“Horror is not a genre. It is not a category or type of fiction, meant to be packaged and
positioned safely on certain shelves in bookstores and libraries. The persistence of horror in
literature—its uncanny ability to capture the imagination of each new generation of readers—
serves as the most powerful clue that horror exists, thrives, lingers, and occasionally triumphs
because, unlike any other supposed kind of fiction, it invokes an emotion.
“I’ve said that before—and unfortunately, I’m probably going to have to say it again . . .
and again. But horror is not a genre; it is an emotion, exercised—at least in its best moments—in
insistently progressive novels and stories whose essential elements evolve to meet the fears and
anxieties of their times.”
--Douglas E. Winter
Dept. of Language and Literature
LIT 2310
HORROR, FANTASY, and SCIENCE FICTION
Dr. Doug Ford
Fall 2009
Office: 645
Office Hours: 8:30-10, 2:30-3 MWF
8:30-9:30 11-12:30, 2-3:00 TR
12:00-2:00 F
Office Phone: 408-1501
E-mail: fordd@scf.edu
Web page: http://faculty.mccfl.edu/fordd/fordd.htm
SCF Virtual Library: http://www.mccfl.edu/pages/109.asp
Course Description:
Prerequisites: ENC 1101 and concurrent registration in or completion of ENC
1102 with a grade of "C" or better. This course meets the Area IV requirement for
A.A./A.A.S./A.S. general education requirements, the 6,000-word Gordon Rule
requirement and part of the six-hour International/Intercultural requirement.
Critical and historical analyses of these popular genres, with emphasis on major
authors and subgenres, including their connection to cultural experiences and
historical moments; coverage of texts includes early inceptions of Gothic writing
and extends into contemporary authors.
Course Performance Standards:
The student, at the completion of the course, should be able to:
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Identify the thematic and formal components of the conventional horror,
fantasy, or science fiction text.
Distinguish between the different subgenres of horror, fantasy, and science
fiction, as well as their historical development and foundation.
Demonstrate knowledge of the vocabulary necessary for the study and
discussion of horror, fantasy, or science fiction literature.
Demonstrate increased critical thinking and reading skills through detailed
analysis and explication of horror, fantasy, or science fiction texts.
Demonstrate heightened college-level writing skills through essays,
reader-response journals, research writing projects, and other writing
assignments.
Demonstrate more developed research skills necessary to locating print
and electronic sources relevant to the study of horror and its historical and
social contexts.
Demonstrate the ability to interact effectively with peers in panel
discussions and group presentations.
Demonstrate knowledge of canonical and non-canonical authors relevant
to the development of horror, fantasy, and science fiction as genres.
Demonstrate a basic understanding of social, political, and cultural
influences on horror, fantasy, and science fiction literature.
Demonstrate an understanding of critical and theoretical issues discussed
in secondary sources.
Demonstrate an ability to identify recurring themes and conventions in
horror, fantasy, or science fiction literature.
Texts and Required Materials:
 Dark Descent, Ed. David G. Hartwell. Tor
 Three Vampire Tales. Ed. Anne Williams. New Riverside Editions
 The Woman in Black. By Susan Hill. David R. Godine, Publisher, Inc.
 The Strange Case of Dr, Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. By Robert Louis Stevenson.
Signet
 Carrie. By Stephen King. Pocket Books
 Black Hole. By Charles Burns. Pantheon
 An activated SCF e-mail account
 Access to a computer for ANGEL activities and out-of-class writings
Attendance Requirement
Because this course involves students sharing viewpoints and discussing literature,
consistent attendance is mandatory. Missing four class meetings compromises a
student’s ability to interact with professor and classmates, and I may ask students to
withdraw at this point. Accordingly, students who miss more than four class meetings
and remain in the class will receive an F for their participation grade, and their final
course grade will drop by one letter. Hence, a passing grade may become a failing one
because of absences. Please note that I do not distinguish between excused and
unexcused absences, and please do not ask me to make exceptions.
In addition, excessive and/or frequent tardiness will result in a penalized
participation grade. Students who arrive late on a regular basis will not receive
higher than a C grade in participation, and the grade may become an F, depending
on the frequency of tardiness.
Late Paper Policy
Please note that I do not give passing grades to late assignments. If you cannot attend
class on the day that an assignment is due, you should e-mail me your work either as an
MS Word attachment, or embedded in the text of the e-mail on the day that the
assignment is due. Note: my e-mail address is fordd@scf.edu, as indicated at the
top of this syllabus. I grant extensions only in the event of an illness or injury to your
own body that can be verified with official documentation from a medical professional.
Withdrawal Policy:
In accordance with the Manatee Community College policy as stated in the college
catalog, students may withdraw from any course or all courses without academic penalty
of a WF by the withdrawal deadline as listed in the Manatee Community College
academic calendar. This semester, this date is October 30th. The student must take
responsibility for initiating the withdrawal procedure. Students are strongly encouraged
to talk with their instructors first before taking any withdrawal action.
