The Short Story in America (U01387)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : LLC-4-U01387

Taking as a basis for each week's seminar some works of a major short story writer or writers, this course will consider, cumulatively, the 'Americanness' of American short stories; to what extent they may legitimately (as has frequently been claimed) be regarded as the quintessential American form of literary expression; structure and form; specific American theories of the short story; literary production and the marketplace; short stories and literary journals; the short story collection or cycle; anthologising short stories; framed narratives. The range of reading should also provide a preliminary map through American writing for those unfamiliar with the literature.

Entry Requirements

? This course is not available to visting students.

? Pre-requisites : Passes in English or Scottish Literature 1 and English or Scottish or American Literature 2, with a mark of 50 or above at the first attempt in the second year course. Passes in third year courses in the subject area amounting to at least 40 credits.

? Special Arrangements for Entry : Numbers are limited to 15, with priority given to students taking degrees involving English or Scottish Literature and Visiting Students placed by the Admissions Office. Students not in these categories need the written approval of the Head of English Literature before enrolling. In the case of excess applications places will be decided by ballot.

? Costs : Essential course texts

Subject Areas

Home subject area

English Literature, (School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, Schedule G)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : To be arranged/Unknown

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

? Other Required Attendance : 1 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Familiarity with a wide range of American short stories written between 1800 and 2000; working knowledge of short story theories and appropriate deployment of these in analysis of texts discussed on the course; ability to relate texts to conditions of literary production, the marketplace and journalistic culture. An awareness of broad trends and characteristics of American literary culture in the nineteenth and twentieth century. Enhanced appreciation of and capacity to articulate the technical, formal and aesthetic qualities of short stories.