Serial Sensations
ENGL 338
Fall 2025
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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. This course asks you to engage with the long history of serial forms from the nineteenth century to the present, and in so doing, examine the continuities between Victorian reading practices and our reading and viewing habits today. Contributes to fulfillment of ENGL major requirements: American Literature, British Literature, Literary History 2, Theory, elective. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA ENGL |
| Course Format: Discussion | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (English) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 75% - 89% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Wilkie Collins, The Moonstone
George Eliot, The Lifted Veil
Pauline Hopkins, Of One Blood
Herman Meliville, Benito Cereno
Ludwig von Reizenstein, Mysteries of New Orleans
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Examinations and Assignments:
8 Blog post, 2 short papers, annotated bibliography + final presentation |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Contributes to the fulfillment os ENGL major requirements: American Literature, British Literature, Literary History 2, Theory. |
| Instructor(s): Bilbija,Marina Times: ..T.R.. 02:50PM-04:10PM; Location: TBA |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 5 | JR major: 5 | | |
| Seats Available: 15 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 2 | JR non-major: 2 | SO: 1 | FR: X |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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