Program Details

The Great American Short Story Club: Back by Popular Demand!

Instructor
Caren Neile
SMGD381

Course Description

What could be better than a book club with an intimate gathering of thoughtful, intelligent people enjoying light refreshments? A short story club with an intimate gathering of thoughtful, intelligent people enjoying light refreshments! Here’s how it works: Each week, you will receive a hard copy or email of a very readable classic short story by a great American writer. You will also receive some questions to consider while you read. Then, when we’re all together, we will have a lively discussion about the writing style, characters, setting, and what the story reveals about American culture. Class size is limited so please register early!

Lectures

  1. J.D. Salinger: "A Perfect Day for Bananafish" (1948)
  2. John Cheever: "The Country Husband" (1954)
  3. Grace Paley: "Goodbye and Good Luck" (1956)
  4. Philip Roth: "Defender of the Faith" (1959)
  5. Kurt Vonnegut: "Harrison Bergeron" (1961)
  6. Cynthia Ozick: "The Shawl" (1989)
  7. TC Boyle: "After the Plague" (2001)
  8. Patricia Highsmith: "The Trouble with Mrs. Blynn, The Trouble with the World" (2002)

About the Instructor

  • Caren Schnur Neile, Ph.D., MFA, has taught storytelling studies, memoir and other writing, and public speaking at FAU and other institutions worldwide for over two decades. Her numerous publications include the books "Peninnah's World: A Jewish Life in Stories," "Florida Lore," and an entry in "The Oxford Handbook of American Folklore." Dr. Neile has ghostwritten and edited memoirs and other works for numerous clients and has performed in 7 countries and 13 states. She was a founding editor of the international academic journal "Storytelling, Self, Society," and is past chair of the National Storytelling Network. Dr. Neile appears weekly on the public radio WLRN radio and podcast segment "The Public Storyteller" and contributes a monthly column to the Sun-Sentinel.