Basic Course Description -- The Vampire Image in Fiction and Film

In this class, students will study portrayals of the vampire image in folklore, fiction, and film. Students will have the opportunity to explore the cultural and historical origins of this popular and long-lasting persona and why this image is so appealing. Students will delve into the literary roots of the vampire by reading and discussing elements of the European Gothic tradition. We’ll begin this exploration with Polidori’s “The Vampyre.” As a class, students will closely analyze Bram Stoker’s Dracula, focusing on themes, character development, and the historical context of the novel’s entry into the literary canon. To visually complement the themes and images presented in the written texts, students will view Murnau’s 1922 Nosferatu, Ford Coppola’s 1992 film version of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and if time permits—Merhige’s The Shadow of the Vampire. Other film clips may be used to study the various portrayals of the vampire in the last century.

Basic Course Description -- Horror Fiction & Film

If you like reading ghost stories, horror fiction, or studying "weird" and "scary" stuff, this may be the right course for you. Students will have the opportunity to explore why these types of stories have been so appealing over time by reading a variety of classic works from the last two centuries, with emphasis on the "gothic" roots of the genre. Each student will be required to read and analyze one full "classic" novel in a group format and at least one other complete text from the genre. Students will also have the opportunity to analyze the gothic horror concept through film. We will use responses papers, creative projects, and group discussions to understand the pieces presented in class. Warning: this class requires a large amount of reading. You will be expected to complete reading and writing homework outside of class time.