451 -- COURSE SCHEDULE

Aug 30	Intro to course and each other. “The Things They Carried.”
Sep 1	Traditional: John Updike, “The Brown Chest”; Richard Ford, “Reunion” (with Cheever read by Ford); Russell Banks, “Lobster Night.” (all from Ecco). Full moon (just so you know—Wolfman story today?).
6	Unreal: Richard Burgin, “The Identity Club”; Elizabeth McCracken, “Some Terpischore”; Vonnegut, “Harrison Bergeron” Real: Chabon, “Son of the Wolfman”; Charles Baxter, “Poor Devil.”
8	Begin Mother Night (to 147).
13	Night to End.
15	Form: Richard Baush, “1-900”; Tobias Wolf, “Bullet in the Brain”; David Foster Wallace, “Incarnations of Burned Children.” (all from Ecco).
20	Kesey, Cuckoo’s Nest (Part 1).
22	Cuckoo part II.
27	Finish Kesey.
29	Edgy: Junot Diaz, “Aurora”; Edwidge Danticat, “Nightwomen”; George Saunders, “The Red Bow”; Chuck Palahniuk; “Escort.” (all from Ecco).
Oct 4	Begin Toni Morrison, Beloved. To 135.
6	Beloved, middle.
11	Finish Beloved
13	Due: Critical digests on Beloved. Sexuality: Mary Gaitskill, “The Girl on the Plane”; Antonya Nelson, “Stitches”; Adam Haslett, “City Visit.”
18	Ethnicity: Sherman Alexie, “The Toughest Indian in the World”; Voice: Lorrie Moore, “Paper Losses”; Ann Beattie, “Lavande”; Denis Johnson, “Emergency”
20	Review.
25	Mid-term test on short stories and novels so far.
27	Van Noy out of town.
Nov 1	Delillo, White Noise, I – “Waves and Radiation,” II – “Airborne Toxic Event.”
3	Van Noy out.
8	Delillo, III – “Dylarama.” Due: Digests of critical essay w/ oral presentation on White Noise.
10	Eugenides, Virgin Suicides.
15	McCarthy, The Road (1-92)
17	McCarthy to end. Discuss final papers and exam. Due: Critcal digests on The Road.
	Thanksgiving Break
29	Egan, Goon Squad
Dec 1	Goon, Squad
6	Finish Goon Squad. Last chapter, “Pure Language.” Franzen, “Agreeable.” See also his recent graduation speech.
8	Review and or conferences.
	Exam