Other Genres Genre: Vampires

Genre: Vampires
HN270:
Contemporary
Literary Genres
In Fall 2012, the first ever Contemporary Literary Genre
class studied the genre of Vampire Literature. Together,
the class studied the evolution of the vampire character
throughout pivotal literary works, such as Dracula by
Bram Stoker, Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice,
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, and Dead Until Dark by
Charlaine Harris.
Presented by:
Monroe College Honors Program
Bronx & New Rochelle, NY
www.monroecollege.edu
Course Description
Instructional Materials
Harris, Charlaine. Dead Until Dark. New York: Ace, 2010,
Print.
This course allows students to explore contemporary literary genres,
including but not limited to evolving ideas in genres such as science
fiction, romance, mystery and crime, etc. Constantly evolving,
literature explores interesting and unique ideas that are inspired by
particular historical eras, cultural influences, and societal movements.
Students will study a particular literary genre, with a critical eye, and
learn how the genre came into existence and all the richness it
compasses.
Meyer, Stephenie. Twilight. New York: Hachette Book
Group, 2005. Print.
Rice, Anne. Interview with the Vampire. New York: Random
House, 1976. Print.
Stoker Bram. Dracula. Ed. Nina Auebach and David J. Skal.
New York: Norton and Company, Inc., 1997. Print.
Course Outline
I. Reading and Writing About a Literary Genre
 What is a literary genre?
 Understanding and interpreting the elements of fiction (Character, Plot, Point of View, Setting, Symbolism, Themes/Ideas, etc.)
Objectives
By the course’s end, students will be able to:
what constitutes a literary genre
 identify and analyse complex social, artistic, and stylistic issues raised
in assigned works
 critique quality and depth of literary elements, e.g., character, setting,
tone, theme, symbolism, etc.
 create their own pieces of literary criticism and present those pieces to
their peers
Other Genres
Contemporary Chick Literature
Fielding, Helen. Bridget Jones’s Diary: A Novel. New
York: Penguin Books, 1996. Print.
Johnson, Diane. Le Divorce. New York: Penguin Group,
1998. Print.
Kinsella, Sophie. Confessions of a Shopaholic. New
York: Bantam Dell, 2001. Print.
Weisberger, Lauren. The Devil Wears Prada. New York:
Broadway, 2004. Print.
Crime Literature
Christie, Agatha. And then There were None. New
York: Harper, 2011. Print
Doyle, Arthur Conon. The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Finisterra books, 2011. Print
 define
Highsmith, Patricia. The Talented Mr. Ripley. New
York: Norton, 2008. Print
Larsson, Stieg. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. New
York: Vintage, 2011. Print
Writing about literature
II. Exploration of Assigned Novel #1
 Introduction to novel and author of novel
 Critical group discussions of novel
 How does this novel exemplify the genre being
studied?
Course Assessment
Critical Responses: This course requires the satisfactory completion of
five critical response assignments. Assignments are given to students at
least one week in advance of their due dates.
Science Fiction Literature
Asimov, Isaac. Foundation. Spectra, 1991. Print
III. Exploration of Assigned Novel #2
 Introduction to novel and author of novel
 Critical group discussions of novel
 How does this novel exemplify the genre being
studied?
IV. Exploration of Assigned Novel #3
 Introduction to novel and author of novel
Classroom Participation: There are various opportunities throughout the
semester to work in small groups and group members will be expected
to be fully engaged in their group’s discussion. When there is a large
classroom discussion, all students are encouraged and expected to participate
 Critical group discussions of novel
 How does this novel exemplify the genre being
studied?
V. Exploration of Assigned Novel #4
Research Paper: A research paper that demonstrates the student’s writing and research skills will be submitted.
 Introduction to novel and author of novel
 Critical group discussions of novel
 How does this novel exemplify the genre being
studied?
Oral Presentation: Students will present their research to their peers in a
10-minute oral presentation.
Clarke, Arthur Charles. 2001: A Space Odyssey. New
York: Roc Trade, 1993. Print
Henlein, Robert. Stranger in a Strange land. New York:
Ace Books, 2003. Print
Orwell, George. 1984. New York: Signet Classic,
1961. Print