English 382 - Advanced Short Story Writing

Douglas Bauer

T 1-2:50 p.m.

This course will continue the exploration and practice of writing and analytically discussing short stories, following closely the weekly round-table routine established in English 296.  Students should either have successfully completed 296, or be writing independently at a fairly sophisticated level, one that reflects both an understanding of the form and the potential for translating that knowledge into fully realized stories.  Discussions of published fiction will be a strategic feature of the class, in order to offer successful examples of whatever issue of craft is being analyzed: narrative voice, persuasive characters, the context of the story's events, etc.  Applicants should submit one completed story, up to 20 pages in length, which they consider finished and a reflection of their best work to date.  Admission will be by permission of the instructor.