American Tales of the Uncanny: From Washington Irving to George Saunders

What do America's tales of the uncanny reflect about its national consciousness? This six-week course examines American spectral fiction as a reflection of the nation's hopes, fears, and complex, often unacknowledged histories. From colonial anxieties to contemporary innovation, we will trace the evolution of the genre as it exposes historical trauma and challenges social norms. The course journey begins on the early frontier, moves through the Southern Gothic and 19th-century explorations of feminism, and confronts 20th-century horror's treatment of inescapable trauma. We conclude with innovative contemporary fiction, including magical realism and experimental narratives that question meaning and renewal in modern American life. Authors studied will include Washington Irving, E. A. Poe, Shirley Jackson, Stephen King, Toni Morrison, and George Saunders. This program fosters a deep appreciation for how the uncanny reflects and shapes American culture.
Continuing Education Units (CEU) : 0

You'll walk away with

• Analyze how American spectral fiction reflects historical anxieties, social norms, and cultural identity across different periods
• Examine the evolution of the uncanny in American literature, from early frontier tales to contemporary magical realism and experimental narratives
• Evaluate the ways authors use horror, the supernatural, and the uncanny to address trauma, meaning, and renewal in American life

Ideal for

• Literature buffs
• All members of the community—working, retired, and in-between