Gordon Rule:
This course meets the Florida State Board of Education Rule Number 6A-10.30. In
accordance with this rule, students will complete written assignments totaling
6,000words. A grade of C or better is required for credit in Gordon Rule classes.
Regarding Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is the use of ideas, facts, opinions, illustrative material, data, direct or indirect
wording of another scholar and/or writer—professional or student—without giving
proper credit. As a general standard, MCC stipulates that expulsion, suspension, or any
lesser penalty may be imposed for plagiarism. As a personal rule, I do not pass students
who plagiarize, even if it is just a single sentence.
Standards of Conduct:
Students are expected to abide by all Lancer Student Handbook guidelines. Also,
students must silent cell phones before the beginning of class. If your cell phone goes off
during class, you will have to stand up and dance to your ring-tone.
Format for Writings:
Formal essays, which you print out and turn in for a grade, should be submitted in a
format that conforms to the MLA style. In the upper left hand corner, students should
list their name, the course, the professor’s name, and the date. The student’s last name
and page number should be included in the upper right hand corner of every page. Also,
in accordance with the MLA style, each paper should include a Works Cited page listing
all relevant material. I prefer one-inch margins, with a 12 pt. font (either Times New
Roman or Courier).
Note: I do not accept papers that do not conform to the MLA style. Turning in a paper
without a Works Cited page, for example, will be returned with no grade (a student can’t
pass the course unless all work is graded).
Required Writing Assignments:
All of the following assignments must be completed in order to pass the course.
Explication/Panel Essay (400+ words):
This paper will offer a close
reading of one text that we’ve read during the semester. For this paper, you will choose
one passage from the story and argue why it is the most important line in the reading
selection. In other words, you will find a passage in the story that you see as essential to
the understanding of the whole story it comes from. You must quote this passage
somewhere in the paper, then explain why you chose it. In this paper, you may explain
how this passage helps you understand a theme, a concept, or a character in the story
from which it comes. As with any paper, you should include quotations and other
relevant details from the text you are discussing. The paper must also come with a Works
Cited page, as always. This paper will be part of a panel presentation that students
will conduct in groups of three or four. Minimum word length: 400 words
“Horror vs. Terror” Essay (800+ words): While people generally equate the
two words, they tend to mean something different, and the texts we read this semester
may evoke both of them in different ways. This assignment calls upon you to determine
what separates horror and terror by comparing two different texts from our reading
assignments. You should not consult or quote a dictionary in this assignment.
Instead, to successfully complete this paper, you will need to find your own language to
describe what differentiates horror from terror. To explain and support your thesis, you
will need to use details from the two texts you have chosen. However, do not summarize
the texts; assume that your reader (me) has read these works, although you are
encouraged to use quotation and cite details that illuminate your ideas.
Since this essay is not a research paper, you should establish your own thesis, your
own evidence, and your own conclusion. Use quotations to demonstrate that you have
read closely and have paid attention to detail. Since this assignment is not a research
paper, you should not be presenting other people’s opinions, research, or information. If
you ignore this guideline (which would be unwise), be sure to cite your research to
avoid plagiarism (which would be even worse).
“Vampire” Research Essay (1,200+ words): While vampires are currently
enjoying a renaissance in today’s popular culture (Twlight? True Blood?), where would
they be without Sheridan Le Fanu or Bram Stoker? Here’s your assignment: choose
either Carmilla or Dracula, and compare that text’s depiction of vampirism to another
depiction of vampires that we have not read or discussed in class (speaking of Twilight
and True Blood, ask me before choosing either of those—I’d like to see variety and
imagination.) You may choose a novel, a short story, a film, a television show, a comic
book—anything that you can read in some depth. For your thesis, evaluate the
effectiveness of the text you have chosen. Does it any way improve upon what Stoker or
Le Fanu have given us?
This paper has a research component. You will need to find a valid, academic source
that helps you understand the way these texts present vampirism. Specifically, your
paper should examine the basis for how the writers present vampirism. Have they based
their representations on folklore? Other media representations? Are they borrowing
from other writers? Your paper should include at least two secondary sources, and these
may consist of scholarly books (which we have a selection of in the library), interviews,
reviews, or some other reliable source that helps you understand vampirism. Electronic
sources are acceptable, but watch out—there are LOTS out there, and many of them are
not reliable. Watch for anything that ends in .com. Instead, be smart: explore the
library’s databases. Your grade will thank you.
Multi-Media Group Presentation: For this project, you will work in a group
consisting of three or four students (not two, not five), and you will collaborate on
compiling and organizing information about a particular subject for your classmates to
enjoy. This may also become a creative project if you and your teammates choose to
make it so. The point will be to have fun with the learning process (though slackers will
be left to fend for themselves in Castle Dracula). Here are some possibilities, though I’m
open to other ideas:
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Put together an in-depth Powerpoint presentation on a topic touched upon in class.
Be sure to go beyond the information we already covered. Include Works Cited
information to show your sources.
Compile a series of film-clips that dramatize something we touched upon in class.
