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From prehistoric legends to contemporary pop culture, the world has been in thrall to the myth of the vampire. Now is a chance to explore the rich literary heritage of the undead. Authors include Bram Stoker, Théophile Gautier, Sheridan Le Fanu, George MacDonald, Anne Rice and Tanith Lee. We’ll also discuss vampires on film, from Bela Lugosi to Twilight.
No prior knowledge required, although the reading of the set texts is essential.
Students will need to be able to confidently use videoconferencing software and be comfortable with using websites.
In order to participate in this course, you will need access to a computer with a speaker, microphone and a good internet connection. An internet browser is required to access the online learning platform. Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are the recommended browsers.
1. Introduction
Short extracts by John Keats, Charles Baudelaire, Charles Nodier, Lawrence Durrell*.
2. Romantic & 19th Century Vampires
Ludwig Tieck, The Bride of the Grave*, Theophile Gautier, The Beautiful Dead*, Sheridan Le Fanu, Carmilla.
3. Bram Stoker I
Bram Stoker, Dracula (first half) and Dracula’s Guest.
4. Bram Stoker II
Bram Stoker, Dracula (second half).
5. Vampires at the Fin de Siècle
Robert Louis Stevenson, Olalla*, Walter de la Mare, Seaton’s Aunt*, Mary Elizabeth Braddon, Good Lady Ducayne.
6. Anne Rice I
Anne Rice, Interview with the Vampire (first half)
7. Anne Rice II
Anne Rice, Interview with the Vampire (second half). Overview of The Vampire Chronicles.
8. Tanith Lee I
Tanith Lee, Dark Dance (first half) and Bite-Me-Not, or Fleur de Feu.
9. Tanith Lee II
Tanith Lee, Dark Dance (second half). Overview of The Blood Opera.
10. Vampires for the New Millennium
Stories from The Penguin Book of Vampire Stories
*Indicates short texts to be given as online handouts.
This course will be delivered via live online sessions.
Tutorial based.
By the end of the course students will be able to:
Identify literary techniques and devices in a variety of texts.
Analyse and evaluate syntax, figurative language and narrative mechanisms.
Discuss the relationship between a vampire narrative and the social context in which it is told.
Analyse how variations in the vampire myth may be influenced by a society’s changing fears and changing notions of family.
Compare and contrast vampire fictions from three different decades and three continents.
Students should not purchase books until the course is confirmed to run, and their teacher instructs them to do so.
Apart from The Penguin Book of Vampire Stories, all texts are available in multiple editions. Any complete edition is acceptable for the purposes of this course:
Lee, Tanith (2017) Dark Dance, London, Immanion Press
MacDonald, George (2013) Lilith, London, Stonewell Press.
Rice, Anne (1976) Interview with the Vampire, London, Futura.
Ryan, Alan (ed.) (1989) The Penguin Book of Vampire Stories, London, Penguin.
Stoker, Bram. (2004). Dracula [1897], Oxford, Oxford University Press.
If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.
If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.