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Publication Date
Spring 2025
Degree Type
Thesis - Campus Access Only
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Department
English and Comparative Literature
Advisor
Keenan Norris; Brook McClurg; Nicholas Taylor
Abstract
Learning Objectives is a collection of twenty-one short stories that revolve around the central theme of the loss of innocence. Through realism, fabulism, and urban fantasy, the stories examine the necessary but painful awakenings that come with maturity. These stories focus on children and the adults who choose to either protect or harm them. Set primarily within educational environments such as schools and summer camps, my stories examine the intersection of growth and disillusionment. This collection exposes the absurdities and contradictions within the education system, where miscommunication and willful ignorance can have life-long consequences. I have drawn inspiration from my own experiences working in schools and camps, where I’ve witnessed abuse and healing, trauma and resilience, and, throughout it all, absurdity and humor. My stories are not strictly autobiographical, but rather portrayals of the emotional truths that children and educators experience daily. The heightened reality of my stories explores the heightened stakes and emotions of childhood.
Recommended Citation
Aust, Sophia, "Learning Objectives" (2025). Master's Theses. 5638.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31979/etd.tb3d-38t4
https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/etd_theses/5638
