Popular Literature

The paper will trace the emergence of a mass printing culture from the nineteenth century onwards, and the rise of genres such as Literature for Children, Detective Fiction, Science Fiction, and Graphic Fiction. The course introduces students to the idea of ‘popular literature’ and stresses its importance within modern culture. It familiarises students with the debate between ‘high’ and ‘low’ culture, and the tension between what is studied as ‘canonical’ texts and other texts. Students will also engage with issues concerning print culture, bestsellers, and popular literature in other media.