English 44 - Summer Sessions I, 2021

Introductory Topics in Fiction

Topic: Victorian Monsters in Pop Culture

Class Information

Instructor: Peterson, Lauren
CRN: 51362
Time: MW 2:10-4:40
GE Areas: Writing Experience

Description

In this course, we will study a selection of Victorian monster tales while also analyzing their recent adaptations in order to further understand how these monsters continue to haunt us today. We will read Victorian narratives of vampires, werewolves, and other monstrous figures, and then watch, read, and/or listen to contemporary depictions, including graphic novels and television episodes. By close reading the Victorian stories, we will further understand the historical specificity of these monsters, noting representations of empire, race, gender, sexuality, industrialization, and more. While exploring contemporary iterations, we will analyze both the transformations and continuities regarding their Victorian predecessors. (What, for example, does Stevenson's Mr Hyde have in common with Hulk of the Marvel Cinematic Universe? What makes them distinct?) Our Victorian primary texts include the following: Le Fanu's Carmilla, Kipling's "The Mark of the Beast," Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, and Allen's "My New Year's Eve Among the Mummies." All of your reading, viewing, and audio material will be provided on Canvas as pdfs and links. While most of our work will be done asynchronously, we will have Monday check-ins to discuss the previous week's material and to introduce new material.