COL201 - Writing Short Fiction: A Creative Writing Seminar and Workshop

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Academic Year 2003/2004

Writing Short Fiction: A Creative Writing Seminar and Workshop
COL 201 FA

This course may be repeated for credit.

In this creative writing course, students will analyze the narrative techniques of twentieth century modern masters of the short story such as Italo Calvino, William Faulkner, Bernard Malamud, Alice Munro and Flannery O'Connor. Students will study various ways to structure narratives and develop characters; examine problems affecting narrative distance and perspective in third- and first-person stories; explore sophisticated narrative techniques involving parallel and non-chronological plots, stories-within-stories, and characters who take over narratives; and discuss ways of plotting long stories or novellas and organizing short story collections. After writing original stories employing narrative techniques learned in class, students will share their writing in workshops. This course has demanding reading and writing assignments. Students interested in the course should contact the instructor before the beginning of the semester and submit writing samples.

MAJOR READINGS

Flannery O'Connor, COLLECTED STORIES
William Faulkner, UNCOLLECTED STORIES
Richard Bausch, SPIRITS
John Steinbeck, THE PASTURES OF HEAVEN

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Students will read approximately 200 pages of fiction per week, and write 30-40 pages of short fiction during the semester.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Prospective students must contact instructor before the semester begins, and submit a writing sample up to 20 pages in length. In rare cases, freshmen may be admitted to the class.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: HA COL Grading Mode: Student Option

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Sharp,Paula

Times: .M..... 04:10PM-07:00PM; Location: BTFDC210

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 12)

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal: Writing

Permission: Permission of Instructor Required

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004