As indicated in the information sheet (and web site) for this course, I would like each of you to develop an individual course project relating to the general subject of "the Gothic." This project may be a conventional one (perhaps a "paper" of the sort you write for conventional literary-historical courses) or it may take an alternative form (a "creative" work, an electronic or cinematic project, or something else). I will ask you to involve me in formulating your project topic, and I will ask you to present your project to the class in some form, both as you are working on it and during the final weeks of the semester.
As in any seminar, this individual project will be a major, substantial undertaking on which you will work independently, based on your own individual interests, expertise, objectives, and abilities. I encourage you to use this project as an opportunity to "stretch," creatively and intellectually. Take on something different, something challenging that really intrigues you, and let me help you (as necessary) decide how to proceed to make the project most profitable and enjoyable for you. I'd like you think about this project as a true "culmination" to your work not just as an English major but also as a 21st-century university student and a citizen of the world that exists outside the artificial boundaries of this campus.
What do I have in mind here? There are many possibilities. One might be a historically oriented study of a particular work or author from the Gothic tradition – preferably one whose work we have not studied in detail in this course. Another might be a cultural study of the conditions and circumstances surrounding the popularity (or public attraction) of "the Gothic" at some particular historical moment. Still another might be a documentary or demographic study of the readerships for Gothic fiction. Or you might trace the cultural or aesthetic dynamics involved in the reception of Gothic literature (or Gothic art) by surveying contemporary reviews and other comments on individual works. Or you might wish to go in another direction and study – perhaps from a psychological or sociological perspective – the continuing popularity of Gothic art and/or of "the Gothic" in general.
Alternatively, for those of you who are so minded, you might consider an interdisciplinary study that involves literature and extra-literary "texts" like film (including animated film of course), photography, architecture, or other phenomena in the visual arts. Or theatre (including opera), for that matter. Or even video games. And certainly music, in all its variety.
Finally, you may wish to undertake some sort of "creative" project, perhaps involving more than one medium, or perhaps electronic in nature.
Whatever you decide, I'd like you to let me know by the end of October at the latest what you plan to pursue for your project. I'll be happy to talk with you about options and choices, motives and methodologies.
Finally, I will ask you to talk with the class about your project, beginning on Tuesday, 15 November. I will want you to discuss what you are working on, why you chose that subject, and how you are proceeding with the necessary research. The first presentations, because they are early, will probably be somewhat sketchy. But every presentation needs to be presented carefully, articulately, and in an intellectually engaged fashion. Like the physical end product, I consider your class presentation itself to be a "graded" exercise.
Because of UNL's new 15th week policy, all projects must be submitted by 6 December. That deadline is final and unalterable. According to this new policy, I am not allowed to grant any exceptions or extensions.