Intro To Fiction Syllabus S11

Dr.
Hank Willenbrink
ENLT 120, TR 4 to 5:15 in CLP 225
OFFICE HRS: TR 1 to 2:30 (CLP 118) or by appt.
willenbrinr2@scranton.edu / 570.941.4353
INTRODUCTION TO FICTION
COURSE DESCRIPTION & GOALS:

This course is designed to enable you to engage with fiction in a thoughtful and critical
manner. This will be accomplished through an exploration of various fictional texts where
you will be asked to move beyond reading for comprehension and interact with the text
placing a special emphasis on the elements of fiction.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
 The Granta Book of the American Short Story Volume 2 edited by Richard Ford
Unless indicated, all readings are from this text.
GRADING:
You are required to keep up with daily reading assignments, be prepared to discuss the
work(s) in class, and actively engage in class discussions. You will also write 2 papers (5 to
7 pgs), take 2 exams, and be regularly quizzed on the assigned reading.
GRADING BREAKDOWN:
Midterm – 20%
Final – 25%
Paper 1 – 15%
Paper 2 – 15%
Quizzes – 15%
Participation – 10%
ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY. You are allowed only FOUR excused absences. Since much
of the material is covered in class, if you are absent even for illness, I cannot give you credit
for having learned the material if you are absent, therefore each additional absence is a
deduction from your final grade:
5 ABSENCES = .5 a letter grade (A becomes A -)
6 ABSENCES = 1 letter grade (A becomes B)
7 ABSENCES = 2 letter grades (A becomes C)
8 ABSENCES = YOU FAIL!!
NO LATE PAPERS/ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Plan ahead. Illness is not an

excuse. If you must miss class, have a friend bring your work in or e-mail it to me
prior to the start of class on the day it is due.
Students with Disabilities

In order to receive appropriate accommodations, students with disabilities must register
with the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence and provide relevant and
current medical documentation. Students should contact Mary Ellen Pichiarello
(Extension 4039) or Jim Muniz (Extension 4218), 5th floor, St. Thomas Hall, for an
appointment. For more information, see http://www.scranton.edu/disabilities.
Writing Center Services

The Writing Center focuses on helping students become better writers. Consultants will
work one-on-one with students to discuss students’ work and provide feedback at any stage
of the writing process. Scheduling appointments early in the writing progress is
encouraged.
To meet with a writing consultant, stop by during the Writing Center’s regular hours of
operation, call (570) 941-6147 to schedule an appointment, or complete the Writing
Assistance Request Form online. You can also schedule an online appointment using Google
Docs and Google Talk
COURSE SCHEDULE:
Week 1:
TUESDAY, FEB. 1
Introductions, Syllabus
THURSDAY, FEB. 3
John Gardner – “Aesthetic Law & Artistic Mystery” and “Basic Skills, Genre, and
Fiction as Dream” from The Art of Fiction (handout)
Week 2:
TUESDAY, FEB. 8
John Gardner – “Interest & Truth” from The Art of Fiction (handout)
Richard Ford – “Introduction “ to The Granta Book of The American Short Story Vol. 2
Earnest Hemingway – “Hills like White Elephants” (handout)
THURDSAY, FEB. 10
Tom Bailey – “Character, Plot, Setting, Time, Metaphor, and Voice” from On Writing
Short Stories (handout)
Week 3:
TUESDAY, FEB. 15
Selections from Understanding Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing
James Baldwin – “Sonny’s Blues” (handout)
THURSDAY, FEB. 17
Eudora Welty – “Ladies in Spring”
John Cheever – “Reunion”
Week 4:
TUESDAY, FEB. 22
Elizabeth Spencer – “Ship Island: The Story of a Mermaid”
Grace Paley – “Friends”
THURSDAY, FEB. 24
Flannery O’Connor – “A Good Man is Hard to Find” (handout)
Flannery O’Connor – “The Artifical Nigger”
Week 5:
TUESDAY, MARCH 1
Richard Yates – “Oh, Joseph, I’m So Tired”
THURSDAY, MARCH 3
Paper #1 Due
Donald Barthelme – “Me and Miss Mandible”
Week 6:
TUESDAY, MARCH 8
John Updike – “Natural Color”
Annie Proulx – “The Half-Skinned Steer”
THURSDAY, MARCH 10
Andre Dubus – “Killings”
Robert Stone – “Helping”
Week 7:
TUESDAY, MARCH 15
Review, Catchup
THURSDAY, MARCH 17
MIDTERM EXAM
Week 8:
TUESDAY, MARCH 22
NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK
THURSDAY, MARCH 24
NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK
Week 9:
TUESDAY, MARCH 29
Raymond Carver – “Errand”
Raymond Carver – “Are These Actual Miles?” (handout)
THURSDAY, MARCH 31
Joyce Carol Oates – “Where is Here?”
Bharati Mukherjee – “The Management of Grief”
Week 10:
TUESDAY, APRIL 5
Richard Bausch – “Ancient History”
THURSDAY, APRIL 7
NO CLASS
Week 11:
TUESDAY, APRIL 12
T.C. Boyle – “Miracle at Ballinspittle”
Denis Johnson – “Work”
THURSDAY, APRIL 14
Dennis MacFarland – “Nothing to Ask For”
Week 12:
TUESDAY, APRIL 19
Tom Franklin – “Grit”
THURSDAY, APRIL 21
NO CLASS – EASTER BREAK
Week 13:
TUESDAY, APRIL 26
Edward P. Jones – “A New Man”
Kevin Canty – “Blue Boy”
THURSDAY, APRIL 28
Paper #2 Due
Louise Erdrich – “The Plague of Doves”
Week 14:
TUESDAY, MAY 3
Sherman Alexie – “The Toughest Indian in the World”
Jhumpa Lahiri – “A Temporary Matter”
THURSDAY, MAY 5
Junot Díaz – “Aurora”
Week 15:
TUESDAY, MAY 10
ZZ Packer – “The Ant of the Self”
THURSDAY, MAY 12
Final Review
***Final Exam Date & Time TBA
***This syllabus is subject to change***

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Dr.

COURSE DESCRIPTION & GOALS:

Unless indicated, all readings are from this text.

NO LATE PAPERS/ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Plan ahead. Illness is not an

Students with Disabilities

Writing Center Services

Donald Barthelme – “Me and Miss Mandible”

Louise Erdrich – “The Plague of Doves”

***Final Exam Date & Time TBA

This syllabus is subject to change

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