Comparative Literature 121 - International Short Story

Russian, Czech, German, French, Italian, Spanish, English, American, and Latin-American stories from Romanticism to the present. Fantastic tales, character sketches, surprise endings; main types of the short story. (Gen.Ed. AL)

This class offers an introduction to the short story as a literary genre. It will cover a wide variety of texts, particularly -- but not exclusively -- from the Anglo and Latin American traditions from the 19th century until the present. All works will be read in translation. The main objective of the class is to teach students the analytical tools how to read, interpret, and discuss short stories. Further, it aims at improving critical writing skills and your awareness of the world. We will explore the cultural context and the power relations operative within each individual story, especially with reference to race, class, and gender.