Class Detail

Introduces contemporary short fiction, exploring works written in English and in translation from the last 25 years. Through readings and literary criticism, students examine how the genre both adheres to and challenges conventions, focusing on moments of truth and narrative structures. Explores how the short story has been historically marginalized compared to the novel, and how this has allowed it to address stigmatized topics and amplify new voices.

From the instructor: This class introduces students to a wide range of contemporary short fiction written in English and in translation. By reading short stories of the last twenty-five years alongside literary criticism about the genre, we will examine how contemporary short fiction both draws on and upends conventions, from its attention to moments of truth to narrative structures. Our main question will be, What does the short story look like today? We will also consider how the short story form has been historically devalued within the global literary arena, particularly in relation to the novel, and how its marginalized status has made the genre a compelling form for documenting stigmatized or sidelined subject matters as well as bringing out new voices. Our readings will focus in particular on exciting horizons within the short story form, including short shorts, animal fables, fairy-tales, and speculative fiction. Students can submit creative or critical work for almost all assignments.

Days & Times	Room	Instructor	Meeting Dates
MW 01:00PM-04:30PM	N. Sci Annex 103	Polzin,M.	07/28/25 - 08/29/25