ENGL 247 | Introduction to Popular Genres

This topics course offers an introduction to the fiction of a designated popular genre (fairy tales, sci-fi, detective fiction, romance, etc.), covering constitutive elements of the genre and its history. Readings explore both conventional and experimental iterations of the genre, and consider the relationship between individual works, the conventions of genre, and their specific social contexts. In this course students think about the relationship between formal conventions, subject positions, and historical context, to gain a better understanding of the ways in which popular fiction reflects, refracts, or even challenges popular mores. The course topic is determined by the instructor. Recent topics include "Fantasy Literature," "Superhero Comics," "Afrofuturism," and "Multiethnic Detective Fiction." Please consult the department website for information on current and upcoming offerings.