Texts:
The Contemporary American Short Story, Longman Publishers, edited by B. Minh Nguyen and Porter Schreve.
Cakes and Ale, by W. Somerset Maugham. Vintage books, 2000.
Course Description:
In this course we will read a variety of contemporary short stories by American authors such as Bernard Malamud, John Cheever, Flannery O’Connor, Alice Walker, Raymond Carver, Gish Jen, and Junot Diaz. We will also read a novel by British novelist W. Somerset Maugham. In addition to these longer narratives we will look closely at the narrative poems of Larry Levis and Philip Levine, as well as taking a brief look at lyrical moments arising inside those narratives. The semester will be divided among the elements of narrative: part 1 will focus on image, setting and symbol; part 2 on plot and character; and part 3 on point of view, structure and style. By beginning our analysis with the various elements we will better understand how narratives are constructed. We will read for what happens next but more importantly for how the narrative is made. We want to read like writers. The sections this course is broken up into are devised to help us do this. In each section we will pay attention to historical context and the progress of literary influence.
Student Learning Goals:
At the completion of this course you should be able to:
--Identify and understand the varied characteristics of literature
--Apply the techniques of literary analysis to texts
--Use literary study to develop your skills in careful reading and clear writing
--Demonstrate an understanding of the diverse social and historical contexts
in which the assigned literary texts have been written and interpreted
Requirements:
Workload
1. Participation in class discussions
2. Three exams
3. Frequent pop quizzes or short assignments
4. One group presentation (on story due for respective date)
5. Final paper (5-8 pages)
Attendance
Since this course depends on a full and lively classroom, we all suffer when seats are empty. The attendance policy, therefore, is strict and absolute: Any unexcused absence will affect your grade. Perfect attendance will be rewarded. But if you miss three classes, each subsequent absence will cost you as much as a half letter grade.
Participation
Active participation in class and blackboard discussions is critical to the success of this class. Blackboard discussions may be sporadic according to when participants post messages, but these help us all prepare for the classroom discussions. Expect occasional quizzes.
Paper
You will have two due dates for the final paper: one for the one page prospectus and one for the final draft of five to eight pages. The prospectus and the paper should be typed, double-spaced, spell-checked, and proofread. Even though this is not a writing intensive class, I will nevertheless expect a strong standard of mechanical and stylistic proficiency. Good grammar, organization and clarity are integral to good ideas.
Late Work
Because of our tight schedule you need to get your prospectus in on time. You will be penalized accordingly if you do not. Also, I absolutely, positively, do not give makeup exams or accept late final papers.
Grades
The breakdown will be as follows:
Exam 1: 15%
Exam 2: 15%
Exam 3: 15%
Presentation: 15%
Final Paper: 15%
Participation: 25%
*Note: Participation includes quizzes, short assignments and class discussion.
Plagiarism and The University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s Academic Integrity Policy
You all know intuitively what plagiarism is: using someone else’s words or ideas and claiming them as your own. The thrust of this course is to think for yourself. Please don’t put me in the position of checking line with line, word with word. Plagiarism is an extremely serious matter. It can result in failure of this course and possible expulsion from this university. You are expected to have read the academic integrity policy of UNC-G as well. You will find a link to this on the university’s “Prospective Students” web page.
Tentative Schedule
*Note: Reading lists beneath each date should be read for that date. All readings are required unless marked “suggested.”
I. Image, Setting, Symbol
Mon. 8/15
Introduction
Going over syllabus, signing up for presentation dates, getting to know one
another
Wed 8/17
Image
“
A Brief History of the Short Story” p. xiii
“
Why Do We Read Short Stories?” p. xviii
“
Strays” Mark Richard
Fri. 8/19
“
Strays,” continued.
