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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "EN 211"
COURSE NAME: "The Short Story"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Summer Session I 2024
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Stephanie Richards
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MTWTH 11:10 AM 1:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: EN110 with a grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
By examining short stories, this course develops students’ critical abilities in reading and writing about narrative fiction. The students are introduced to a comparative perspective on literature and learn to identify and evaluate the short story’s formal elements, acquiring the skill to read fiction critically, to look beyond the content, to appreciate the ambiguities and complexities of the literary text, and to communicate their findings in critical papers of academic quality. The selection of short stories may vary, offering a historical perspective, a thematic one, or a selection of masterpieces in the genre.This is a reading and writing intensive course. Students in 200-level literature classes are required to produce 4-5,000 words of critical writing.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
"A short story is a love affair, a novel is a marriage. A short story is a photograph; a novel is a film" writes the American short story author Lorrie Moore. The genre is more compact, but not less complicated. It covers less ground without renouncing the breadth of any one experience.
The short story is ideally suited, in terms of length and variety, to the identification of basic elements of fiction and to stimulate a critical approach to literature. The course focuses on this form of narrative in a comparative perspective, with a selection of short stories by authors of different nationality.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will learn to look beyond content, to read texts critically, to construct an argument and to formulate their ideas in writing. They will understand and employ critical terms and develop their writing skills to compose essays of academic quality, using textual evidence effectively and making competent use of critical sources.
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Participation | active engagement and preparation is essential; silent attendance does not mean class participation | 10% |
| Short paper | 1500 words on a topic to be decided with the professor | 35% |
| Outline for final research paper | A preliminary outline for the final paper with an annotated bibliography | 15% |
| Final research paper | 2500 words on a topic to be decided with the professor; outside research from academic sources is required | 40% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.
Students cannot be absent more than four class periods. Five or more absences will result in automatic failure. Two tardies equal one absence.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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Note: this schedule is subject to change. Please follow the Moodle course for the most updated course schedule with readings. Short stories will be posted on Moodle.
Week 1- Introduction to the Course.
The Fascination of narrative: fables, parables, tales and stories. Read Abbott, chap. 1
Elements of Fiction: Read Abbott, chap. 2.
Week 2 – Short paper due
Elements of Fiction: Plot. Read Abbott, chap. 3
Read. Abbott, chap. 4
Week 3 Select a topic for the final research paper
Elements of Fiction: Setting. Read Abbott, chap. 5
Elements of Fiction: Style, Tone. Read Abbott, chap. 6
Week 4 Submit an outline for the final research paper
Read Abbott, chap. 10
Elements of Fiction: Imagery and Symbol.
Read Abbott, chap.11
Week 5 – Final research paper due.
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