EDEN 538: The American Short Story
A Guided Independent Study 4.5 CEUs
Call for Instructor Availability - This has an Open Enrollment
Dr. Stephen York, Instructor
Course Description:
The short story is considered through the lens of classical and contemporary American writers. Through extensive reading and reflection, students will understand the various elements of the American short story and historical perspectives of the genre. They will learn how to write about fiction, experience critical approaches to fiction, and master literary terms and concepts. The study also considers authors' lives and the socio-cultural-political influences on their work. Participants may explore ways of connecting American writers to students in their work. Participants may explore ways of connecting American writers to students in PreK-12 classrooms.
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify authors of classical and contemporary American short stories from Washington Irving to the 21st Century.
- Articulate the connections between the American short story, geography of place, and community building.
- Create a standards-based unit with appropriate models of instruction and assessment.
- Connect the socio-cultural-political influences on the lives and work of notable American short story writers.
- Demonstrate a mastery of literary terms and concepts.
- Provide evidence of utilization of 21st Century competencies.
Course Textbook:
Scofield, Martin. The Cambridge Introduction to the American Short Story (Cambridge Introductions to Literature). New York: Cambridge University Press, 2006.