Serial Sensations
ENGL 338
Spring 2020
| Section:
01
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Regardless of their medium or period, serial texts are often associated with sensationalism. Not only do they frequently feature sensational plots, but by virtue of producing intense fan cultures the texts themselves become public sensations. From "Bleak House" to Marvel comics, and from "Game of Thrones" to the podcast "Serial," serials have produced vibrant if not fanatical fan forums and fan cultures. This course will examine the aesthetics and politics of serial texts ranging from didactic novels to gory and racy ones, and from television shows to podcasts and audio books. Throughout the course of the semester, students will engage in forms of serial reading, listening, and writing, and will discuss the effect of the serial format on plot, characterization, and genre. Moreover, they will examine the ways in which the serial format shapes narrative desire, and the ways in which it molds reading and viewing habits--that is, the mechanisms and logics through which a serial reader, listener, or viewer is produced. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA ENGL |
| Course Format: Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (ENGL) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 75% - 89% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Ned Buntline, MAGDALENA, THE BEAUTIFUL MEXICAN MAID
* Wilkie Collins, THE WOMAN IN WHITE (text + audiobook from librivox )
Martin Delany, BLAKE
* Charles Dickens, BLEAK HOUSE (text + audiobook from librivox)
Charlotte Perkins Gilman, HERLAND
Herman Melville, BENITO CERENO,
George Schyler, BLACK EMPIRE
Harriet Beecher Stowe, UNCLE TOM¿S CABIN (excerpts + audiobook clips from librivox)
*TV shows: PENNY DREADFUL, THE WIRE
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Examinations and Assignments:
weekly 1-page response papers, two 3-page short papers, one 15-minute presentation, two 5-page close-reading papers, final 10-page paper |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This course fulfills the Literary History II requirement of the English major. |
| Instructor(s): Bilbija,Marina Times: ..T.R.. 01:20PM-02:40PM; Location: FISK101; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 19 | | SR major: 4 | JR major: 6 | | |
| Seats Available: 3 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 2 | JR non-major: 3 | SO: 4 | FR: X |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 1 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 1 |
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