ENGH 202: Texts and Contexts

ENGH 202-003: Vampires
(Spring 2015)

12:00 PM to 01:15 PM MW

East Building 201

Section Information for Spring 2015

ENGH 202 - 003: Vampires

No matter how many times we've seen them get staked through the heart, fried by the sun, or turned into a pile of ashes, we know that vampires never quite die.  These undead creatures have proven to be amazingly persistent: they return, again and again, to haunt and invade us, to lure and transform us.  Why are vampire legends so compelling?  What accounts for their staying power?  What does it say about us that we can't get enough of restless, predatory shape-shifters who sleep in their coffins during the day and rise up and drink the blood of the living at night?

To think about these and other questions, we'll study vampire legends, looking particularly at how they both change and stay the same from the 1890s until today.  We'll examine novels, short stories, and films, and our discussions will range from classics (Bram Stoker's novel Dracula) to recent bestsellers (most likely Stephen King's Salem's Lot) to various new versions and transformations of more traditional vampire legends (but NOT Twilight.  This class will be a Twilight-free zone.)  We will also study the incredibly rich history of vampies on film, mostly by viewing and discussing clips (rather than full movies).

In addition, the reading assignments, course requirements include face-to-face and online class discussions, short writing assignments, reading quizzes, interactive presentations, and a final project in which students create their own vampire stories.

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Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Studies literary texts within the framework of culture. Examines texts within such categories as history, gender, sexuality, religion, race, class, and nation. Notes: Builds on reading and writing skills taught in ENGH 101. May be repeated within the term.
Mason Core: Literature
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: 3 credits of 100-level English.
Schedule Type: Lec/Sem #1, Lec/Sem #2, Lec/Sem #3, Lec/Sem #4, Lec/Sem #5, Lec/Sem #6, Lec/Sem #7, Lec/Sem #8, Lec/Sem #9, Lecture, Sem/Lec #10, Sem/Lec #11, Sem/Lec #12, Sem/Lec #13, Sem/Lec #14, Sem/Lec #15, Sem/Lec #16, Sem/Lec #17, Sem/Lec #18
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

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