Jordan University of Science and Technology
English for Special Purposes
Eng 341 "Short Story"
Second Term 2008
Mon. & Wed. 8:15-9:45
Dr. Ziad Al-Mwajeh
Office hours: Mon. & Wed. 11:30-12:30, or by appointment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Course Description and Objectives: This course introduces students to the short
story genre and its masters. Students will read different short stories to discuss and
analyze their various elements and appreciate their artistic and linguistic potentials.
This course also enhances students' critical thinking skills and enlarges their verbal
repertoires.
Students are expected comprehend short story thematics, structures, symbolism, and
cultural trends that underlie them. Students will learn to appreciate short fiction and
accept multiple points of view. Students are expected to comment on literary texts
responding to both open and specific information questions in the form of a paragraph
or in an essay form.
Attendance and Make-up Policy: Attendance is mandatory. A student can miss up
to 15% of the total classes. If the student misses more than the allowed percentage,
the student will be asked to withdraw from the course.
Students can make-up exams as long as they provide acceptable excuses. Otherwise,
the student will get zero on the missed exam. Quizzes and in-class activities cannot be
made up.
Course materials:
A course packet compiled from various sources.
Handouts.
Exams and grading system:
First exam
20%
March 19, 2007.
Second Exam
30%
April 23, 2007.
Classroom activities,
quizzes and participation
10%
Final exam
40%
Weekly Syllabus:
Feb10-14: Introduction: What is the short story genre? Its origins and elements.
Feb 17-21: Read Edgar Allan Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado." Discuss plot, setting,
characterization, conflict, point of view and structure.
Feb.24-28: Continue "The Cask of Amontillado."
March 2-6: Read McKnight’s “The Storm.”
March 9-13: Read Ralph Ellison’s "Battle Royal.”
March 16-20: Read Welty’s “Death of a Traveling Salesman."
March 23-27: Read Porter’s “The Jilting of Granny Weatherall.”
March 30-April 3: Continue “The Jilting of Granny Weatherall.” Discuss point of
view and stream of consciousness.
April 6-10: Discuss figures of speech, imagery, and diction. Read Carver’s “Popular
Mechanics.”
April 13-17: Read Sherwood Anderson, “I’m a Fool.”
April 20-24: Read Hemingway’s "Hills like White Elephants.”
April 27-May 1: TBD.
May 4-8: Read Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal."
May 11-15: Continue Swift's. Discuss satire and allegory.
May 18-21: Revisions.
P.S. I reserve the right to make any changes in the syllabus to best fulfill course
objectives and students' needs.
Good Luck