Even in the land of Super Targets and Big Mac hamburgers, bigger is not always better--at least not in terms of literature. Short stories, because of their compression and intensity, offer lively plots and constant surprises. To the delight of readers everywhere, American authors provide a wellspring of tales that uncover our past, define our present, and speak to our future. In keeping with our diverse American heritage, stories have been chosen from a broad cross-section of literary and cultural traditions. Alongside canonical authors such as Nathaniel Hawthorne and Ernest Hemingway, we read the works of Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Louise Erdrich, Kate Chopin, and others, examining how these diverse voices diverge from, resist, and transform the traditional American short story canon. This course satisfies a WAC Writing to Learn requirement; an Integrations in the Humanities requirement; and the Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice requirement. Please note that ENGL 201 is non-repeatable; students wishing to take a second 200-level Texts in Conversation course will need to register for ENGL 202, 203, or 204. Prerequisite: ENGL 106, 121, or 190.
As video games have become increasingly complex, there’s a stronger need than ever for video game writers and narrative designers. But what is a narrative designer? In this course, students will study how professionals write video games and then attempt to do so themselves. Using a variety of simple-to-learn programs, students will collaborate in small development teams in addition to writing their own meaningful video games. Examples such as GONE HOME or UNDERTALE will be analyzed in class. Prerequisites: ENGL 121 or 190