NLIT
3842

Haunted Nations: Politics & Horror

Schools of Public Engagement: BPATS

Liberal Arts
Undergraduate Course
Degree Students
Politics of Horror
Spring 2024
Taught By: Frances Chiu
Section: A

CRN: 14266

Credits: 3

Ever since the emergence of the Gothic novel in 1764, the literature of horror has fascinated the West. How and why did this genre become so popular in an age of rapid industrialization and modernization? Our study begins with Stanley Kubrick’s film adaptation of Stephen King’s The Shining, examining its most prominent themes. We then move back in time to Horace Walpole, Ann Radcliffe, Matthew Lewis, and Mary Shelley, discussing their works in the context of late 18th-century England: namely, the struggles for equitable representation, abolition of slavery, legal reform, and the burgeoning awareness of women’s rights. We then shift to Irish and Scottish horror, namely, the vampire fiction of J.Sheridan Le Fanu and Bram Stoker, as well as the dangerous doubles of Robert Louis Stevenson: these famous titles will be read against the backdrop of Irish nationalism, Western imperialism, and decadence. Finally, we return to The Shining, this time focusing on the novel itself as we analyze King’s handling of the familiar themes of family and public discontent against the backdrop of the civil rights struggle and political distrust of the sixties and seventies.

College: Schools of Public Engagement (NS)

Department: BPATS (BPAT)

Campus: New York City (GV)

Course Format: Seminar (R)

Modality: Online - Asynchronous

Max Enrollment: 22

Add/Drop Deadline: February 4, 2024 (Sunday)

Online Withdrawal Deadline: April 16, 2024 (Tuesday)

Seats Available: Yes

Status: Closed*

* Status information is updated every few minutes. The status of this course may have changed since the last update. Open seats may have restrictions that will prevent some students from registering. Updated: 5:48am EDT 3/19/2024

Meeting Info:
Building: Online Course
Room: 999
Date Range: 1/22/2024 - 5/15/2024