COM 251 The Art of Storytelling Business, Liberal Arts & Social Sciences Program Summer 2017 June 9-Week 2 Course - Prague

There is an art to telling and writing fascinating stories, and good writers can improve their skills through reading and learning from compelling stories. This course teaches participants how to compose a memorable short story, one that will delight and hold the reader's interest. Participants will study several short stories that will introduce them to elements in fiction that enhances the reader's response to a story. Then, in and out of class, they will create short assignments that will lead to a longer story. Among the many writers whose stories will be read are Stuart Dybek, Jan Neruda, Franz Kafka, Margaret Atwood, Dino Buzzati, Raymond Carver, Dorothy Allison, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Rainer Maria Rilke, Toni Morrison, and Alice Munro. As poets are lovely word weavers, Pablo Neruda will also serve as one of our guides to writing figuratively.
Creativity-unusual ways of writing-telling a story, or in characters--is greatly encouraged. Participants may be asked to attend or participate in local readings or writing festivals, and to visit the habitats of local writers.