ENG2325 – The Short Story in English
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The course examines main points of development in the short story tradition in English from the nineteenth century to today, drawing on central concepts from short story theory from Edgar Allan Poe to contemporary theorists. Beyond the much debated question of generic definition, the course will take a variety of approaches to the short story, including:
- considering the short story in literary history
- the impact of modernism and impressionism
- the postcolonial short story
- varieties of style and narrative technique
- the representation of class, race, ethnicity, and gender in the short story
Learning outcome
After completing the course, you:
- have an understanding of some fundamental features of the development of the Anglo-American short story.
- can identify and discuss central aspects of short fiction theory.
- have good skills in analyzing texts, structures and narrative techniques.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Admission to the course is required to attend seminars.
Recommended previous knowledge
It is recommended that students have taken at least 10 ECTS in literature/culture, preferably ENG1303 – British Literature / ENG1304 – American Literature or equivalent. The course assumes a good proficiency in written and oral English
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with ENG4365 – The Short Story in English.
Teaching
Seminars, 2 hours per week for 14 weeks. 28 hours in all.
An essay of 5 standard pages (a standard page consists of 2,300 characters) turned in by a stated deadline. The bibliography comes in addition to this. Read more here about rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for postponements.
- It is obligatory to show up for a minimum of 60% of the teaching. In this course you have to attend 8 of 14 seminars. The requirement is absolute.
The allowed absence limit will cover all absences, including illness. You will not be granted valid absences with documentation, even when the absence is due to something beyond your control.
If the course has in-person teaching, and you are signed up for an in-person seminar group, you are to attend the teaching in the location found in the schedule.
If the course has digital teaching, and you are signed up for a digital seminar group, you must attend via Zoom with your camera on.
In certain circumstances, i.e. serious or chronic illness, you could apply for special needs accomodations.
Once the course requirements have been fulfilled, they remain valid for the current and the next two semesters that the course is taught.
Examination
The form of assessment is a 5-hour written home examination.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.