ANG1755 Vampires in Film and LiteratureFall 2005
Description:
This course will consider the development of Vampire literature, from its early manifestations in the nineteenth century, most notably Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula, to Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot, Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, and Josh Whedon and Karl Moline’s graphic novel Fray. Students will be introduced to a diverse array of texts and films which will allow for a wide-ranging discussion of issues at play in Vampire literature. Indeed, Vampire lore offers a rich and varied focus for textual analysis, including themes surrounding sexuality (particularly homosexuality), disease, social class, and death.
The spectrum of works under consideration will broaden the students’ perspective on the Vampire theme and its literary and sociological influence on other works and on contemporary society at large. As the title of this course indicates, students will be required to attend screenings of several films and TV episodes. Examinations will cover both literary texts and films. Students should note that the works under consideration in this class contain explicit scenes of violence and sexuality.
Requirements:
- In-class quiz (45′): 40%
- Essays: 60% (students hand in two 2-4 page / 600-1200 word essay) [17 October and 21 November]
Students not enrolled in a program in the English department are allowed to submit their written works in French. (Les étudiants non inscrits dans un programme du département d’études anglaises sont autorisés à soumettre leurs travaux en français.)
Works Studied:
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Books
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- Bram Stoker, Dracula (1897)
- Stephen King, Salem’s Lot (1975)
- Josh Whedon and Karl Moline, Fray: Future Slayer (2003)
- Ann Rice, Interview with the Vampire (1976)
- Jewelle Gomez, The Gilda Stories (1991)
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FILMography
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- Buffy the Vampire Slayer: ‘Buffy vs. Dracula’ (2000)
- The Fearless Vampire Killer (1967) Dir. Roman Polanski
- The Lost Boys (1987). Dir. Joel Schumacher [amend handout]
- The Hunger (1983). Dir. Ridley Scott
- The X-Files: ‘Bad Blood’ (1997)
- Blade (1998). Dir. Stephen Norrington
This content has been updated on January 4, 2020 at 21 h 32 min.