Is it possible to write literary criticism about the fiction of our current moment? When did the literary 21st century begin? Which events and trends have informed the creative work published in the past two decades? How have changing media and technologies spurred new narrative forms? Have changing visual and digital artforms influenced the languages of contemporary literature? In an effort to develop a few rigorous, if provisional, answers to these broad questions, this seminar will begin with questions of media/platform, reading methods, and cultural value (which novels will future historians consider “important” or representative of our time?) and then generate interpretations of a wide range of genres in early 21st century prose fiction, including short (micro or flash) fiction, experimental and mixed-media novels, speculative fiction, graphic narratives, and digital fiction, among others. If you would like to pursue any of these considerations in greater detail or with an eye toward future projects, you will have opportunities to pursue research into particular themes, techniques, and/or texts. Authors are likely to include Mia Alvar, Jennifer Egan, Mohsin Hamid, Jonathan Lethem, Valeria Luiselli, Tommy Orange, Jeff VanderMeer, and Colson Whitehead.

Course Requirements:

Brief reading responses, two short essays, and a midterm and final exam.

Intended Audience:

All students