本课程探究的是，当叙事文本从印刷时代走入数位时代时，所具有的非序列性、多轴线、与互动形式的特质。本课程所涵盖的作品包括犹太法典、经典非线性小说、实验文学、早期的影音实验、到近年来的多轴线与互动电影、互动游戏。这一类的叙事文本以叉题、多重观点、时空与故事轴线的断裂作为其叙事手法，在解释其结构特质时，本课程将佐以作者／读者关系、剧情／故事、数位媒体与超文本的相关理论。本课程将谈到以下问题：“如何定义‘非序列性／多轴线’、‘互动’、‘叙事文本’。以上这些层面有多少程度是受文本、读者、以及数位形式的影响？读者与作者的角色定位为何？何种叙事文本特别适合发展成非序列性／互动形式？是否存在只适合数位形式的故事？有什么东西是我们可以从过去非数位形式的非线性互动故事中学到的？

This course explores the properties of non-sequential, multi-linear, and interactive forms of narratives as they have evolved from print to digital media. Works covered in this course range from the Talmud, classics of non-linear novels, experimental literature, early sound and film experiments to recent multi-linear and interactive films and games. The study of the structural properties of narratives that experiment with digression, multiple points of view, disruptions of time, space, and of storyline is complemented by theoretical texts about authorship/readership, plot/story, properties of digital media and hypertext. Questions that will be addressed in this course include: How can we define 'non-sequentiality/multi-linearity', 'interactivity', 'narrative'. To what extend are these aspects determined by the text, the reader, the digital format? What are the roles of the reader and the author? What kinds of narratives are especially suited for a non-linear/interactive format? Are there stories that can only be told in a digital format? What can we learn from early non-digital examples of non-linear and interactive story telling?