First-Year Writing Seminar (101-8-22)
Topic
Ghosts, Aliens, and PIs in Victorian and Postcolon
Instructors
Tyler Scott Talbott
Meeting Info
Locy Hall 305: Mon, Wed 3:30PM - 4:50PM
Overview of class
Topic: Ghosts, Aliens, and PIs in Victorian and Postcolonial London
This writing-intensive course will focus on Victorian and postcolonial British artists, comparing their gothic, fantastical, and experimental literature and film about the "unreal" or "twilight" city of empire: London. We will move between speculative and realist genres that capture London as a city transformed by forces of industrialization, imperialism, and globalization, concentrating on detective stories, tales of alien invasion, works of "hysterical realism," and literal and figurative sagas of ghostly haunting. From reading, watching, and writing about a diverse set of novellas, films, essays, and poetry, students will learn methods of literary interpretation, visual analysis, and argumentation and build writing projects that ask critical, humanistic questions about the city as a space where imperial history, counterculture, sexuality, pollution, economic inequality, and national identity intersect. Possible authors include: Robert Louis Stevenson, Zadie Smith, Carol Ann Duffy, Christina Rossetti, and Bernardine Evaristo. Possible film and visual media include: Attack the Block, Sammy and Rosie Get Laid, episodes of Sherlock and/or Luther, and the 2012 London Olympic Opening Ceremony.
Evaluation Method
Attendance, Discussion Participation, Peer Review Work: 25%
Short Artist Presentation: 5%
2 Short Papers (Close Analysis and Critical Autobiography): 20% each
Final Project: 30% (15% preliminary work; 15% final product)
Number of writing assignments and their lengths: Two short papers and one longer project that incorporates a written proposal and short annotated bibliography. Total pages of required writing not to exceed 20 pages.
Class Materials (Required)
Most course readings and all films will be made available through Canvas. You will likely need physical copies of two novels, which will be available to buy through Norris bookstore. Those novels are:
Robert Louis Stevenson, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Zadie Smith, White Teeth
Class Attributes
WCAS Writing Seminar