Classics of Modern Short Fiction (In-Person)

This course is a unique opportunity to study and discuss a variety of the seminal authors of the last two centuries by reading their short fiction. Led by writer, editor, and professor Joseph Reynolds, the seminar will be driven by open forum discussion and everyone will have the opportunity to articulate their perspective and debate a wide range of interpretations. Short fiction is the perfect opportunity to become familiar (or more familiar) with classic, important, and controversial writers without having to devote the time it takes to read and interpret a novel. It also allows us to study a much larger number of authors than we’d be able to a novel course. Most of the works are publicly available by googling the titles. There are a few short stories that will be provided via PDF prior to the start of the class. 

Wednesday, 10/11 - Jorge Luis Borges - The Library of Babel (Argentina)

                                 Edith Wharton - Roman Fever (America)

Wednesday, 10/18 - Payal Nagpal - The Cloud God (India) 

                                 Stephanie Pushaw - Stage Two (America)

Tuesday, 10/24 -  Virginia Woolf - The Mark on the Wall (England)

                             Da Chen - The Chinese Nebraskan (China)

Wednesday, 11/1 - Tim O’Brien - The Things They Carried (America): https://jerrywbrown.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/The-Things-They-Carried-Chapter-1-OBrien-Tim.pdf

                              Jean Paul Sartre - The Wall (France)

Wednesday, 11/8 - Brenda Flanagan - In Praise of Island Women (Trinidad) 

                               Frank O’Connor - Guests of a Nation (Ireland)

Tuesday, 11/14 - Edna O’Brien - The Love Object (Ireland)

                               Raymond Carver - Cathedral ( America)