Module: Gothic

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Gothic
Module Code	EL306 (ITS) / LIT1035 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	English
Module Co-ordinator	Gearoid O'Flaherty
Module Teachers	Paula Murphy
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Coursework Only
The repeat Autumn assignment will duplicate the format of the assignment from the second semester.

Description

The aims for this module are to study examples of Gothic texts and film from the eighteenth century to the present day in their social and cultural contexts. Using a selection of textual and visual resources students will engage in a detailed overview of the various ways in which discourses of the Gothic have developed from eighteenth century to the present day by reflecting on the meanings and role of these texts and films in developing dialogues of Gothic and to consider the role of popular culture in the development and longevity of this genre. Students will be introduced to the various historical and social contexts in which Gothic has achieved prominence; be able to trace the development of a Gothic culture (in art, architecture, literature and film) and to develop a further appreciation of the role of both Gothic literature and film in connecting to the apprehensions of contemporary society.

Learning Outcomes

1. Be aware of the historical and cultural origins of Gothic and its conceptual evolution from Romanticism and Victorianism to the present day.
2. Become acquainted with the various social contexts in which Gothic has achieved prominence.
3. Be able to trace the development of a Gothic culture in art, literature and film.
4. Be introduced to iconic film directors of the genre (from Alfred Hitchcock, William Friedkin, George Sluizer, Stanley Kubrick, Tim Burton, Tomas Alfredson) and become familiar with Gothic literary and cinematic discourse (cinéma d'auteur, mise-en-scène, cinematography techniques, shot selection, lighting, film score etc).
5. Develop a further appreciation of the role of Gothic literature and film in connecting to the apprehensions of contemporary society.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	22	Covering a range of primary texts (novels and short stories), critical works, contexts and concepts associated with the Gothic.
Directed learning	12	A selection of Gothic films are screened, critiqued and discussed.
Independent Study	91	Studying the prescribed primary texts; suggested works of secondary criticism; documentaries that analyse and critique critical aspects of the module content and personal research and revision.
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Brontë, Emily. Wuthering Heights

Du Maurier, Daphne. Rebecca

Jackson, Shirley. The Haunting of Hill House

Poe, Edgar Allan. Tales of Mystery and Imagination

Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein

Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Essay	Mid-Semester Assignment	30%	Week 8
Assignment	End of Semester 'Final Assignment'	70%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Botting, Fred: 1996, Gothic, Routledge,
Cosgrove, B. (ed).: 1995, Literature and the Supernatural, Dublin,
Davenport-Hines, Richard: 1998, Gothic, Straus and Giroux, Farrar,
Durgnat, Raymond: 2002, A Long Hard Look At Psycho, BFI Publishing,
Eagleton, Terry: 2005, Holy Terror, Oxford,
McGrath, Patrick: 1996, The New Gothic, Picador,
Kael, Pauline: 1965, I Lost It At the Movies, Brown,
Skal, David J: 1990, Hollywood Gothic, Straus and Giroux, Farrar,
Skal, David J: 1993, The Monster Show: A Cultural History of Horror, Penguin,
Zizek, S: 1992, Enjoy Your Symptom!, RKP,
Zizek, S: 1997, The Plague of Fantasies, RKP,

Other Resources

0, Film Screenings - Indicative:, 0, 48403, Film, Alfred Hitchcock, 1940, Rebecca, USA, 48405, Film, Alfred Hitchcock, 1955, Psycho, USA, 52277, Film, William Friedkin, 1973, The Exorcist, USA, 52278, Film, Stanley Kubrick, 1980, 'The Shining', USA, 48407, Film, George Sluizer, 1988, Spoorloos/The Vanishing, FR/NL, 48408, Film, Tim Burton, 1990, Edward Scissorhands, USA, 48409, Film, Tomas Alfredson, 2008, Låt Den Rätte Komma In/Let The Right One In, SWE,