Human beings have, and have always had, a driving need to tell and absorb stories. They are vital for our survival in so many ways. This class will focus on storytelling from it's earliest known formations to it's contemporary expressions in literature, art, performance, music, and film. We will look at the shapes of stories. What makes an effective story? Where do stories come from? We will range from the Ancient Greek "invocation of the muse", and the understanding of story as a gift from the gods, to Romantic and contemporary conceptions of "genius" and the stereotype of the solitary artist. What is the nature of the creative imagination? We will also look at the way in which cultural forces effect the formation and reception of stories. I hope to show students some of the best and most beautiful stories I know, and I hope that they in turn will come prepared to share their favorites.