The short story is about a moment of truth, rearranging our perceptions, and bringing new insights. Although the short story is associated with brevity, there is an overflow of revelation, illumination, or feeling. In this class we will examine the way in which the sensibility of the American writer has found in the short story a highly congenial medium This course will examine a new wave of short stories singled out for their importance for 21st century America. Both contemporary and timeless, these stories represent the variety and power of American short fiction, its range of voices and styles, and give us a look into America’s soul. Readings include stories by Said Sayrafiezadeh, George Saunders, Wells Tower, Lydia Davis, Anthony Doerr, Joy Williams. David Foster Wallace, Deborah Eisenberg, Joy Williams, Donald Antrim, Mary Gaitskill, Joe Wenderoth, Charles Yu, Lucy Corwin, Rivka Galchen.