Gothic Fictions (ENGL30013)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject offers an introduction to the contexts, nature, form and enduring cultural power of Gothic fiction in modernity. It examines the formal conventions of Gothic fiction as they related to the social, cultural, economic and political contexts in which it first appeared in the late 18 th century. It also tracks ways in which the genre was reworked through the 19 th and 20 th centuries. The subject connects changing historical structures of patriarchal and paternal authority to the aesthetics of horror and terror, and links modern notions of individuality to conceptions of monstrosity.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should have:
- demonstrated a familiarity with the formal conventions and devices of Gothic fictions;
- a general understanding of the social, cultural and political contexts in which this genre first appeared;
- the ability to demonstrate an awareness of recent feminist and psychoanalytic accounts of the Gothic;
- the ability to identify the formal and thematic differences between male and female Gothic; and
- an understanding, in general terms, some of the ways in which Gothic fiction developed in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should gain generic skills in:
- social, ethical and cultural understanding;
- critical, creative and theoretical thinking;
- information management and information literacy;
- intelligent and effective communication of knowledge and ideas; and
- written communication.
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
670-328 Gothic Fictions
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Assessment
Additional details
- An essay of 1,500 words (40%), due mid-semester
- An essay of 2,500 words (60%), due in the examination period
- Hurdle: This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 80% attendance and regular participation in tutorials. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Peter Otto Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 30 hours: a 1.5-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial per week. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 23 July 2018 to 21 October 2018 Last self-enrol date 3 August 2018 Census date 31 August 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 21 September 2018 Assessment period ends 16 November 2018 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
A subject reader will be available.
- J. Austen, Northanger Abbey, ed. Claire Grogan (Norton Critical Edition)
- C. Dacre, Zofloya: Or the Moor (OUP)
- M. Lewis, The Monk, World’s Classics, (OUP)
- E. A. Poe, The Selected Writings of Edgar Allan Poe, ed. G R Thompson (Norton Critical Edition)
- A. Radcliffe, The Italian (OUP)
- M. Shelley, Frankenstein, ed. P Hunter (Norton Critical Edition)
- B. Stoker, Dracula, ed. Auerbach & Skal (Norton Critical Edition)
- A. Carter, Heroes and Villains (Penguin)
Films may include:
- F. F. Coppola, Bram Stoker’s Dracula
- F. W. Murnau, Nosferatu: Eine Symphonie des Grauens
- J. Whale, Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein
- Subject notes
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major English and Theatre Studies Specialisation (formal) English and Theatre Studies Minor European Studies Major Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Studies Major Specialisation (formal) Graduate Certificate in Arts - English and Theatre Studies Breadth Track English - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 9 April 2025