12:20P-1:10P MWF (25) 3 cr

COAS INTENSIVE WRITING SECTION

Why do we read fiction?  Given that it matters to us, how can we
best articulate the ways it matters to who we are [and the who
that we are becoming]?  How do the types of understanding that
fiction allows us differ from other types -- from scientific
knowledge, or philosophical speculation, or psychological
analysis, for instance?  And how, finally, do these ways of
understanding that fiction allows become modeled in those
mysterious elements of fiction with which we are all conversant,
if not precisely familiar -- plot, character, symbol, point of
view, and dialogue?

We will investigate these questions through careful exploration
of short stories and two novels.  As an intensive writing class,
there will be a great deal of attention paid to how the best and
most careful encounter with these issues goes on in one's own
writing that attends and responds to the possible answers
provided by each author in his or her fiction.  Writing
assignments will be weekly, with mandatory revision work:  most
of these assignments will be short [1 to 3 pp], but there will be
one longer 5-page paper required.  There will also be a midterm
and final.