Syllabus

**ENG 202—SHORT STORY** =3 CREDITS, DR. J. PEDERSEN, FALL 2011=
 * FELICIAN COLLEGE—DIVISION OF ARTS & SCIENCES**
 * COURSE DESCRIPTION**: Students study the history and elements of the short story and the categories within the genre. A critical evaluation of short stories concentrates on those exemplifying the historical and aesthetic developments of this literary form.


 * COURSE OBJECTIVES:**
 * 1) Understand the basic elements of the short story.


 * 1) Identify basic styles and themes of the various short stories studied, their historical backgrounds, and how they develop and shift over time.


 * 1) Perform critical analysis and literary interpretation of the short stories, both oral in class discussion and in four papers that use literary terms and concepts to support the students’ original thoughts and thesis


 * REQUIRED TEXTS:**
 * · Best Short Stories for Modern Age by Angus**
 * · 50 Great Shorty Stories by Crane**


 * //Ways to Contact Instructor//**:
 * 1) Feel free to email me at any time at jpedersen1@aol.com.
 * 2) In an emergency please call my office at (908) 754-4620 ext. 249


 * ATTENDANCE:** This is taken for every class. Each student is allowed 3 absences without penalty. If a student is absent more than this, the grade will be reduced to reflect the amount of work missed. Anyone with more than 6 absences is in danger of failing the course. ANY absence may be excused if the student has a DOCUMENTED reason. Being more than 15 minutes late, or leaving more than 15 min. early, or leaving during class counts as a half of an absence.


 * LATE PAPERS**: A student may hand in any paper on the due date and one class day later. That is, a paper due on Mon. may be handed in on Thurs. without a late penalty. After that, there is a 1 grade penalty for every day late. After the next paper is due, no previous paper may be handed in. If for any reason, you need more time, please see me so you can be excused from this penalty.


 * EVALUATION:**
 * 1) Assignments/ Participation: 20%
 * 2) Final Exam: 20%
 * 3) 5 papers: 50%
 * 4) Final Presentation: 10%


 * PAPER REQUIREMENTS**:
 * 1) Each paper must be at least 2 typed pages.
 * 2) Each paper must be completed in MLA format.
 * 3) All work must be entirely by the student. If you consult another source or quote from someone else, just give credit by citing the source. See me for a few minutes if you need help understanding how to use the correct MLA form.
 * 4) Each paper must include at least 3 quotes to support your thesis.
 * 5) Summarize your conclusions and other significant thoughts in your final paragraph.
 * 6) Each paper must stick to the topic. Summaries of stories will not be graded!

ESSAY #1: Based on your assigned story, explain if you think the author uses tone effectively. Cite specific examples from the text to support your response. ESSAY # 2: Based on your assigned story, what do you think is the author’s message? Provide specific evidence to support your opinion. ESSAY #3: Based on your assigned story, explain how symbolism is used by the author. Cite specific examples from the text to support your response. ESSAY #4: Based on your assigned story, identify the major theme or themes and explain how they are used. Provide specific evidence to support your opinion. FINAL PAPER: Choose one of the papers from a short story that you did not write about. Include research on the story that includes criticism, author’s purpose, etc.
 * PAPER TOPICS**

A 25-30 minute presentation to the class will be based on your final paper. The presentation must include the following items: - A brief summary. - A brief description of the main characters. - Explanation of the major themes with quotes from the text. - A list and explanation of all of the major symbols used in the short story. - An explanation of the author’s purpose. - Your reaction to the short story. Your evaluation of the short story including what you liked, what you didn’t like and what you would have changed about the story.
 * PRESENTATION:**