College Lit Course

[Coolallosaurus]

You must be kidding, right? I note you have The Stand or It in your list

hahaha, point taken! The Stand or It is the course-long read (i.e. the students start reading at the beginning of the semester and we'll discuss it at the end). As much as I love 11/22/63, it would be too much. Ah, this syllabus does not get any easier to finalize!

 

[Neesy]

hahaha, point taken! The Stand or It is the course-long read (i.e. the students start reading at the beginning of the semester and we'll discuss it at the end). As much as I love 11/22/63, it would be too much. Ah, this syllabus does not get any easier to finalize!

Okay - got it! No problemo

 

[Coolallosaurus]

Yes, that is a quandary. Pet Sematary would probably be an easier book to dissect and correlate to other gothic novelists (Hawthorne, Ambrose, Lovecraft). I think it's a fierce book and, except for a minor hiccup in the narrative/timeline, it's near perfect. It's my favorite for a reason.

All good points!

 

[GNTLGNT]

....I would go with "Lot".....I feel it spawned a whole revival in the vampiric mythos......

 

[Spideyman]

Finalizing my course readings, and I really need some Constant Readers to weigh in on two things in particular. 1) I am torn between The Dead Zone and Salem's Lot. The course is designed to introduce students to the study of King's work, so I'm going with his greatest hits/works that had a significant impact on literature and/or pop culture. I initially started with The Dead Zone, but am now leaning towards Salem's Lot since it came right after Carrie. Thoughts (even just general preferences)? and 2) General thoughts about the readings? One thing I noticed is I don't have anything from the early-mid 2000's. Are there any books you would swap out or in? In other words, is there a book missing here, for you as a Constant Reader, that really defines King's work/influence as a writer? We're at a book per week, so I can't add any additional texts which makes this sooooo difficult! Below are the books we'll be reading:

On writing (2000)

Carrie (1974)

The short stories (selections)

The Shining (1977)

The Long Walk (1979)

The Dead Zone or Salem's Lot (1979)

Misery (1987)

Pet Sematary (1983)

The Green Mile (1996)

The Gunslinger (1982)

The Stand or It (1978 or 1986) [class vote]

Different Seasons (1982)

Elevation (2018)

I'd suggest Salem's Lot- this article might give you some additional insight'

Spoiler: Link to article

Keys to the Kingdom - The Bill Thompson Interview (Part Two) - Suntup Editions

 

[Coolallosaurus]

....I would go with "Lot".....I feel it spawned a whole revival in the vampiric mythos......

I'd suggest Salem's Lot- this article might give you some additional insight'

Spoiler: Link to article

Keys to the Kingdom - The Bill Thompson Interview (Part Two) - Suntup Editions

Thank you both! Thanks also for the article, Spideyman! Okay, so Salem's Lot it is. My goal is to finalize this syllabus tonight. I'll share when I get a second tomorrow. Classes don't start until January 16, so plenty of time to get feedback from t y'all and make revisions. Thank you all again!

 

[Tery]

Well, my first SK book was The Dead Zone but, in your syllabus, Salem's Lots will probably work better. I wish I could audit your course

 

[Coolallosaurus]

Well, my first SK book was The Dead Zone but, in your syllabus, Salem's Lots will probably work better. I wish I could audit your course

Thanks for weighing in! I do love The Dead Zone so much, and it's such a relevant book. I may add excerpts. And glad to hear my course sounds interesting enough to want to audit!!! That makes me so happy. I've never been so excited to teach before.

 

[mal]

Go with the Lot otherwise you'll be discussing comparisons to Trump. The Lot was my first when I was 13 and it was the key that opened the door to the rest of the King universe. It sounds like you are having a blast and I'm jealous. Let me know when it's an online course! All the best, mal

 

[Coolallosaurus]

Go with the Lot otherwise you'll be discussing comparisons to Trump. The Lot was my first when I was 13 and it was the key that opened the door to the rest of the King universe. It sounds like you are having a blast and I'm jealous. Let me know when it's an online course! All the best, mal

Good point, Mal! Given everyone's feedback, Salem's Lot is officially on the syllabus, and The Dead Zone has been removed (although I'll probably do excerpts). Will definitely keep you posted about online possibilities. If all goes well, I might try to turn the class into a MOOC. It would be easy enough, I'd just have to record the lectures.

 

[GNTLGNT]

Good point, Mal! Given everyone's feedback, Salem's Lot is officially on the syllabus, and The Dead Zone has been removed (although I'll probably do excerpts). Will definitely keep you posted about online possibilities. If all goes well, I might try to turn the class into a MOOC. It would be easy enough, I'd just have to record the lectures.

....Zone would be a great jump off to a political comparison and contrast.....

 

[Coolallosaurus]

....Zone would be a great jump off to a political comparison and contrast.....

Very, very true! And super cool to show students how political and historical movements often repeat themselves, but in different iterations (i.e. nothing is new). I'm dedicating a week to student presentations on King we didn't get to read. I'm hoping at least one student will go for The Dead Zone.

 

[king family fan]

Very, very true! And super cool to show students how political and historical movements often repeat themselves, but in different iterations (i.e. nothing is new). I'm dedicating a week to student presentations on King we didn't get to read. I'm hoping at least one student will go for The Dead Zone.

Your class sounds very interesting.

 

[Coolallosaurus]

Your class sounds very interesting.

Thank you! Absolutely thrilled to be teaching it!