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Lecturer(s)
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Dvořáková Šárka, Mgr.
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Livingstone David, Mgr. Ph.D.
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Siedloczek Marian, Mgr. Ph.D.
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Roztočil Tomáš, Mgr.
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Woock Elizabeth Allyn, Mgr. PhD.
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Jařab Josef, prof. PhDr. CSc.
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Janebová Markéta, Mgr. Ph.D.
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Course content
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unspecified
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook)
- Homework for Teaching
- 60 hours per semester
- Preparation for the Course Credit
- 20 hours per semester
- Attendace
- 20 hours per semester
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Learning outcomes
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Topic: Vampires. Exploring the History of a Nightwalker, winter semester 2026 The BLOCK course will be taught by Prof. Dirk Vanderbeke (Friedrich Schiller University Jena). Dates: The twelve lessons will be distributed across the following three blocks: 15-16 October 2026 12-13 November 2026 3-4 December 2026 Each block includes: ? 2 sessions on Thursday (15:00?18:15) ? 2 sessions on Friday (9:45?13:00) Course outline: Genre literature may be regarded as substandard, trivial, and sometimes even as trash, but it is the literature that most readers enjoy, and it does in its own way deal with pertinent problems and questions. Vampire stories ? and movies ? are no exception, and in this seminar, we will follow the figure of the nightwalker through the centuries, starting with the vampire in folklore and then moving on to the more recent incarnations (if that should be the correct word for someone who is undead). In each of the first two sections we will read one short story and one novel and also discuss one movie, starting in October with John Polidori?s ?The Vampyre? and Bram Stoker?s Dracula (the novel and Francis Ford Coppola?s film). In the November section we will read C.L. Moore?s SF story ?Shambleau? and Anne Rice?s Interview with the Vampire; the movie will probably be Sinners. The last section is a bit tricky, as there is not one new classic on vampires but rather several novels and films that could be discussed together. I suggest that we read two novels and watch two movies ? yes, I know that seems to be a lot, but then the texts are popular literature, and it should be possible to manage them. Originally, I had planned to rigorously dismiss Twilight from the agenda, but to my dismay I had to realize that this is not possible if we want to look at the latest variants of the vampire. So, I suggest that we read Twilight, the first volume of the series, and the first of the Southern Vampire Mysteries, Dead Until Dark. The movies could be Let the Right One In and A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night. But this is still open to discussion, and we can decide on the final syllabus in the first session. Digital versions of the texts will be uploaded on this webpage. I will provide digital copies of the movies when I come to Olomouc in October ? bring a device to download the movies in the first session. Be prepared to watch Coppola?s Dracula either prior to the first section or on that Thursday evening so that we can discuss it on Friday. I will also show the movies each Thursday evening at 8 p.m. for those who still remember that once upon a time watching movies was a social activity. This is a seminar on vampires, and thus there will be a lot of blood, violence and also some rather explicit sexuality. Consider all trigger warnings to be in place!
This intensive course is offered as a block seminar, providing a concentrated and immersive learning experience. To benefit from this course, you will need to prepare before every class by completing the assigned reading and watching the required films. Our discussions and activities depend on everyone arriving prepared. Please enrol only if you are ready to make this commitment throughout the semester.
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Prerequisites
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Good knowledge of the English language and willingness to read crime fiction. Successful completion of UL00/ULOO: Introduction to the study of literature or an equivalent course.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Analysis of Creative works (Music, Pictorial,Literary), Written exam
Credit requirements ? Attendance ? Active participation ? Required reading and film viewing ? Final essay: o 6?8 pages (BA students) o 8?10 pages (MA students)
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Recommended literature
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Nickerson, Catherine Ross. (2010). The Cambridge Companion to American Crime Fiction.
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Priestman, Martin. (2003). The Cambridge Companion to Crime Fiction.
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Rollyson, Carl. (2008). Critical Survey of Mystery and Detective Fiction.
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Rzepka, Charles, and Lee Horsley. (2010). A Companion to Crime Fiction. Wiley.
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Scaggs, John. (2005). Crime Fiction.
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Winks, Robin. (1998). Mystery and Suspense Writers. Charles Scribner's Sons.
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