Learning objectives
Great American Short Stories from Poe to the Present
"A short story is a different thing altogether—a short story is like a kiss in the dark from a stranger."
—Stephen King, Skeleton Crew
In this course we will read a wide variety of short stories from the early nineteenth century to the present, ranging in style from realism to minimalism and postmodernism. In addition to the major aspects of story/plot, character, point of view, narrative voice, and setting, our discussion will focus on the ways in which the texts we will discuss in class resonate with current issues and debates in American culture and the world at large. Readings will include short fiction by some of America’s most celebrated writers (Poe, Hemingway, Carver, King, Eugenides, Lahiri, Wallace, and Roupenian), as well as critical essays on short story theory.
Over the course of the semester students will
• be introduced to the history of the American short story.
• be encouraged to discuss the central ideas of a wide variety of short stories and reflect on how the stories they will read in class might relate to their own experience.
• develop the critical skills necessary to understand and analyze complex literary texts in relation to historical and cultural contexts.
• learn to identify rhetorical devices within literary texts and understand how writers use them to achieve particular stylistic effects.
Prerequisites
No previous knowledge of American literature is required.
Course unit content
This is a survey course designed to introduce students to the history of the American short story.
Full programme
The course schedule below is tentative and subject to change. We may change the order of the classes or make minor adjustments to the content as the class progresses. Changes to the syllabus or course schedule will be announced in class and communicated via email. You are responsible for checking your campus email on a daily basis.
The readings should be prepared for the day they are listed in the syllabus. Come to class ready to actively engage the texts assigned for the week. Preparing some questions and comments in advance and thinking about how the day’s readings resonate with those already encountered are good ways to prepare. All students are expected to bring printed copies of both the required readings and the recommended readings to class.
RQ = required readings RC = recommended readings
[1] T April 11
Introduction to the course (syllabus & course requirements)
[2] Th April 13
• Kristen Roupenian, “Death Wish” [RQ]
[3] F April 14
• Jhumpa Lahiri, “The Third and Final Continent” [RQ]
[4] T April 18
• J. D. Salinger, “A Perfect Day for Bananafish” [RQ]
[5] Th April 20
• Raymond Carver, “They’re Not Your Husband” [RQ]; “On Writing” [RC]
[6] F April 21
• Stephen King, “Introduction” [RQ]; “Premium Harmony” [RQ]
• David Foster Wallace, “Other Math” [RQ]
[7] T April 25 (no class)
[8] Th April 27 (feedback day)
• William Faulkner “A Rose for Emily” [RQ]
[9] F April 28
• Edgar Allan Poe, “The Masque of the Red Death” [RQ]; “On Short Fiction” (59-69) [RC]
[10] T May 2
• Dorothy Parker, “A Telephone Call” [RQ]
• Joyce Carol Oates, “The Woman in the Window” [RQ]
• Roland Barthes, “Waiting” [RC]
[11] Th May 4
Presentation of the American Studies Initiative in Literature, with the participation of representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Italy and the Italian Association for North American Studies. N.B.: all students taking this class are expected to attend this event!
• A. K. Blue, “Empress Susanna” [RC]
[12] F May 5
• Nathaniel Hawthorne, “The Birth-Mark” [RQ]
[13] T May 9
• Jeffrey Eugenides, “Fresh Complaint” [RQ]
[14] Th May 11
• Ernest Hemingway, “Hills Like White Elephants” [RQ]
• Denis Johnson, “Dirty Wedding” [RQ]
[15] F May 12
Course wrap-up
Bibliography
All readings will be posted on Elly.
Teaching methods
This is primarily a discussion-based course, so active participation and class discussion will be encouraged. Reading will be kept to a manageable amount, but regular class attendance is strongly recommended. The course will be taught in English.
BASIC ETIQUETTE, SMARTPHONES, LAPTOPS & OTHER TECHNOLOGY
Please...
• If you have to miss a class, I would appreciate it if you would let me know in advance.
• Arrive on time and leave at the end.
• Do not read material unrelated to the course in class.
• Turn off your smartphones before class.
• Use your laptops only for taking notes.
• Keep in mind that recording of class sessions is not allowed.
• If you have to miss a class, I would appreciate it if you would let me know in advance
Assessment methods and criteria
Students will be evaluated through an oral exam covering all course materials. The exam begins with the student giving a short presentation in English on a topic/author/short story of his/her choice from the syllabus (this part of the exam will last 7-10 minutes). Additionally, students should be prepared to answer 2-3 questions related to course material. Students who would like to be exempted from the first part of the oral exam can choose to write short reaction pieces in lieu of giving the presentation. This option is called “portfolio project,” and students who opt for it will have to write 2 short reaction pieces of about 150-170 words each week (starting with week 2). Reactions must be about the readings listed on the syllabus and should be submitted through Elly by 11 pm of the day before the class meeting in which the text will be discussed. Make sure to keep a hard copy of each assignment you submit. More details during the first class. Unless otherwise arranged, students must attend the oral exam in person.
The Italian university grading system for course exams is based on a 30-point scale (grades below 18 are considered failing). For additional information on grading, please contact the Department Secretary at dusic.didattica@unipr.it or consult the Exchange Student Handbook.
Grading scale:
28-30 cum laude = excellent
26-27 = good
24-25 = satisfactory
18-23 = passing
below 18 = fail
Other information
Please note that this syllabus is valid until the Spring 2024 exam session [syllabus version ENv1.0--last updated 16.03.2023].
