Katherine Culpepper

Division ll Work
Why do we tell stories? That is the central question of my Division II concentration. What function do stories serve within a culture? How does the individual develop within a given culture or subculture? What narratives do they share to describe how they see the world? Do narratives develop identity or to what degree is identity shaped by the narratives of a society? How does an individual's conscious or unconscious lens of culture impact their storytelling?

For my concentration, I am interested in pursuing storytelling through a variety of meduims, with a particular focus on development of the self in society. A compelling story profoundly impacts an audience by communicating an understanding of human beings and cultural context. The medium that the artist or social scientist uses can obviously make a huge difference in the final result, but at the core, all excellent narrative is about a unique way of seeing and relating a new perspective.

My primary Division II focus will be on becoming an excellent and engaging storyteller in a variety of mediums and disciplines. In particular, the mediums will be short story fiction writing, social science non-fiction writing and film interpretation. The disciplines I want to explore include: literature, creative writing, film, other media arts, anthropology and sociocultural developmental psychology. This interdisciplinary approach will allow me to investigate the impact of cultural and psychological factors on character development in every good story. Effective storytelling also impacts readers leading to changes that shape society.

Academic Work
Spring 2011


 * Social Psych of Organizations 216 at Mount Holyoke College

with Patricia Romney

Fall 2010 


 *   SEM:DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 333 Identity in Psychology, Fiction and Autobiography (Smith) Bill Peterson
 * War, Reconciliation and Forgivness     Meagher

Summer 2010


 * Where Three Streams Meet: Exploring Celtic Spirituality  Ireland Short-term Field Course

Spring 2010


 * Narrative Theory Independent Study
 * Critical Psychology      Peter Gilford
 * Critical Ethnography Kimberly Chang
 * Ancient Ireland            Robert Meagher

Fall 2009 


 * Ways of Knowing in the Social Sciences
 * Feminist Fictions
 * Introduction to Media Arts

Student Government Involvement

 * School of Critical Social Inquiry (CSI) Student member  (Fall 2010 - Fall 2011)
 * EPCStudent Rep         (Fall 2011)


 * Community Council At Large Member   (Fall 2010)
 * SafeCom              Sub - Committee   (Fall 2010)

Group Involvement

 * SEARCH
 * CommunityCouncil At - large Member (Fall 2010)
 * SafeComSub - Committee (Fall 2010)
 * Historical Reenactment Society
 * Fencing
 * CBD Culture, Brain and Development Student Group ( Fall 2009 - Present )
 * Re-Rad
 * Chair Massage program ( Fall 2009 - Spring 2010 )
 * Governace System
 * Orientation Leader (Fall 2010)