Gothic Fictions (2025/2026: Semester 1 – Fall)

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Cursusdoel

The course provides a thorough introduction to key texts in gothic fiction (1770-present) and in gothic criticism.

After completing this course students:
1 have established a repertoire of representative primary gothic texts from different historical and geographic contexts
2 are able to relate gothic texts to relevant historical contexts or theoretical concepts
3 can collect additional primary sources and secondary literature concerning gothic representations
4 can present orally, both individually and in a group, about gothic artefacts in contemporary culture.
5 are able to give and receive constructive feedback on research proposals
6 are able to write a critical essay concerning the representation of identity and subjectivity in terms of gender, sexuality, class or ethnicity in a specific gothic artefact


Relationship between assessments and course objectives
In this course, the final course grade is based on four elements: 3 reading report assignments (10% each), a final written assignment, a group presentation and class participation.

The reading reports tests your knowledge and insight on learning objectives 1,2.
The final paper assignment tests your knowledge and insight on learning objectives 1,2,3,6.
The group presentation assignment tests your knowledge and insight on learning objectives 1,2,3,4
Class participation (including peer feedback and chairing a discussion) test your knowledge and insight on learning objectives 1,2,4,5.

Vakinhoudelijk

The Gothic is an umbrella term for the lasting fascination with the supernatural, the monstrous and the uncanny, personified in cultural icons like Frankenstein and Dracula. In this course, we will study the Gothic mostly in literature, with several excursions to other media, for the gothic is also found in painting, architecture, film, popular music and fashion. Gothic provides the imaginative space to explore the blurring boundaries between the real and the imagined, the visible and the invisible, reason and emotion, the political and the personal, the living and the (un)dead. Gothic has been regarded as a mode to express and channel cultural fears about repressed colonial histories, vicious aspects of family life, prohibited sexuality, and silenced gender. Alternatively it has been read as confirming protestant, middle-class and heterosexual norms and values. In this course we will try to account for these ambiguities and related questions in our close readings of Gothic novels, stories, poems and films.


Format
There will be two seminar-style classes per week, and students are expected to do all assigned reading in advance of each session. Because the course will be dynamic and discussion-based, there will be a focus on partner/small-group work and short writing exercises. Students will also be responsible for starting off the group discussions on the literature for an assigned session as well as bringing to class any specific questions related to the material.

Werkvormen

UCU HUM 3 course

Toetsing

Class participation

Verplicht | Weging 20% | ECTS 1,5

Written assignments (3 reading reports)

Verplicht | Weging 30% | ECTS 2,25

Final paper

Verplicht | Weging 40% | ECTS 3

Group presentation

Verplicht | Weging 10% | ECTS 0,75

*midterm FEEDBACK*

Verplicht

Ingangseisen en voorkennis

Voertalen

  • Engels

Competenties

  • Academisch schrijven
  • Kritisch lezen
  • Onderzoeksvaardigheden
  • Presenteren

Cursusmomenten

Gerelateerde studies

Tentamens

Er is geen tentamenrooster beschikbaar voor deze cursus

Verplicht materiaal

  • BOEK
    Andrew Smith, Gothic Literature (2017)
  • LITERATUUR
    Mary Shelley, Frankenstein (1816). Any edition
  • LITERATUUR
    Bram Stoker, Dracula (1897). Any edition

Aanbevolen materiaal

  • BOEK
    Additional readings to be announced

Opmerkingen

alternates with UCHUMLIT39

Coördinator

dr. S.P. van Bommel S.P.vanBommel@uu.nl

Docenten

dr. A. Andeweg A.Andeweg@uu.nl
L. Bastemeijer l.bastemeijer@uu.nl

Inschrijving

Let op: deze cursus is niet toegankelijk voor studenten van andere faculteiten, bijvakkers mogen zich dus niet inschrijven.

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