Culture x Technology: Digital Storytelling through Mythology and Animation Creation

Culture x Technology: Digital Storytelling through Mythology and Animation Creation

Programme Overview

How did our world come to be? What is the origin of humankind? What caused the great flood that echoes across global mythologies, and how was it finally subdued?

This interdisciplinary course blends animated storytelling with digital humanities to explore ancient mythology. Utilizing both online and in-person teaching to offer a flexible and engaging learning experience, the course aims to merge traditional humanities research—literature, history, religion, and anthropology—with advanced animation techniques and visual narrative creation.

Drawing inspiration from a bestselling children’s book series, students will have the chance to create their own mythological tales and bring them to life through animation. These innovative projects may be showcased in international animated film festivals and/or competitions, providing a global platform for student creativity.

Programme Details

• • • Programme Code: CET202502
    • Programme Period: May – August 2025
    • Targeted Students: Age 14 – 16 (Grade 8 to Grade 10, Secondary 2 to Secondary 4)
    • Programme Fee: Non-refundable application fee: HKD 60; Payment due 5 days after receiving offer letter
      • Non-members: HKD 53,000
      • Members: HKD 48,000
      • [Accommodation in HKU NOT included. See below for HKU accommodation fees]

Programme Structure

1. Online sessions (Preparatory classes): A 3-hour online session will take place prior to the in-person class
   • Lectures and discussions on ancient mythology
   • Lectures and tutorials covering fundamental animation techniques

2. In-Person Culture and Animation Workshop: Intensive 8-day class at HKU from July 20-27
   • Immersive culture and animation workshops to help students create their own mythological tales
   • Collaborative project work where students create and present animated interpretations of ancient myths

3. Online wrap-up session: An opportunity to refine and finalize their projects.
   • Refining and polishing student projects for future film festivals and research opportunities

Programme Instructors:

• • • Johannes DeYoung (http://www.art.cmu.edu/people/johannes-deyoung/), Associate Professor of Electronic and Time-Based Media at Carnegie Mellon University, is an internationally recognized artist and filmmaker who works at the intersection of computational and material processes. His moving-image works have been exhibited internationally at venues such as: Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Alicante, Alicante, Spain; Festival ECRÃ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taichung, Taiwan; B3 Biennale of the Moving Image, Frankfurt en Main, Germany; Hesse Flatow (Crush Curatorial), Jeff Bailey Gallery, Robert Miller Gallery, Interstate Projects, Eyebeam, and MoMA PS1 Print Studio, New York, NY; as well as numerous festival screenings in countries such as Australia, Greece, Ireland, New Zealand, Turkey, and Vietnam.

• • • Liu Gang (https://www.cmu.edu/dietrich/modlang/about-us/filter/faculty/gang-liu.html) is a Teaching Professor of Chinese Studies at Carnegie Mellon University and the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Department ofLanguages Cultures and Applied Linguistics. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Chinese Language Teachers Association (CLTA) in U.S.A.. He received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and two Master’s degrees from the University of Western Ontario and Beijing Language and Culture University. He designed and/or taught many interdisciplinary courses including “AI for Humanities: The Multi-dimensions of World Languages, Arts, and Cultures,” “Multimedia Narratives: Crafting Culture in the Digital Age,” “Story + Game Lab: Oracle Bones & China’s Earliest Writing,” “Immersive Digital Storytelling: Using VR/AR to Explore Language Culture Identity,” and “Interdisciplinary Exploration: Chinese Mythology and Animation Creation.” He co-edited/authored four books published by Peking University Press. He is also the author of the children’s book series Luoluo ting’s Adventure in Ancient Chinese Mythology.

Accommodation:

Summer Camp @HKU (July 21 – 27, 2025):

• • • Accommodation at HKU should be applied for separately in Spring 2025, and applicants must be at least 15 years old.
    • Applicants under 15 years old are required to arrange their own outside accommodation accompanied by a guardian.

HKU Accommodation Programme Code: ACC07

• • • HKU Hall of Residence.
      • Check-in date: July 20, 2025
      • Check-out date: July 28, 2025

Application and Registration

• • • Programme application link: https://actstudentapp.hku.hk/student

1. 1. Register an account through the link and log into the application system after receiving the email activation link. If you already have an account, you can log in directly.
   2. Select Apply Now under 2025 Application.
   3. Fill in your personal information, academic profile.
   4. At “Programme Selection” add programme “Culture x Technology: Digital Storytelling”.
   5. Upload scanned copies of the required supporting documents and other application materials, then select “Confirm & Submit”.

Application Criteria (Self-introduction video or Essay):

• • • One-minute self-introduction video (upload the link) OR
    • Short essay (300 words): Why you are an ideal candidate for this programme?

Application Deadline: April 22, 2025

*The programme is subject to cancellation if there are insufficient applications.

*Disclaimer: Programme contents and formats are subject to change. We will continue to work closely with professors to refine our programme and ensure that students will have a safe and enjoyable time. Programme fees and application fees are non-refundable.