Course Description
This course will focus on an intensive study of the American short story. The reading ranges from works by Washington Irving, Hawthorne, and Poe, to contemporary writers like Annie Proulx, Edwidge Danticat, Mary Gaitskill, and Tim O'Brien. Many other major American authors will also be studied, including Twain, Chopin, Cather, Hemingway, Faulkner, Fitzgerald, Baldwin, and Carver. The course will consider a variety of cultures and viewpoints but will stress the uniquely American nature of the readings. Criticism and commentary by some of the authors will also be considered. (3 credits)
Prerequisites
- ENG 101: English Composition 1
- ENG 102: English Composition 2
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the basic elements of American short fiction, including plot, character, theme, symbolism, irony, and setting
- Write about literature in a meaningful, thoughtful way, carefully examining the intent of the authors as well as the interpretations made by readers
- Articulate a vision of American life as seen through the eyes of the authors studied in the course
- Demonstrate an understanding of traditions and themes in American literature
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of literary criticism
- Explain how the arts, and short fiction in particular, helped to shape American society
General Education Outcomes (GEOs)
Please check the applicable GEOs for this course, if any, by outcomes at GEO Discipline Search.
Course Activities and Grading
Assignments | Weight |
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Essay #1 | 20% |
Essay #2 | 20% |
Participation in Weekly Discussion Boards | 30% |
Comprehensive Final Exam | 30% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
Available through Charter Oak’s online bookstore
- Charters, Ann. Story and Its Writer: An Introduction to Short Fiction. 10th ed. Bedford Books, 2019. ISBN-10: 1319105602 or ISBN-13: 9781319105600
Course Schedule
Week | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
1 | 1-6 | Module 1: Precursors of the American Short Story & The Early Nineteenth Century: 1819 - 1860
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2 | 1-6 | Module 2: The Late Nineteenth Century: 1861 - 1899
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3 | 1-6 | Module 2: The Late Nineteenth Century: 1861 - 1899 (cont.)
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4 | 1-6 | Module 3: The Early Twentieth Century: 1900 - 1940
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5 | 1-6 | Module 3: The Early Twentieth Century: 1900 - 1940 (cont.)
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6 | 1-6 | Module 4: Mid-Twentieth Century
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7 | 1-6 | Module 5: Mid-Twentieth Century (cont.)
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8 | 1-6 | Module 5: Late Twentieth Century: 1966 - Present
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Final Exam SLOs 1-6 |
COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.