Course Catalogue

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This course explores the intercultural dimensions of vampire fiction, examining works from a range of countries and investigating various incarnations of vampire fiction (in literature and film) across cultural and linguistic boundaries.

20 x 1 hour seminars over semesters 1 and 2

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into one of the SMLC Honours programmes, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

None

None

Written Assignment, aimed at a general audience (2,000 words) - 50%

Written Assignment, in the form of an academic essay (2,000 words) - 50%

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

■ Analyse the cultural history of the vampire in a range of fictional works

■ Compare the representation of vampire figures in various cultures and periods across different genres and media

■ Examine critically the figure of the vampire as metaphor for a range of social anxieties related, in particular, to the otherness

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Express in written form for a general audience a clear overview of the cultural history of the figure of the vampire in fiction and a cogent analysis of selected works and concepts

■ Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of the set texts and the critical debates on the figure of the vampire in the form of an academic essay on a specific aspect of the course material

■ Demonstrate the ability to take account of formal elements and generic conventions, as well as the shaping effects of historical and social context, on literary production

■ Manifest a command of an appropriate range of critical terminology and concepts and the capacity to apply these approaches with relevance and discrimination.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.