21st Century Folk Tales: myth and magic in the global world
This course focuses on innovative short fiction from around the globe which reworks folkloric traditions to grapple with conditions of twenty-first century life. As well as engaging with the unique folkloric influences each text draws on, we’ll consider the complexities of the present that they are addressed to – and how the rising popularity of ghost stories, fairy tales, dark fables and surreal myths suggests a renewed
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Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This 4- week literature course is about twenty-first century fiction that reworks folkloric traditions to grapple with conditions of twenty-first century life
Each week we will focus on two short stories from popular and critically acclaimed collections, including Carmen Maria Machado’s Her Body and Other Parties, Mariana Enriquez’ The Dangers of Smoking in Bed, Bora Chung’s Cursed Bunny and Megan Kamalei Kakimoto’s Every Drop is a Man’s Nightmare. We will explore each story by tracing the local folkloric traditions that the author draws upon, and how they morph and acquire new significance in the modern world.
Through the lens of myth and magic we’ll discuss the dark forces, haunted legacies, perplexing mysteries and unruly monsters which are shown troubling the present and recapturing our imaginations. As well as thinking through the question of why writers might choose to draw on folklore to approach the complexities of contemporary life and culture, we will also explore why they hold such appeal to us as modern readers.
What will we cover?
As we delve into these compelling and intriguing stories, we'll cover a range of topics and ideas about the role of folk magic, myths, monsters, and cultural memory in fiction. We will consider how these may allow us to confront the complexities of the contemporary world, from ecological crisis to economic precarity.
As well as the specific cultural traditions that are at play in each story, we will consider the complex, diasporic presents that they speak to - from post-industrial Korea to postcolonial Hawaii - and their blending of various genres, from folk horror to fairy tale. We’ll also think about the different experiences of the present that these novels stage - from marginalised genders and sexualities, to urban environments and ecological catastrophe.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Be familiar with a range of contemporary writers who incorporate folk traditions in their work.
Have an understanding of the renewed popularity of folkloric traditions in contemporary world fiction.
Be able to analyse and unpack these stories confidently.
Have some understanding of various folk traditions of magic, myths, monsters and cultural memory across a range of cultural contexts.
Extend your understanding of literary form and twenty-first century culture.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is for anyone interested in the subject, regardless of whether they have studied literature before. All that is needed is an interest in contemporary fiction and enthusiasm for reading texts critically and discussing them with others.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Work outside the class involves doing the set reading for each week, with questions for you to think about in advance.
There will be a variety of teaching methods, including whole group and small group discussions, mini-lectures, working with additional material including critical essays and close reading. While the sessions will be guided by the tutor, there will be an emphasis on group discussion with opportunities for each participant to share their own responses to the texts.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Digital versions of the stories will be provided by the tutor.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
The same tutor will be teaching HLT300 Non-Human Narratives this term online. Look for other Literature courses at https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanitiesk/literature.
Dr. Katie Goss is an independent scholar, writer and artist whose research covers contemporary literature, culture and thought, queer-feminist theory and philosophy, psychoanalysis, trans* studies, posthumanism, and the environmental and medical humanities. They have taught for a number of years in the School of English and Drama at Queen Mary, University of London and their work has been published or is forthcoming in journals including Transgender Studies Quarterly and Film-Philosophy and edited collections like The Edinburgh Companion to Queer Reading and The Queer Feminist Decolonial Ecologies Dossier (LADA 2020). They are currently working on the publication of their PhD research which explores the ‘plasticity’ or bio-material transformability of contemporary embodiment through womxn’s writing and film.