THIS IS A ONE-SEMESTER COURSE.

In this course, students will read a variety of short stories from a number of authors, including Mark Twain, Edgar Allen Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Franz Kafka, Ring Lardner, O Henry, Shirley Jackson, Flannery O’Connor, and more. The students will analyze the stories on the basis of plot, character development, genre, and theme, identifying the prose styles of the various authors. They will also discuss various cultural and social issues that are dealt with in the stories. At the end of the course, the students will each complete a final project for which they will write their own short story.

Class Meetings: Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time
Dates: January 13 – May 12, 2027*
*Please note that there will be no class meeting on March 31, 2027.

Student Expectations: There will be weekly reading and writing assignments. Students should plan on about one to three hours of homework per week.

Student Support: The instructor is available via email, as well as by phone call or text.

Feedback/Assessment: The instructor will provide detailed feedback on all submitted assignments, both in writing and during each class session.

Materials/Supplies: The instructor will provide all required texts and resources as PDFs or Google docs.