Crime and American Detective Fiction

Catalog description

This course examines the origins of detective fiction by looking at select representative works of the earliest writers of the genre and then explores how American writers rejected the traditional mystery, creating a unique literary genre. Heavily influenced by an existing mixed tradition of American literature (e.g., gothic literature, historical romance), American writers of detective fiction formed a new hero, the hard-boiled private eye. Students will read works of writers who created and transcended the genre-Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and Ross Macdonald-and writers who have continued the tradition, adding unique perspectives and previously marginalized voices. Components: Class GE: HA Humanities & Arts, HA-H Humanities Prereqs/Coreqs: P or C: ENGLISH 1230 or consent of instructor Typically Offered: Fall