The Scottish Gothic: fantastic and supernatural
Key facts
- Cost: £0
- Credits: 10
Summary
The Gothic, with its claustrophobic spaces, brooding landscapes, dark secrets, and nightmarish visitations, is arguably, alongside Halloween, Scottish ghostly gift to the world. Romantic and Victorian fiction writers such as James Hogg, J.M. Barrie, Margaret Oliphant, Robert Louis Stevenson, and George MacDonald pioneered the genre, laying down a disturbing trend of supernatural storytelling that terrified readers for generations. But how did Scotland become the crucible for such disturbing fantasies? Why are we drawn to them? What kinds of anxieties around class, gender, sexuality, nationality, race, crime and capitalism do they vicariously explore? What is the legacy of these dark tales?
Join this course to explore the dark art of Gothic storytelling in Scottish Romantic and Victorian literature and the wider cultural, social and political fears it brought to life via the sinister and supernatural.
Over a series of talks and collective close-readings, our expert tutor will explain:
- The role of five key Scottish ghost-fiction writers in establishing a Scottish Gothic literary mode (namely James Hogg, J.M. Barrie, Margaret Oliphant, Robert Louis Stevenson, and George MacDonald)
- how specific notable stories from these writers employ literary techniques and devices to create specific reactions and how these conventions establish a Gothic genre or effects
- the broader historical context of these texts including the acute cultural, social and political anxieties lurking in their representation of the supernatural, fantastic and sinister.
You will also have the chance to discuss and reflect on what you learn with other students and the tutor in seminars
Choose this course if you want to learn:
- more about several important Scottish ghost story writers, how they established the Gothic literary mode and how it came to partly define the character of Scottish literature at this time
- how to closely analyse specific stories to understand how certain effects were created and articulate what you find
- more about the broader historical context of the stories and how the supernatural offered an imaginative space to explore specific social anxieties
Over a series of talks and collective close-readings, our expert tutor will explain:
- The role of five key Scottish ghost-fiction writers in establishing a Scottish Gothic literary mode (namely James Hogg, J.M. Barrie, Margaret Oliphant, Robert Louis Stevenson, and George MacDonald)
- how specific notable stories from these writers employ literary techniques and devices to create specific reactions and how these conventions establish a Gothic genre or effects
- the broader historical context of these texts including the acute cultural, social and political anxieties lurking in their representation of the supernatural, fantastic and sinister.
You will also have the chance to discuss and reflect on what you learn with other students and the tutor in seminars
Choose this course if you want to learn:
- more about several important Scottish ghost story writers, how they established the Gothic literary mode and how it came to partly define the character of Scottish literature at this time
- how to closely analyse specific stories to understand how certain effects were created and articulate what you find
- more about the broader historical context of the stories and how the supernatural offered an imaginative space to explore specific social anxieties
Who is this course for?
Anyone new to studying literature and interested in:
- The Gothic, horror, the supernatural and fantasy fiction, including its many generic descendants (thriller, mystery, science fiction)
- Scottish Literature
Qualifications/credits
10 credits at SCQF 7 / Level 1
Can contribute towards the attainment of Certificate or Diploma in Higher Education
Assessment
- One 1,500 word essay (75% of final grade)
- 1 x 750 word close reading exercise (25% of final grade)
Mode of study
This 10-week course will be delivered via 2-hour seminars led by a tutor.
Course materials will be provided via our online learning platform Moodle
Prospects
- Can begin your study of literature at university level
- contribute towards a Certificate or Diploma in Higher Education
- can inform your personal reading list and introduce you to some literary classics
Find out more
The University holds open days throughout the year where you can meet with staff to discuss our short course provision. Find out more about University of Glasgow open days
Available sessions
- Date: 26/09/2024 - 28/11/2024
Day: Thursday
Time: 19:00 - 21:00
Reference: The Scottish Gothic: fantastic and supernatural(5427) book now