MA only: Contemporary American Fiction:
This course will explore the diverse landscape of contemporary literature in North America, mainly through the form of the short story. Authors will include Annie Proulx, David Foster Wallace, Lydia Davis, Dorothy Allison, Maxine Hong Kingston, Tim O’Brien, and Octavia Butler. Designed specifically for Master’s students, the aims of the class are to expose advanced students to the principle trends, forms and genres of contemporary fiction in the United States, including the recent wave of multicultural and experimental (some call them post-postmodern) writers. Students will also strengthen their critical reading, thinking and rhetorical speaking skills through class discussions, which will be lead by students themselves. Validation will be based on a short written midterm assignment (3-5 pages), a longer final essay (10-15 pages), and a class discussion.