Short courses

Summary

It wasn’t until the 19th Century that short stories began to appear regularly in print and in dedicated collected editions across the UK, USA, Germany, France and Russia. A ‘golden age’ of short story writing emerged portraying unforgettable characters, innovative plots and timeless philosophical themes.  

Join this course to chart the development of the short story as a literary art form during this important period. Focussing on in-depth analysis of a range of short stories, this course tracks the extraordinary proliferation of new styles, structures, themes and techniques during this time. Students will also learn the historical and literary context of these stories and explore their lasting impact on readers and writers to the present day. 

Over a series of talks and collective close-readings, our expert tutor will explain: 

• key distinctive literary features of the short story form over the course of the 19th century through close textual analysis of a range of notable examples from UK, USA, Germany, France and Russia. 
• their historical background and literary context  
• their philosophical views on life 

You will also have the chance to discuss and reflect on what you learn with other students and the tutor in seminars 

Choose this course if you want to learn: 

• more about the short story form and the rewards of close reading 
• more about how short stories are written, received and influence others 
• more about some classic 19th century short story writers as a literary figures 
• more about the broader historical context of the short story