Syllabus

[to be completed]

Short Story, a graduate course

Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch

Winter 1391 (2013)

Taught by: Negar Sharif   

Course Description and Objectives:This is a course for graduate students of English Literature to help them develop their ability to study short stories critically. The students are expected to read the assigned works of literature in depth and become familiar with the concepts and approaches regarding narrative techniques and literary analysis.

Course Requirements: The students are asked to study the text of the assigned stories and some other reading material. [The reading list will be introduced.] They are also expected to participate actively in class discussions, including the presentations and occasional essays. The assignments have to be handed in on the due dates.

Grading: class work (including all activities) 3 marks; essays and writing assignments 3 marks; final exam 14 marks

Readings: A list of short storiesis introduced. Some articles and book sections on different aspects of short story will be provided as part of requirements of the course or optional reading material.

Joyce Carol Oates, “Beginnings: The Origin and Art of the Short Story”   

Frank O'Connor, “Introduction” to The Lonely Voice: A Study of the Short Story 

Roland Barthes: “Introduction to the Structural Analysis of Narratives”

Hilary Siebert, “Social Critique and Story Technique in the Fiction of Raymond Carver”

Cynthia J. Hallett, “Minimalism and the Short Story”

Barry Sanders, “They All Laughed When I Sat Down to Write: Chaucer, Jokes, and the Short Story”

Syllabus:

 (NOTE: This syllabus is introduced only as a 'framework' for class discussions and further points.)

Session 1 Introduction, short story, structural analysis of narrative

Session 2 &3 Literary Work: “Overcoat”, Gogol

Suggested Discussion Topics: short story:beginning

Suggested Extra Reading:  Joyce Carol Oates, “Beginnings: The Origin and Art of the Short Story”

Suggested Extra Reading: Roland Barthes: “Introduction to the Structural Analysis of Narratives”

s. 4 Literary Work: “Mark on the Wall”, Virginia Woolf

Suggested Discussion Topics: impressionistic writing, modernism

Suggested Extra Reading: Frank O'Connor, “Introduction” to The Lonely Voice: A Study of the Short Story

s.5 Literary Work:   “A Rose for Emily”, William Faulkner     

Suggested Discussion Topics: modernist short story/ author/ stream of consciousness

Suggested Extra Reading: R. C. Feddersen, “Introduction: A Glance at the History of Short Story in English

s. 6 literary Work: “The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky”, Stephen Crane

Suggested Discussion Topics: humor in short story/ reliability of narrator/functions

Suggested Extra Reading: Barry Sanders, “They All Laughed When I Sat Down to Write: Chaucer, Jokes, and the Short Story”

s. 7 literary analysis workshop

Suggested Discussion Topics:  role ofsetting and atmosphere/

s.8 Literary Work: “ Recitatif ”,  Toni Morrison

Suggested Discussion Topics: gender issues and short story

s.9 Literary Work:  “All summer in a Day”, Ray Bradbury

Suggested Discussion Topics: science fiction/ fantasy and the fantastic

s.10 Literary Work:   “Cathedral”, Raymond Carver                 

Suggested Discussion Topics: Minimalism / flash fiction    

Suggested Extra Reading: Cynthia J. Hallett, “Minimalism and the Short Story”

s. 11 Literary Work: “The Glass Mountain”, Donald Barthelme

Suggested Discussion Topics: Postmodernist concept of identity

s.12 Literary Work: “A Very Old man with Enormous Wings”, Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Suggested Discussion Topics: Magic realism

s. 13 Literary Work: “The Moment before the Gun Went Off”, Nadine Gordimer

Suggested Discussion Topics:  race and postcolonial concerns

s. 14 & 15 Suggested Discussion Topic: contemporary short story

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