An exploration and examination of the very recent (last ten to twenty years) development of American fiction. A discussion class in which we will examine short stories and/or novels by such writers as Jamaica Kincaid, Tobias Wolff, Annie Proulx, Lorrie Moore, Rick Moody, Sandra Cisneros, and Tim O'Brien. Evaluation will be based on class participation, four short papers, and a final paper. No prerequisite. Enrollment limit: 19 per section (expected: 19 per section). Preference to first-year students. Two sections.