Mysteries, American style [ LGERM2872 ]

To have successfully followed the courses of English literature in the Bachelor programme, and to show a strong interest in this area of research. Writing a master's dissertation on a topic of the seminar is not a condition for registering.

The content of the seminar depends on the research carried out in the unit and the master dissertations undertaken by the students; it thus changes every year.

To give the students a chance to participate in a collective research project and pursue their own research project within this methodological framework, possibly in connection with the writing of their master's dissertation and other research activities.

• Continuous assessment of each student's participation in the seminar.
• Oral exam.
• The writing of a paper is optional.

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This semester, the seminar will have as its overall topic "Mysteries, American Style".  Authors of classic short stories to be studied include Lardner, Chandler, Millar, Oates and King.  A full-length novel by Sharyn McCrumb will provide the opportunity for a fuller analysis.

Hillerman, Tony and Otto Penzler, eds.  The Best American Mystery Stories. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2000.

• Ring Lardner's "Haircut". 133-143
• Raymond Chandler's "red Wind". 235-278
• Margaret Millar's "The Couple Next Door". 443-457
• Joyce Carol Oates' "Do With Me What You Will". 556-567
• Stephen King's "Quitter, Inc.". 568-586

McCrumb, Sharyn. The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter.  New York, Onyx, 1993

One-day visit to the Plantin Moretus Museum, Antwerp.