SFE21417 The Gothic, American Style (Autumn 2020)

The course is connected to the following study programs

Obligatory subject within the 90 study credits English Extension Course.

May be taken as part of the bachelor programme in Society, Language and Culture.

Lecture Semester

English extension course: 1st semester (autumn)

Bachelor's Programme in Society, Language and Culture: 5th semester (autumn)

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

Knowledge

The student has knowledge of

-the historical, cultural and literary context of the American Gothic style

-the connections between historic and current trends in the American Gothic style

-how the Gothic style criticises the contemporary social and political environment and can predict future development

Skills

The student is capable of

-recognising and interpreting the Gothic style

-explaining how the Gothic style permeates Americans' world view

-analysing the Gothic style through art, culture, film and other media

General competence

The student can

-distinguish between Gothic style and horror

-describe the American Gothic literary heritage

-assess and criticise this literary heritage

Content

The course explores different definitions of 'Gothic' by reading a variety of American literary texts (mainly novels and short works of fiction, but also poetry, film and other media). The course is supplemented by texts that criticise the Gothic style, and these are used in the students' criticism of and approach to the various artistic texts. The course begins with an overview of approaches to Gothic literature and describes its stereotypical qualities and elements. Gothic texts are then explored within the framework of four thematic, and partly overlapping, categories: the uncanny, Gothic spaces, the monstrous other, and gender and sexuality. The course material has been selected from American literature from the 1700s to the 2000s. Emphasis is placed on how American authors have used and adapted different Gothic stylistic devices to portray key elements of the American experience. The frontier/wilderness, sex/sexuality, slavery/racial delineation and the family are some of the socio-cultural issues that are explored. Students will also look closer at psychological factors such as the presentation of the Self and the Other (at times the Self as the Other), the paranormal and subjective experience.

Forms of teaching and learning

Work and teaching methods include lectures, seminars, group work and supervision sessions. Students are expected to be well prepared for all seminars and to actively participate in discussions.

Workload

Approx. 280 hours.

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

An analytical assignment with a scope of between 1,000 and 1,500 words on a topic chosen in consultation with the lecturer. Required coursework must be approved before the student can register for the final exam.

Examination

Individual written exam

A five hour written examination. Permitted aid: English-English dictionary. Grading scale: A-F

Examiners

External and internal examiner or two internal examiners.

Course evaluation

Feedback from our students is vital in order for us to be able to offer the best possible courses and study programmes. The following forms of evaluation are used for this course:

• mid-term evaluation
• continuous/final evaluation

The results are considered by:

• lecturer groups
• the programme coordinator
• the local programme committee

Literature

The reading list is last updated 02.06.2020.

REQUIRED TEXTS

Botting, Fred. Gothic. 2nd edition. Routledge, 2014. ISBN: 978-0-415-83172-7 (paperback)

Jackson, Shirley. The Haunting of Hill House. Penguin Books, 2006. ISBN: 9780143039983 (paperback)

James, Henry. The Turn of the Screw and The Aspern Papers (one book). Wordsworth Editions, 2000. ISBN: 9781853260698 (paperback)

Larsen, Nella. Quicksand. Penguin Books. 2002. ISBN0141181273 (paperback)

Morrison, Toni. Paradise. Vintage Books, 1999. ISBN: 9780099768210 (paperback)

OTHER REQUIRED TEXTS (On Canvas)

Shorter texts and various documents, links, or films will be placed on Canvas as the semester proceeds and will be required unless marked as optional or suggested. Make sure you read your official HiØ email account and check Canvas daily.

OPTIONAL TEXTS (NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES: IN LIBRARY OR ONLINE)

You are encouraged to peruse gothic literature, film, drama, and television in the United States. Reading the culture sections of one or more of the major newspapers and weekly magazines may be useful in this (The International New York Times or The Washington Post, NY Magazine, the LA Times, or The New Yorker). Finally, Gothic Studies, a journal by the International Gothic Association is worth perusing as well.