Fiction - Vampires & Zombies
English elective: Fiction (Vampires & Zombies)
New Town High School
Fall 2009 (One semester course)

Instructor: Ms. Anderson
Contact: www.msanderson.net
              Elizabeth.Anderson@sendit.nodak.edu

Grading scale: standard, see student handbook

Classroom expectations: see student handbook and classroom contract

Scope: The study of literary and cultural phenomena surrounding stories of
vampires and zombie from around the world and throughout history.

Major works of literature:
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Interview with The Vampire by Anne Rice
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth
Grahame-Smith


    Instructor’s Goals:
  • Students will understand and appreciate the cultural and historical
    context of horror stories featuring vampires and zombies.
  • Students will engage in analysis of the horror genre within varied
    cultural/historical contexts.
  • Students will enjoy reading classic works of literature as well as
    popular contemporary fiction.
  • Students will demonstrate the ability to comprehend and conceptualize
    literary criticism through the lense of genre

Please note that the following schedule is subject to change throughout the
year. Units may be shortened or lengthened and projects/assignments
may be added, removed or altered based on the needs and interests of
each group of students.

Quarter 1:

Week 1: Personal introductions, negotiate classroom contract, intro to world
folklore about death and dying

Week 2: Introduction to the historical roots of vampire stories.
          Video: Vampire Secrets (History Channel documentary)
    Introduction to Bram Stoker and the modern vampire

DRACULA STUDY GUIDE

Week 3: Read Dracula by Bram Stoker, audio book and journal writing

Week 4: Read Dracula by Bram Stoker, audio book and journal writing

Week 5: Read Dracula by Bram Stoker, audio book and journal writing
    Video: Bram Stoker’s Dracula (Hollywood production)
    Essay: What does Bram Stoker’s novel tell us about the historical/cultural
context in which he lived?

Week 6: Book clubs: The class will be divided into two book clubs. One will
read and discuss Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire and the other will
read and discuss Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight. Each students will be asked to
complete written responses to select questions from the discussion guide.

Week 7: Book clubs.

Week 8: Book clubs.

Week 9: The class will come together as one to compare/contrast both
vampire novels. Students will then compose a literary analysis essay about
contemporary interest in vampires.

Quarter 2:

Week 1: Introduction to the zombie concept - reanimated bodies
    Video: Search for the Real Frankenstein (documentary)

Week 2: Read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, complete study guide and
journal responses

Week 3: Read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, complete study guide and
journal responses

Week 4: Read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, complete study guide and
journal responses.
    Video: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (Hollywood production)
     Complete short-essay test about the book.

Week 5: Video: The Unexplained: Zombies (documentary)
     Compose narrative fiction pieces wherein a well-known story is retold to
include the presence of zombies.

Week 6: Introduction to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Background on
Jane Austen and the original book.
    Video: Pride and Prejudice (BBC Production)

Week 7: Read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, audio book and journal
responses

Week 8: Read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, audio book and journal
responses

Week 9: Read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, audio book and journal
responses. Final exam will focus on this book with a few scattered questions
about the others we have read.