The course seeks to examine structural and, in particular, narratological approaches to American fictional works of the 20th century in relation to theoretical texts, so as to explain the complicated nature of narrative form. Specifically, we will analyse novels (e.g. Passing, A Spy in the House of Love, Crying of Lot 49, Lolita) and short stories (by Carver, Hemingway) from different theoretical perspectives (Peter Brooks, Roland Barthes, Mikhail Bakhtin, Fredric Jameson, feminist narratologists, etc.). Given the prevalence and importance of narrative media in our lives we will also explore the extent to which a transmedial theory of narrative is possible. Students will be required to participate in class discussion, submit written responses to the weekly readings and turn in a research paper in the end of the course.

Besides their participation in class discussions, students are required to give oral presentations and submit written research papers.

Instructor: Theodora Tsimpouki