Great American Short Stories: A Guide for Writers and Readers

Overview

Course No. 2323
Plunge into several centuries of short stories in the American tradition, looking at how to write them, how to read them, and how to appreciate their powerful influence.

While short stories exist in traditions all over the world, American short stories are a genre all their own. Emerging from the clash of cultures during the arrival of European settlers, these short works have entertained, fostered identity, shaped morality, and built the foundations of the American mythos for nearly four centuries.

Professor Jennifer Cognard-Black of St. Mary’s College of Maryland guides you through both the technical aspects of the short story and its history in the United States. Discover why this form became deeply connected to American identity and how it continues to evolve alongside the nation itself.

Video Lectures

1. Introduction to American Short Stories
   Explore the unique characteristics that make American short stories distinct.
2. Early American Storytelling Traditions
   Examine the collision of oral and print traditions in colonial America.
3. Crafting the Modern Short Story
   Learn the technical elements that define this literary form.
4. Short Stories as Cultural Mirrors
   Discover how these works reflect and shape American identity.
5. Evolution of the American Short Story
   Trace the development of the genre through key historical periods.