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/21st-century-folk-tales-myth-and-magic-in-the-global-world33962921st Century Folk Tales: myth and magic in the global worldhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/fiction-1024.jpg7979GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Fiction/Courses/New courses/Courses/vm/Contemporary Culture Courses in London/Courses/vm/World culture/Courses/Halloween Courses/Courses/Weird and wonderful City Lit228511771187118817431717134081701174512285117711871653<p>This course focuses on innovative short fiction from around the globe which reworks folkloric traditions to grapple with conditions of twenty-first century life. As well as engaging with the unique folkloric influences each text draws on, we’ll consider the complexities of the present that they are addressed to – and how the rising popularity of ghost stories, fairy tales, dark fables and surreal myths suggests a renewed fascination with the intrigues of the mysterious, monstrous and inexplicable.</p>00300189121st Century Folk Tales: myth and magic in the global world7979https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/fiction-1024.jpgInStockEveningFriKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-01-23T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJan 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHLT399797921st Century Folk Tales: myth and magic in the global world795179Katie Goss21st-century-folk-tales-myth-and-magic-in-the-global-world/hlt399-2526<p>This course focuses on innovative short fiction from around the globe which reworks folkloric traditions to grapple with conditions of twenty-first century life. As well as engaging with the unique folkloric influences each text draws on, we’ll consider the complexities of the present that they are addressed to – and how the rising popularity of ghost stories, fairy tales, dark fables and surreal myths suggests a renewed fascination with the intrigues of the mysterious, monstrous and inexplicable.</p>0010-StartedAvailable|2026-01-23 00:00:00<p>This 4- week literature course is about twenty-first century fiction that reworks folkloric traditions to grapple with conditions of twenty-first century life</p><p>Each week we will focus on two short stories from popular and critically acclaimed collections, including Carmen Maria Machado’s <em>Her Body and Other Parties</em>, Mariana Enriquez’ <em>The Dangers of Smoking in Bed</em>, Bora Chung’s <em>Cursed Bunny</em> and Megan Kamalei Kakimoto’s <em>Every Drop is a Man’s Nightmare</em>. We will explore each story by tracing the local folkloric traditions that the author draws upon, and how they morph and acquire new significance in the modern world. </p><p>Through the lens of myth and magic we’ll discuss the dark forces, haunted legacies, perplexing mysteries and unruly monsters which are shown troubling the present and recapturing our imaginations. As well as thinking through the question of why writers might choose to draw on folklore to approach the complexities of contemporary life and culture, we will also explore why they hold such appeal to us as modern readers. </p><p> </p><p>This course focuses on innovative short fiction from around the globe which reworks folkloric traditions to grapple with conditions of twenty-first century life. As well as engaging with the unique folkloric influences each text draws on, we’ll consider the complexities of the present that they are addressed to – and how the rising popularity of ghost stories, fairy tales, dark fables and surreal myths suggests a renewed fascination with the intrigues of the mysterious, monstrous and inexplicable.</p><p>As we delve into these compelling and intriguing stories, we'll cover a range of topics and ideas about the role of folk magic, myths, monsters, and cultural memory in fiction. We will consider how these may allow us to confront the complexities of the contemporary world, from ecological crisis to economic precarity. </p><p>As well as the specific cultural traditions that are at play in each story, we will consider the complex, diasporic presents that they speak to - from post-industrial Korea to postcolonial Hawaii - and their blending of various genres, from folk horror to fairy tale. We’ll also think about the different experiences of the present that these novels stage - from marginalised genders and sexualities, to urban environments and ecological catastrophe. </p><ul><li>Be familiar with a range of contemporary writers who incorporate folk traditions in their work.</li><li>Have an understanding of the renewed popularity of folkloric traditions in contemporary world fiction.</li><li>Be able to analyse and unpack these stories confidently.</li><li>Have some understanding of various folk traditions of magic, myths, monsters and cultural memory across a range of cultural contexts.</li><li>Extend your understanding of literary form and twenty-first century culture. </li></ul><p> </p><p>This course is for anyone interested in the subject, regardless of whether they have studied literature before. All that is needed is an interest in contemporary fiction and enthusiasm for reading texts critically and discussing them with others.</p><p>Work outside the class involves doing the set reading for each week, with questions for you to think about in advance.</p><p>There will be a variety of teaching methods, including whole group and small group discussions, mini-lectures, working with additional material including critical essays and close reading. While the sessions will be guided by the tutor, there will be an emphasis on group discussion with opportunities for each participant to share their own responses to the texts. </p><p> </p><p>Digital versions of the stories will be provided by the tutor. