ANG1755 Vampires in Film and LiteratureWinter 2010
Description:
This course will consider the development of Vampire literature, from its early manifestations in the nineteenth century, most notably Sheridan LeFanu’s 1872 Carmilla and Bram Stoker’s 1897 Dracula, to Stephen King’s 1975 Salem’s Lot, Josh Whedon and Karl Moline’s 2003 graphic novel Fray, and Stephenie Meyer’s 2005 Twilight.
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 need to watch several films and TV episodes; these will be shown in class but can be viewed outside of class. (Viewing time is indicated on the online syllabus.)
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:
- Quizzes: 15% (5% x 3)
- Midterm Exam: 40% (23 February 2010)
- Final Exam: 45% (20 April 2010)
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:
- Tomas Alfredson, Let the Right One in (2008) [film].
- Kathryn Bigelow, Near Dark (1987) [film].
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer: ‘Lie to Me’ (2.7; 1997) [TV episode].
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer: ‘Buffy vs Dracula’ (5.1; 2000) [TV episode].
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer: ‘Tabula Rasa’ (6.8; 2001) [TV episode].
- Octavia Butler, Fledgling (2005) ISBN 978-0446696166.
- Craig Gillespie, Fright Night (2011) [film].
- Matt Haig, The Radleys (2010) ISBN 978-1554688586.
- Laurel Hamilton, Guilty Pleasures (1993) ISBN 978-0515134490.
- Stephen King, Salem’s Lot (1975) ISBN 978-0671039745.
- Richard Matheson, I am Legend (1954) ISBN 978-0765357151.
- Suzette Mayr, Venous Hum (2004) ISBN 978-1551521701.
- Stephen Norrington, Blade (1998) [film].
- Amy Plum, Die for Me (2011) ISBN 978-1907411021.
- Roman Polanski, The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967) [film].
- Ann Rice, Interview with the Vampire (1976) ISBN 978-0345409645.
- Bram Stoker, Dracula (1897) ISBN 978-0141439846.
- X-Files: ‘Bad Blood’ (5.12; 1998) [TV episode].
- Joss Whedon and Karl Moline, Fray: Future Slayer (2003) ISBN 978-1569717516.
Schedule:
- Monday 9 January: Introduction / Buffy: ‘Lie to Me’
- Monday 16 January: Buffy: ‘Tabula Rasa’ / I am Legend
- Monday 23 January: Quiz / Buffy: ‘Buffy vs Dracula’ / Dracula
- Monday 30 January: Let the Right One In / The Fearless Vampire Killers (Part I)
- Monday 6 February: Quiz / The Fearless Vampire Killers (Part II) / Salem’s Lot
- Monday 13 February: Quiz / X-Files: ‘Bad Blood’ / Interview with the Vampire / Fray
- Monday 20 February: Midterm Exam
- Monday 27 February: Quiz / Guilty Pleasures / Blade (Part I)
- Monday 5 March: Reading Week
- Monday 12 March: Quiz / Venous Hum / Blade (Part II)
- Monday 19 March: Quiz / Fledgling / Fright Night (Part I)
- Monday 26 March: Quiz / Fright Night (Part II) / The Radleys
- Monday 2 April: Quiz / Near Dark / Die for Me
- Monday 9 April: Easter Monday
- Monday 16 April: Final Exam
This content has been updated on January 4, 2020 at 21 h 13 min.