ENG533: Gothic Literature and Horror

Haunted houses. Vampires. Ghosts. Monsters and the monstrous. Things that scare us and make us question reality are the most notable aspects of Gothic literature and horror. This course will trace the development of Gothic literature from its earliest beginnings to its present-day forms to emphasize its influence on horror in literature and film. Students will read, explore, and discuss literature defining or containing elements of the Gothic and horror while considering how the genres serve as vehicles to explore greater societal issues (particularly misogyny, racism, marginalization, and othering) as well as our fears of the unknown. Students will begin their exploration with the first known Gothic masterpiece, Horace Walpole's Castle of Otranto, before continuing their exploration into the uncanny, monstrous, and horrific with writers such as Edgar Allan Poe, Shirley Jackson, Victor LaValle and others. As students develop an understanding and appreciation of the complexities of these darker forms of literature they will write critical reactions to course texts and present a final project of their own design.