Welcome to Gothic Literature - Week #1
Assignment #1: Read the syllabus. It is on CANVAS. Look at the list on the left hand side and simply click on "syllabus." After reading the syllabus, post three things that you found interesting and list any questions or concerns you need answered. This is your first assignment. Post in CANVAS by midnight on Tuesday, 20, 2018. (10 points)
This will serve as your official sign-in for the course. If you miss this deadline, you will be dropped from the course unless you explain in a CANVAS note why you couldn't complete the assignment.
Assignment #2: Introduce yourself in one -two pages. (12 pt. font - 1 inch margins) Consider answering the following. Neither is your introduction limited to these questions nor are you required to address all bullets. These are provided to get you thinking.
- What interest do you have in Gothic literature?
- Why are you interested in this course? What made you decide to take it?
- What is your earliest memory of anything Gothic? For example, I can remember my mother taking me to see The Wizard of Oz in a theater. The wicked witch was so green and frightening and those gnarled talking trees so sinister, that I started to cry. Mom had to take me to the lobby for popcorn and a soda to calm me down. To this day, I am not a fan of the movie.
- How do you react to horror movies or stories? Do you scream? Do you laugh? Do you want to run? Do you anxiously await the next page or scene?
- Perhaps you love Halloween or all things that go bump in the night. Share a memory.
- Do you believe in ghosts, or are ghosts simply figments of the imagination?
- What about monsters, phantoms, ghouls, vampires, or zombies, are they real or imagined?
Assignment #3: Take an inventory of your Gothic reading to this point in time. The sites listed below contain lists. I realize that this genre might be new to some readers. If you have not read any, focus on the second list.
You will be making two personal lists.
- Peruse the lists and make a list of the books you have already read. Give a 1-5 rating for each with 1 being poor and 5 being outstanding. (10 points)
- Create a second list of five books you would like to read. Include one sentence for each explaining why the title was of interest to you. (10 points)
- What is your favorite Gothic novel, story, or poem at this point in time? Explain why in a paragraph or two. (10 points)
- Lists:
Feel free to look at other lists as you come across them.
Assignment #4: Conduct research and write a 1-2 page
documented essay defining Gothic literature. What is Gothic literature?
Where and when did it start? Who are the famous authors? What are some
of the more common elements of the genre? What settings might one
expect? What is the role of women in Gothic literature? What types of
characters might one expect to find? What is the role of psychology?
These are just a few of the elements that could be explored. Feel free
to branch out.
Use MLA style. That means you will include in-text citations for any
borrowed information. You also need to include a Works Cited page.
Here are some links to MLA guidelines.
Sample Essay
I find it useful to review a sample essay that correctly uses MLA style. If you are a pro already, you do not need to look at the sample.
And - a few words about plagiarism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyEr04c5nuM
Tip: Avoid plagiarism! Give credit to your sources. It matters.
Suggested Gothic Literature Links
Characteristics of Gothic literature: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b73OCo4iicI (12 minute PowerPoint lecture)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNohDegnaOQ The Gothic from The British Library
(8 minutes)
Also see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvayCQWnGaI&list=PL7IUFUlkSyf_NmyXuByp43RfBQbaeOfCp The Origins of Gothic
This is followed by 14 additional short lectures of 2-5 minutes
each by David Punter. Each segment covers a specific element of Gothic
literature.
(There are many additional YouTube productions you might find useful. Feel free to search further.)
Other links:
http://www.virtualsalt.com/gothic.htm (This site provides comprehensive charts and lists.)
Please explore other sites as well. These links will give you a place to start.
Assignment #5: Weekly Discussion Board
There will be a discussion board each week. Make your initial post by midnight on Thursday of each week. This will give others time to respond to you. Canvas give me a time stamp of each post.
You must add to the discussion and post at least two but not more than
four times. (Two or three sentences per post.) Do not wait until 11:00pm
on Sunday night to do this! Pace yourself and post throughout the week.
Topic: Reflections on the Gothic - Reality or Imagination?
I leave this rather generic. I want to see what you have to say. Some
might share a favorite book, author, or story. Others might have memories of
Halloween or other "spooky" events. Some might be skeptics!
Be courteous.
Use appropriate language - no profanity or vulgarity.
Use complete sentences.
No comments:
Post a Comment