Universität Wien
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123211 VO Literatures in English (2011W)

American Short Fiction from Naturalism to Postmodernism

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik

ACHTUNG ZEIT-/ORTÄNDERUNG!!!
Vorlesung von Mittwoch 16:45-18:15 C2 auf Montag 10-12 Uhr im Unterrichtsraum verschoben

Details

max. 80 participants
Language: English

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Monday 10.10. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 17.10. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 24.10. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 31.10. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 07.11. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 14.11. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 21.11. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 28.11. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 05.12. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 12.12. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 09.01. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 16.01. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Monday 23.01. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

By the end of the 19th century the American short story, which had seen major practitioners (e.g., E.A. Poe, N. Hawthorne etc.) holding their own against British fiction, entered a new phase. The formula story with the well-built plot was gradually abandoned and the quasi-realistic patterns of the local color movement gave way to realism and naturalism. The survey to be offered of the development of this productive genre in the 20th century will select representative examples from the wide range of North American short fiction, focusing, for instance, on the emergence of regional variants, especially in the American South, and illustrating characteristic thematic patterns, such as the initiation story. The refinement of narrative techniques in modernist texts and the later shift to postmodernist approaches as well as the inclusion of the ethnic experience in US American short fiction will be considered.

In addition, the emergence of short fiction writers in Canada, who were originally indebted to US American authors but who by the 1960s contributed significantly to the international recognition of Canadian literature, will be discussed. Attention will be paid to the diversity of voices in Canadian short fiction, which continues to reflect both the diversity of the Canadian regions and the various ethnic components in multicultural Canada.

Assessment and permitted materials

Written final test

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The lecture course is intended to make students familiar with the development of this productive literary genre both in the USA and in Canada in the 20th century. The suitability of short fiction for work with advanced learners of English in high schools and the potential insights into the reflection of social, literary and cultural trends in fiction will be kept in mind in this advanced survey course.

Examination topics

Lecture course will be supported by excerpts from films and other visual material and popular media (power point presentation will support the course). Students are encouraged to actively participate in discussions.

Reading list

A comprehensive reader containing examples of the evolution of this genre will be available at Copy Studio (Schwarzspanierstraße) and from Friday 22.7.2011 onwards at the Centre of Canadian Studies/Zentrum für Kanadastudien. A reserved shelf will be provided in the Departmental Library.

Association in the course directory

Studium: Diplom 343, UF 344, ME 812, MA 844;
Code/Modul: Diplom 321, 326/328, 336/338, 721-723, UF 4.2.4-321, ME1, MA1;
Lehrinhalt: 12-0115

Last modified: We 09.09.2020 00:22