Gothic and Horror Literature

Why are we so entertained by that which terrifies and disturbs us? Since the Gothic era, readers have been drawn to specters, ghouls, vampires, and ghosts, seeking thrills and chills, willingly subjecting themselves to sleepless nights of jumps and starts, cowering beneath covers at the slightest of sounds. This course will focus on major themes in Gothic and Horror literature, including an exploration of the many forms in which these horrors appear: What do these supernatural apparitions represent? To what degree can we recognize our own twisted reflections in these images of monsters and ghouls? Throughout the course, we will analyze the works of individual authors (Jackson, LeFanu, Stoker, Poe, Rampo, King) and approach concepts of ‘the abject’, ‘the uncanny’, and ‘the monstrous feminine’, from various critical perspectives. 

This course will focus on developing and assessing the following skills as detailed by the Common Core State Standards -