ENH2770

Short fiction: classic and contemporary

Proposed to be offered next in 1999

P Ayres

8 points
* 2.5 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton

Objectives On successfully completing this subject students should have gained a good understanding of the elements of fiction; be able to apply theories of narratology to the analysis of the short story; and be familiar with over fifty world-class authors from a wide range of cultures and periods.

Synopsis The subject provides a historical and theoretical introduction to the short story, using a wide range of examples from Britain, the United States and Australia as well as a few from Russia, France, Japan, South Africa, South America and Ireland. Stories are selected in order to illustrate key elements and modes of fiction and narratological issues, which may be studied with particular advantage in such a concentrated literary form. Approximately four stories will be studied each week. Slides are screened weekly to contextualise authors and stories.

Assessment Long essay (3000 words): 50%
* Examination (1 hour): 20%
* Seminar participation including seminar paper rewritten as first essay (2000 words): 30%

Prescribed texts

Bohner C (ed.) Short fiction classic and contemporary 3rd edn, Prentice-Hall