451 -- COURSE SCHEDULE
Fall 2023

Aug 22	Intro to course and each other. Vonnegut, “Harrison Bergeron.” Also, “The Things They Carried.”
24	Traditional: John Updike, “The Brown Chest”; Richard Ford, “Reunion” (with Cheever read by Ford); Russell Banks, “Lobster Night.” (all from Ecco).
29	Unreal: Richard Burgin, “The Identity Club”; Elizabeth McCracken, “Some Terpischore”; Real: Chabon, “Son of the Wolfman”; Charles Baxter, “Poor Devil.” Begin Bell Jar.
31	Continue The Bell Jar. Van Noy out. Post to discussion.
5	Bell Jar to end.
7	Form: Richard Baush, “1-900”; Tobias Wolf, “Bullet in the Brain”; David Foster Wallace, “Incarnations of Burned Children.” (all from Ecco).
12	Kesey, Cuckoo’s Nest (Part 1).
14	Cuckoo part II.
19	Finish Kesey.
21	Edgy: Junot Diaz, “Aurora”; Edwidge Danticat, “Nightwomen”; George Saunders, “The Red Bow”; Chuck Palahniuk; “Escort.” (all from Ecco). Strongly recommended: Jim Minick reading at 5 in the library.
26	Begin Toni Morrison, Beloved. To 135.
28	Beloved, middle.
Oct 3	Finish Beloved Due: Critical digests on Beloved.
5	Sexuality: Mary Gaitskill, “The Girl on the Plane”; Antonya Nelson, “Stitches”; Adam Haslett, “City Visit.”
10	Ethnicity: Sherman Alexie, “The Toughest Indian in the World”; Voice: Lorrie Moore, “Paper Losses”; Denis Johnson, “Emergency.” Also Benedict, “Mercy.”
12	Review. Due: Insight and Evidence 3 (Friday). D2L.
17	Turn in “Madness” essay in place of class D2L Due: Madness mid-term.
19	Delillo, White Noise, I – “Waves and Radiation,”
24	Delillo II – “Airborne Toxic Event.”
26	Delillo, III – “Dylarama.” Due: Digests of critical essay w/ oral presentation on White Noise.
31	Begin The Road. Extra credit for 80s costume. Or dress like a bedraggled road walker.
Nov 2	Road cont’d.
7	McCarthy to end. Due: Critical digests on The Road.
9	Bones Discuss final papers and exam.
14	Bones
16	Bones Insight and evidence 4.
	Thanksgiving Break
28	Egan, “Pure Language.” Franzen, “Agreeable.” Also, “Puppy,” George Saunders, and Keegan, “So Late in the Day.”
30	Review and or conferences. Final insight and evidence due.
	Exam (take home essay D2L)