Fall 2009

REE 302 • The Vampire in Slavic Cultures

Course Description

This course examines the vampire in the history and cultures of Russia, the Balkans, and Central and Eastern Europe, including manifestations in literature, religion, art, film and common practices. Texts—both print and non-print media, both Slavic and non-Slavic—will be drawn from Russian, Czech, Slovak, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Romany, Serbian and Croatian sources. Participants will be asked to separate historical fact from popular fiction (where possible!) and form opinions about the place and importance of the vampire in Slavic and other Central European cultures. The course is conducted in English. No knowledge of Russian is required, though readings in Russian and other Slavic languages are available for majors and concentrators in the field.

Grading Policy

Short essay I (5 pp.) 25% Midterm exam 25% Short essay II (5 pp.) 25% Final exam 25%

Texts

The Darkling: A Treatise on Slavic Vampirism. Jan L. Perkowski, Columbus, OH: Slavica Publishers, 1989. (photocopy) The Vampire Casebook, Alan Dundes, Madison, WI: University of WisconsinPress, 1998. Packet of Readings.

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