Description:
Are you a loyal fan of Edgar Allan Poe? Enjoy being scared by Stephen King?
Have you wondered if Poe's raven is actually a demonic, supernatural being with a message of eternal punishment or merely a lost pet, trained to say a single word?
Have you found that both these author's stories and poetry, along with mystery and horror, contain deep, underlying feelings of pathos, misery, and depression that seem to resonate within this “modern” world?
Are you fascinated with King's imagination and writing style?
Have you read several of their works that made you want to read more?
If so, this course is definitely for you.
Although Poe died over 150 years ago, he continues to inspire strong feelings, both in his admirers and in his critics, just as he did in the latter half of the nineteenth and early years of the twentieth centuries. Although he is most famous for his horror stories, Poe has influenced many writers such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Ray Bradbury, and especially Stephen King.
Inventor of the murder mystery, innovator of the science fiction genre, master of gothic tales of horror, and literary critic, Poe commands a significant position in literature, not only in the United States but also throughout the world.
Stephen King is the modern master of gothic horror. He is such a prolific writer than fans don't have a long wait for newly published work. While both writers have an obsession with death, grief, mystery, and gloom, they are unique in their writing styles.
In this course, you will read, research, analyze, and discuss specific works by Poe and King and their literary techniques. Throughout the course, you will compare King's work to Poe's stories.
Specifically, students will:
1. write their own gothic story
2. participate in discussions and travel online to Poe's burial site to learn more about Poe
and the mysteries that surround him and King
3. compare the two writers
4 research a variety of author-related web sites and gather information from articles and
essays
5. work with other students collaboratively in wikis and blogs
6. participate in small and whole class group activities
By the end of the class, you should be able to appreciate more clearly why so many readers are devoutly addicted to Poe and King. Their influence cannot be overestimated.
Join us as we enter the realm of gothic horror!
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