“
Satisfaction” Jayne Anne Phillips
Mon. 8/22:
“
Shiloh” Bobbie Anne Mason
Wed. 8/24
“
Shiloh” Bobbie Anne Mason
Presentation Discussion
Fri. 8/26
“
Gryphon” Charles Baxter
“
Language” (from “The Elements of Fiction”)
Mon. 8/29
“
The Lesson” Toni Cade Bambara
Wed. 8/31
Setting
“
Setting” (from “The Elements of Fiction”)
“
The Jewbird” Bernard Malamud
Fri. 9/2
“
The Moths”
Mon. 9/5
NO CLASS: LABOR DAY
Wed. 9/7
“
The Third and Final Continent” Jhumpa Lahiri
“
The Monkey Garden” Sandra Cisneros
Fri. 9/9
Symbol
Presentation 1: Alice Walker
“
Everyday Use” Alice Walker
Mon. 9/12
“Communist” Richard Ford
Wed. 9/14
“
Janus” Ann Beattie
Fri. 9/16
Presentation 2: Louise Erdrich
“
The Red Convertible” Louise Erdrich
Mon. 9/19
Exam 1
II. Plot, Character
Wed. 9/21
Plot
“
Plot” (from “The Elements of Fiction”)
“
Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” Joyce Carol Oates
Fri. 9/23
“
Why Is Your Writing So Violent?” Joyce Carol Oates
Mon. 9/26
Presentation 3: Flannery O’Connor
“
Everything That Rises Must Converge” Flannery O’Connor
Suggested Reading: “Writing Short Stories” Flannery O’Connor
Wed. 9/28
Presentation 4: Dorothy Allison
“
River of Names” Dorothy Allison
Suggested Reading: “Context” Dorothy Allison
Fri. 9/30
“
Conflict” (from “The Elements of Fiction”)
“
The Man Who Knew Belle Star” Richard Bausch
Suggested Reading: “Dear Writer” Richard Bausch
Mon. 10/3
Presentation 5: Raymond Carver
“
Cathedral” Raymond Carver
Suggested Reading: “On Writing” Raymond Carver
Final Paper Discussion
Wed. 10/5
Character
“
Character” (from “The Elements of Fiction”)
“
The Fat Girl” Andre Dubus
Fri. 10/7
“
The Birthday Party” Gina Berriault
Suggested Reading: “The Habit of Writing” Andre Dubus
Mon. 10/10 NO CLASS: FALL BREAK
Wed. 10/12
Presentation 6: Lorrie Moore
“
Which Is More Than I Can Say About Some People” Lorrie Moore
Fri. 10/14
“
The Hull Case” Peter Ho Davies
Mon. 10/17
“
Brothers and Sisters Around The World” Andrea Lee
Wed. 10/19
Presentation 7: Junot Diaz
“
Fiesta, 1980” Junot Diaz
Fri. 10/21
Exam 2
III. Point of View, Structure, Style
Mon. 10/24
Paper Prospectus Due
Final Paper Workshop
Wed. 10/26
Point of View
“Point of View and Voice” (from “The Elements of Fiction”)
“Emergency” Denis Johnson
Fri.. 10/28
“How To Talk To A Hunter” Pam Houston
Mon. 10/31
Presentation 8: Ha Jin
“The Woman From New York” Ha Jin
Wed. 11/2
Structure
Presentation 9: Tim O’Brien
“Structure” (from “The Elements of Fiction”)
“The Things The Carried” Tim O’Brien
Fri. 11/4
“Cakes and Ale” W. Somerset Maugham
Mon. 11/7
“Cakes and Ale” cont’d
Wed. 11/9
“Cakes and Ale” cont’d
Fri. 11/11
“
Cakes and Ale” cont’d
Mon. 11/14
Presentation 10: Charles Johnson
“
Menagerie, A Child’s Fable” Charles Johnson
Wed. 11/16
“
The Ones Who Walk Away From Omalas” Ursula K. Le Guin
Fri. 11/18
“
The Elizabeth Complex” Karen Jay Fowler
Mon. 11/21
“
Harrison Bergeron” Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
Wed. 11/23 NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING BREAK
Fri. 11/25 NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING BREAK
Mon. 11/28
“
My Flamboyant Grandson” George Saunders
Wed. 11/30
Narrative in Poetry
Philip Levine and Larry Levis (handouts)
Fri. 12/2
Philip Levine and Larry Levis (handouts)
Monday 12/5
Final Exam