Provide the class with some analysis of how these film-clips add to our
discussion. Also provide research to supplement these clips.
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Put together your own anthology of horror poetry or fiction (obviously with
different selections than what our books offer), including an introduction and, if
someone is so inclined, illustrations.
Adapt one of the texts we’ve read into a radio play. Either record it, or act it out
in class.
Everyone in your team must contribute. No matter what your team decides to do, each
team must submit to me a memo, signed by each team member, with bulleted list of what
each member contributed.
Exams:
This course will involve both a mid-term and a final examination. Students
will have to identify significant passages and explain why they are relevant to the texts
from which they come. Students who do not keep up with the reading schedule will find
these very difficult to pass. There will be no multiple choice or fill-in-the-blank exams in
this course.
Quizzes and Participation:
I will frequently give quizzes to verify that you
completed reading assignments. Reading quizzes will take place at the very beginning of
class, and students who arrive late cannot take these quizzes. If you arrive while I am
administering one of these quizzes, I will ask you to wait outside the door until they
are finished. At the end of the semester, I will average your quiz grades and use these as
the basis for your participation grade. Your participation grade will go up or down from
there, depending upon the quality and quantity of your contributions to class discussions.
Also, because this is a web-enhanced course, I may occasionally ask you to log-in to
ANGEL in order to participate in an online discussion. Failure to participate in
those discussions in the assigned way will result in the loss of participation points.
To get an A in participation is pretty simple. You must do the following:
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Get an A average on your quizzes
Show some interest in the material by offering thoughts, questions, and feedback
during class discussion (I’m not grading you on your napping skills).
Complete miscellaneous in-class writing assignments in good faith and effort
Contribute in a meaningful way to your panel discussion
Have faithful attendance (missing less than four classes).
Arrive on time
Failure to do any of these will lower your participation grade. Disruption of class—for
example, carrying on a private discussion or talking on your cell phone during course
proceedings—will result in a participation grade of no higher than a D. Also, not
attending class on the day of your panel will result in a drastically lowered
participation grade, and your final course grade will drop two letters. I will be very
stingy about giving make-ups for this assignment, so don’t get caught off guard.
Grading:
All of the following assignments must completed in order to pass this
course.
“Horror vs. Terror” Paper (800 words) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 points
Explication/Panel Paper (400 words) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150 points
Vampire Research Paper (1,200 words) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 points
Multi-Media Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 points
Mid-term Exam (1,200 words). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 points
Final Exam (1,200 words) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150 points
Quizzes/Participation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 points
900-1000 points=A
800-899 points=B
700-799 points=C
600-699 points=D
Below 600 points=F
ALL WORK MUST COMPLETED IN ORDER TO PASS THIS COURSE.
Calendar of Assignments:
Consider this schedule tentative, since these dates might change as the class’s specific
needs become clear. When you are absent, you should contact another classmate to
find out what is due on our following meeting. Failing to do so can result in being
unprepared for class and facing a grade penalty.
8/25: Introductions; start viewing American Nightmare
8/27: Finish American Nightmare with discussion; “The Autopsy” (DD pg. 175);
9/1: “John Charrington’s Wedding” (DD, pg. 203); “Schalken the Painter” (DD, pg. 445)
Panel 1
9/3: “Ash Tree” (DD pg. 40); “The New Mother” (DD, pg.50); panel 2
9/8: “What Was It?” (DD, pg. 864); “The Damned Thing” (DD pg. 880); Panel 3
9/10: “The Rats in the Walls” (DD, pg. 431); “The Call of Cthulhu” (DD pg. 85); “
APPLY FOR DECEMBER GRADUATION BY TOMRROROW!
9/15: Due: Horror Vs. Terror Paper
9/17: “Sticks” (DD pg. 209); “Crouch End” (DD pg. 690)
9/22: Woman in Black; Panel 5
9/24: Woman in Black
9/29: Mid-term
10/1: Carmilla (note: you can find both Carmilla and Dracula in Three Vampire
Tales)
10/6: Carmilla
10/8: Dracula
10/13: Dracula
10/15: Dracula (ONLINE CLASS)
10/20: Dracula
10/22: Dracula
10/27: Dracula
10/29: Due: Multi-Media project
THE LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW W/OUT ACADEMIC PENALTY IS 10/30
11/3: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
11/5: “Dread” (DD pg. 339); “Bright Segment” (DD pg. 321) Panel 6
11/10: “The Swords” (DD pg. 291; “Mackintosh Willy” (DD pg. 591)
11/12: Due: Vampire Research Paper
11/17: “Beautiful Stranger” (DD pg. 874); “My Dear Emily” (DD pg. 516)
11/19: “The Summer People” (DD pg. 108); “The Hospice” (DD pg. 970); Panel 7
11/24: “Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper” (DD pg. 255) ; “The Crowd” (DD pg. 167); “The
Whimper of Whipped Dogs” (DD pg. 118)
11/26: THANKSGIVING
12/1: Carrie
12/3: Carrie
12/8: Black Hole
12/10: Black Hole
12/14-17 Final Exam Week