59-1316 CRW: Crime and Story

Course explores the fact that, since Oedipus Rex, the crime has been one of the engines that drive story movement. Dostoevsky, Drieser, Petry, Dickens, Atwood, and Wright are among the many writers who use elements of the mystery and crime story to explore the psychological effects of crime on characters in fiction. By analyzing the writing techniques and processes–such as point of view, scene, voice, and story structure–of well-known writers, students will examine how murder, crime, and mystery have been transformed beyond genre to create dramatic literary fiction. By reading published work, as well as researching memoirs, journals, essays, and letters of established writers, students will explore how they may use these techniques to create compelling movement in their fiction.

4 Credits