I call home.
For those that are interested, here are some other facts to know about me:
- I am a complete nerd when it comes to things like Harry Potter, Buffy, Disney, and Star Wars.
- I have 2 dogs and am currently fostering a third (She is in great need of a home! Click here to find out more!)
- My eyes are different colours
- I’m addicted to coffee
- I’m equally addicted to books & reading
- I work for the UBC Writing Centre
- My favourite tattoos have been done by the wonderful Alison Woodward at The Fall Tattooing (…shameless marketing but it is because she is truly incredible)
I will leave you with this picture of my dogs, Benny & Ruby. Happy Monday!
Works Cited
Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. “The danger of a single story.” Online video clip. TED. TED, July 2009. Web. 6 June 2016.
“Alison Portfolio.” The FALL Tattooing, The FALL Tattooing. n.d. Web. 6 June 2016.
Barnett, Mac. “Why a good book is a secret door.” Online video clip. TED. TED, June. 2014. Web. 6 June 2016.
Enns, Angela. “Dachsund & Friends Rescue Team.” Facebook, Dachshund & Friends Rescue Team. n.d. Web. 6 June 2016.
Palmer, Amanda. “The art of asking.” Online video clip. TED. TED, February 2013. Web. 6 June 2016.