Course 112: Interpreting Short Stories

Leader: Dorothy Baumwoll

Description: Short stories are "tales" told by men and women who have studied the art of telling, refined it through long practice, and adapted to the demands of an increasingly sophisticated audience. We encounter elements of the short story -- such as character, plot, setting, symbols, and theme -- simply by growing up in a literate society. We are likely to interpret these elements intuitively when we read a story.

The purpose of this course is to bring what we do intuitively into the light of consciousness. Through experience in interpreting stories we add another dimension to our reading experience. Participants will be offered a different selection of stories from those read and discussed in previous sessions of this course.

Participants will first discuss stories in small groups, and then engage in class discussion. The course leader will provide critical material to aid discussion groups. Outside reading -- two or three stories a week, about 25 pages -- will provoke stimulating discussions. We will experience interpreting the short stories of well-known authors from the 1890's through the present-day, men and women from varied ethnic backgrounds who present their stories in a variety of styles and voices and who stimulate readers to enjoy . . . and understand . . . their tales.

Biography: Dorothy Baumwoll taught both literature and creative writing in the Bucknell Department of English for more than twenty years. Most recently, she has been leading poetry-writing and fiction writing workshops for the Bucknell Institute for Lifelong Learning.

Materials for Course: Required text: Guth & Rico, Discovering Fiction, ISBN 0-13-219858-4, available used from the usual internet providers; priced from $0.99 plus $3.99 postage.

Number of Participants: Minimum: 6; Maximum: 12

Location: RiverWoods - Studio 35

Meeting Time: Tuesdays, February 26 through April 2, 1 - 2:30 p.m.