恐怖小說

The course offers a close reading of selected horror stories by some of the most influential writers who have helped create the tradition of horror literature. Despite the horror literature being dubious in its literary value and generic property, the textual reading and class discussion as planned here are hoped to provide a better understanding of the dubiousness in question, which may prove itself to be the very fearful attraction of horror stories themselves. n.b. the course lecture will be delivered in mandarin.

1. Intro 2. Stephen King, “The Reach” (I) 3. Shirley Jackson, “The Summer People”; Ray Bradbury, “The Crowd” (II) 4. H. P. Lovecraft, “The Call of Cthulhu” (I) 5. Group presentation (I) 6. Theodore Sturgeon, “Bright Segment” (II) 7. Charlotte Perkins Gilman, “The Yellow Wallpaper” (I) 8. Group presentation (II) 9. Mid-term 10. Stephen King, “Crouch End” (II) 11. optional 12. Algernon Blackwood, “The Willows” (I) 13. Holiday 14. Group presentation (I) 15. Philip K. Dick, “A Little Something for Us Tempunauts” (II) 16. Kazuo Ishiguro, Two Stories (handout) (I+II) 17. Group presentation (II) 18. Final

Weekly in-class oral report, and written outline 30% Mid-term exam and project 30% Final project 40%

David G. Hartwell. “The Dark Descent.” (to be put in the library’s reserved shelf)