Readings in the Modern Short Story . ENGL 124
Short stories are quick bursts of storytelling, which, much like a short film or a music video, capture an intense burst of feeling, a fleeting mood, a scene of transformation. Or else, you might say they operate like slow motion: they arrest a moment or slice of time, they attend to its nuances and the forces that buffer it, and they ask us to attend to them with extra care. Short stories often show how moments that might appear very ordinary to most of us can in fact be momentous, utterly transformative, for somebody. In this, for modern, humdrum, everyday lives, they can provide a kind of modernist sublime. In this class, we will read a cross-section of short stories, from classic to contemporary, from America and the world.
Prerequisites: Writing 2 or 50 or 109 or English 10 or upper-division standing.
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CollegeGEs Area G Writing
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4.2
Prof. Duffy is pretty chill. Lecture was more like a loose discussion forum/seminar where any opinion on the texts is welcome if you can back it up. Disorganized though, w/ no slides, so you have to attend class. 1 creative project/final research paper & 2 exams w/ passage IDs that aren't hard if you've read the books and 1 essay in the final.
Professor Duffy is great, he is very enthusiastic and cares a lot about his students. However if you are taking this course for a GE and do not absolutely LOVE literature then don't take it. This is a UD course in which the professor and the TAs expect you to be extremely passionate about Irish literature. Tons of analysis and reading.
Professor Duffy made me excited to be an English major. He is incredibly caring, and his lectures are hilarious. Take his honors section if you can. Duffy worships Ulysses, so beware, and also excited--- He is excellent at breaking down difficult concepts. Midterm, final, short presentation, & 7 page research paper with any topic on Irish culture.
Had Duffy for 150 & its honors seminar. He is a much better lecturer in a small class discussion format. I struggled to learn from his large lectures, as he is unorganized with no visual aids at times. Tests are half IDs, which was frustrating. Midterm+Final+7pg research paper. However, that being said, he is very caring and wants you to do well.
Duffy really tries to get to know everyone. Lectures can be a bit disorganized, just make sure to understand the main points and read the book. Come prepared for section, as he expects participation (discussion) from everyone in the class. The final project is really fun! If you don't mind some reading and writing I'd highly recommend.
I took Duffy's summer course, Detective Fiction, and it was amazing. You will have to read a bit but it is an english lit class so that's expected. He managed to make discussions interesting, and made a genuine effort to get to know every student. The exams were also pretty easy, and the final project was fun! Take him if you can!
Brian Donnelly
4.5
Heather Blurton
3.3
Maurizia Boscagli
3.4
Yunte Huang
3.1