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The same tutor will be teaching HLT300 Non-Human Narratives this term online. Look for other Literature courses at https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanitiesk/literature. </p>LiteratureFictionvirtual797951HLT399NONEFri23/01/26 - 13/02/2618:00 - 19:3018:0019:304 sessions (over 4 weeks)41 to 4 weeksWeekdayKSKeeley StreetKatie GossBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-01-23T00:00:00+00:00EveningJan 2026Culture, history & humanities797921st Century Folk Tales: myth and magic in the global world21st-century-folk-tales-myth-and-magic-in-the-global-world/hlt399-2526<p>This course focuses on innovative short fiction from around the globe which reworks folkloric traditions to grapple with conditions of twenty-first century life. As well as engaging with the unique folkloric influences each text draws on, we’ll consider the complexities of the present that they are addressed to – and how the rising popularity of ghost stories, fairy tales, dark fables and surreal myths suggests a renewed fascination with the intrigues of the mysterious, monstrous and inexplicable.</p>0010-StartedAvailable|2026-01-23 00:00:00<p>This 4- week literature course is about twenty-first century fiction that reworks folkloric traditions to grapple with conditions of twenty-first century life</p><p>Each week we will focus on two short stories from popular and critically acclaimed collections, including Carmen Maria Machado’s <em>Her Body and Other Parties</em>, Mariana Enriquez’ <em>The Dangers of Smoking in Bed</em>, Bora Chung’s <em>Cursed Bunny</em> and Megan Kamalei Kakimoto’s <em>Every Drop is a Man’s Nightmare</em>. We will explore each story by tracing the local folkloric traditions that the author draws upon, and how they morph and acquire new significance in the modern world. </p><p>Through the lens of myth and magic we’ll discuss the dark forces, haunted legacies, perplexing mysteries and unruly monsters which are shown troubling the present and recapturing our imaginations. As well as thinking through the question of why writers might choose to draw on folklore to approach the complexities of contemporary life and culture, we will also explore why they hold such appeal to us as modern readers. </p><p> </p><p>This course focuses on innovative short fiction from around the globe which reworks folkloric traditions to grapple with conditions of twenty-first century life. As well as engaging with the unique folkloric influences each text draws on, we’ll consider the complexities of the present that they are addressed to – and how the rising popularity of ghost stories, fairy tales, dark fables and surreal myths suggests a renewed fascination with the intrigues of the mysterious, monstrous and inexplicable.</p><p>As we delve into these compelling and intriguing stories, we'll cover a range of topics and ideas about the role of folk magic, myths, monsters, and cultural memory in fiction. We will consider how these may allow us to confront the complexities of the contemporary world, from ecological crisis to economic precarity. </p><p>As well as the specific cultural traditions that are at play in each story, we will consider the complex, diasporic presents that they speak to - from post-industrial Korea to postcolonial Hawaii - and their blending of various genres, from folk horror to fairy tale. We’ll also think about the different experiences of the present that these novels stage - from marginalised genders and sexualities, to urban environments and ecological catastrophe. </p><ul><li>Be familiar with a range of contemporary writers who incorporate folk traditions in their work.</li><li>Have an understanding of the renewed popularity of folkloric traditions in contemporary world fiction.</li><li>Be able to analyse and unpack these stories confidently.</li><li>Have some understanding of various folk traditions of magic, myths, monsters and cultural memory across a range of cultural contexts.</li><li>Extend your understanding of literary form and twenty-first century culture. </li></ul><p> </p><p>This course is for anyone interested in the subject, regardless of whether they have studied literature before. All that is needed is an interest in contemporary fiction and enthusiasm for reading texts critically and discussing them with others.</p><p>Work outside the class involves doing the set reading for each week, with questions for you to think about in advance.</p><p>There will be a variety of teaching methods, including whole group and small group discussions, mini-lectures, working with additional material including critical essays and close reading. While the sessions will be guided by the tutor, there will be an emphasis on group discussion with opportunities for each participant to share their own responses to the texts. </p><p> </p><p>Digital versions of the stories will be provided by the tutor. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The same tutor will be teaching HLT300 Non-Human Narratives this term online. Look for other Literature courses at https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanitiesk/literature. </p>LiteratureFictionconfigurable
11881187Fictionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/literature/fiction1/2/285/1177/1187/11881/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Fiction
