GUMSHOES AND GUNSLINGERS
Fall 2000
Winston
Office: East College 401
Office Hours: Tuesday, 11-2 , and by appointment
Telephone: (245-) 1363; FAX: (717) 245-1942
E-mail: winston@dickinson.edu
Homepage: http://www.dickinson.edu/~winston/
What could mystery novels set in Victorian England, 1930s California, 1960s Stockholm, and 1970s Amsterdam have in common? How could they possibly relate to three novels set on the frontier of the American West? These are some of the questions we will explore as we study two forms of genre fiction: detective novels and westerns. We will also look at two film adaptations to see how a different medium transforms works of literature. In another vein, we'll ask how all of these works connect to the cultures that produced them. Last but not least, we'll tackle the big question: just why have these sorts of novels remained so popular?
| Sat, 08-26 |
Introduction: Reading the Syllabus Characteristics of Early Detective Fiction: The Example of Sherlock Holmes |
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| Mon, 08-28 | Sherlock Holmes (cont.) | |
| Wed, 08-30 | Edgar Allan Poe | "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" |
| Fri, 09-01 | Edgar Allan Poe | "The Purloined Letter" |
| Mon, 09-04 | Workshop: Writing a Critical Paper | Diagnostic Paper Due |
| Wed, 09-06 | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle | The Hound of the Baskervilles |
| Fri, 09-08 | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle | The Hound of the Baskervilles |
| Mon, 09-11 | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle | The Hound of the Baskervilles |
| Wed, 09-13 | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle | The Hound of the Baskervilles |
| Fri, 09-15 | Raymond Chandler | The Big Sleep |
| Mon, 09-18 | Raymond Chandler |
The Big Sleep; Paper #2 Draft Due |
| Wed, 09-20 | Raymond Chandler | The Big Sleep |
| Fri, 09-22 | How to "Read" a Film | |
| Mon, 09-25 | Film: The Big Sleep | |
| Wed, 09-27 | Film: The Big Sleep | |
| Fri, 09-29 | Sjöwall and Wahlöö | The Laughing Policeman |
| Mon, 10-02 | Sjöwall and Wahlöö |
The Laughing Policeman; Paper #2 Final Draft Due |
| Wed, 10-04 | Sjöwall and Wahlöö | The Laughing Policeman |
| Fri, 10-06 | Sjöwall and Wahlöö | The Laughing Policeman |
| Mon, 10-09 | Janwillem van de Wetering | The Streetbird |
| Wed, 10-11 | Janwillem van de Wetering | The Streetbird |
| Fri, 10-13 | NO CLASS: Mid-Term Pause | |
| Mon, 10-16 | Janwillem van de Wetering | The Streetbird |
| Wed, 10-18 | Janwillem van de Wetering | The Streetbird |
| Fri, 10-20 | Characteristics of the Western | |
| Mon, 10-23 | Owen Wister |
The Virginian; Paper #3 Due |
| Wed, 10-25 | Owen Wister | The Virginian |
| Fri, 10-27 | Owen Wister | The Virginian |
| Mon, 10-30 | Owen Wister | The Virginian |
| Wed, 11-01 | Zane Gray | Riders of the Purple Sage |
| Fri, 11-03 | Zane Gray | Riders of the Purple Sage |
| Mon, 11-06 | Zane Gray | Riders of the Purple Sage |
| Wed, 11-08 | Jack Schaefer | Shane |
| Fri, 11-10 | Jack Schaefer | Shane |
| Mon, 11-13 | Jack Schaefer |
Shane; Paper #4 Due |
| Wed, 11-15 | Jack Schaefer | Shane |
| Fri, 11-17 | Jack Schaefer | Shane |
| Mon, 11-20 | Jack Schaefer | Shane |
|
Thanksgiving Vacation |
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| Mon, 11-27 | Film: Shane | |
| Mon, 11-29 | Film: Shane | |
| Fri, 12-01 | Film: Shane | Annotated Bibliography Due |
Requirements:
Three formal essays and an annotated bibliography, each counting
approximately 20% [You will also be asked to write a diagnostic
essay; you will be given credit for completing the assignment,
but the essay will not count toward the final grade. Assignments
will be distributed during the course of the seminar.]
Careful preparation, regular attendance, active and thoughtful participation, informal writing and other assignments, together counting approximately 20%
Students must complete all requirements of the course in order to pass the course. This course follows College policies regarding all matters of academic dishonesty; it is the responsiblility of each student to know the policies. Please see the current Dickinson College Student Handbook and other appropriate sources.
The instructor reserves the right to adjust the syllabus as
necessary.