Service Description

This group will trace the genre of detective fiction from its formation in the nineteenth century to its contemporary reincarnations. From C. Auguste Dupin, Sherlock Holmes, and Hercule Poirot to contemporary streaming series like True Detective or Tana French’s bestselling Dublin Murder Squad books, fictional detectives captivate readers, listeners, and viewers across cultures and media forms. As we read and discuss selected detective stories, we’ll explore such questions as: Why are secrets at the heart of so many novels and other cultural forms? How does literature make detectives of its readers? How and why has the detective developed as a literary figure? How have new technologies and emerging media changed the stories we tell about detection? In investigating such questions, we’ll aim to crack the case of why detective stories are so compelling to readers and viewers. Designed for high school students seeking a taste of college, undergraduates looking to keep sharp in the summer, or adult learners keen to explore an interest, this course will simulate a college seminar. While there will be no formal assignments, participants will be encouraged to do short readings (or occasionally viewings or listenings) in between classes in order to get the most out of our discussions. SAVE MONEY WITH STUDENT POWER At learnallot.com, our student-powered pricing model makes it so that students can band together and lower the price of this service. See how much you could save in the chart below!