EDEN 531: The Long and the Short of it: The Short Story in World Literature

Stephen York, Academic Dean

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

“Stories have the power to direct and change our lives.” -Nel Noddings

The short story genre is considered through the work of more than 50 renowned writers from around the world. Through extensive reading and reflection, students will understand about fiction, experience critical approaches to fiction, and master literary terms and concepts. The study considers the authors’ lives, and the socio-cultural-political influences on their work. Students will write critiques and short stories as a part of this study.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Identify the elements of the short story within a variety of world literature.
Articulate literary criticism theories.
Create two short stories in final form. One may be “flash fiction”.
Connect the socio-cultural-political influences on the lives and work of notable short story writers.
Demonstrate a mastery of literary terms and concepts.
Provide evidence of utilization of 21st Century competencies.

REQUIRED MATERIAL:

Gioia, Dana, and R.S. Gwynn. The Art of the Short Story. New York: Pearson, 2006.