Anglo-American Short Stories
영미단편소설 / EL4134
This course will focus on the short story (short fiction) genre. The course will be ordered thematically, allowing for group discussions and response writing. While the course is ordered thematically, a focus will be given to different story elements such as character, conflict and plot, atmosphere (setting, time & tone), and narration & point-of-view). There will also be a creative writing component.
Please note that once a story has been assigned for reading, you may expect a comprehension quiz to follow at the next meeting.
Textbook:
There is no single prescribed textbook for this class. Handouts of stories that are in the public domain (i.e. no copyright) will be provided. You may have to buy some stories during the semester. The total expense will not exceed thirty dollars.
Assessment Weight:
Midterm Examination = 15%
Final Examination = 15%
Attendance = 10%
Homework = 30%
Class Discussions & Presentations = 30%
Total = 100%
Tentative Lecture Plan
Week 1:
Orientation
Introduction to Main Elements of a Short Story
Week 2:
Frank R. Stockton, "The Lady or the Tiger"
Week 3:
Edgar Allan Poe, "The Cask of Amontillado"
Discussion Reading: Thomas M. Disch "The Dreams our Stuff Is Made Of"
Week 4:
Kurt Vonnegut, "Harrison Bergeron"
Discussion Reading: Naomi Wolf, "Facist America in 10 Easy Steps"
Week 5:
Oscar Wilde, "The Canterville Ghost"
Week 6:
Maurice Sendak, "Where the Wild Things Are"
Week 7:
Writing your own illustrated children's story.
Week 8:
Midterm Examination
Week 9:
H. G. Wells, "The Country of the Blind"
Discussion Reading: James Baldwin, "Stranger in the Village"
Week 10:
Flannery O'Connor, "A Good Man is Hard to Find"
Week 11:
Shirley Jackson, "The Lottery"
Watch the film "The Hunger Games"
Week 12:
Discussion of "The Lottery" & "The Hunger Games"
Week 13:
Raymond Carver, "A Small Good Thing"
Week 14:
Writing a Short Story
Week 15:
Final Examination