This course aims to study the fantastic in American Literature with emphasis on the Gothic texts written during the 19th century in the USA, and the development of the genre into the literature of horror in general in the 20th and 21st centuries. The course focuses on major American writers of the fantastic who have initiated the American gothic mode and its distinct American characteristics. The prescribed list includes works of nineteenth century writers such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allan Poe, Charles Brockden Brown, Washington Irving, of the early twentieth century such as Henry James and of the late twentieth century such as Stephen King. By the end of the term students will have acquired: •a basic knowledge of the fantastic poetics in general and •of the distinct American characteristics developed during the last three centuries. Course textbook and outline/bibliography are available. Information about the course is also available at the blackboard site. Assessment: Final exam / term paper for students with special needs.
