The detective in popular modern crime fiction
Time: 14:45 - 16:45
Location: Keeley Street
- Course Code: HLT332
- Dates: 14/05/24 - 18/06/24
- Time: 14:45 - 16:45
- Taught: Tue, Daytime
- Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Christine Hawkins
Course Code: HLT332
Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
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What is the course about?
This in-college literature course focuses on the development of the male detective figure in recent crime fiction. In crime fiction from the beginnings of the genre through to the 1980s, the male detective was an aloof figure, solely focused on the mechanics of the investigation, and little attention was paid by authors to his personal life, background and professional motivations. More recently, a trend has emerged in the genre where much of the attention of the novel is placed on the emotional life of the detective and perhaps how inner conflicts and troubled pasts impact upon the investigation.
The course will analyse the fiction in detail, considering how knowledge of the detective's life and empathy with his story affects the reading experience. Some questions this course considers are why the figure of the male detective remains so dominant in the genre, especially given that these course texts are all by female authors. Other examples of crime novels will be explored which further highlight this preoccupation. A key question is why is male anxiety more interesting to the reader? Further analysis will focus on some contemporary female detective characters, thinking about what wider point may be being made about gender, empathy and how this affects the approachability and trustworthiness/ effectiveness of police. The course will also consider ideas around book series and how marketing and investment impacts upon the genre.
What will we cover?
Topics covered in this course include the psychological inner world of the detective, detection and gender, male anxiety versus female anxiety, a discussion on what sells crime novels and a consideration of whether knowing about the detective’s other life make readers appreciate or rate their detective skills more. The topic of female writers and the crime genre will also be covered, thinking about the dominance of the male detective character. What makes a male detective figure more alluring than a female one?
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
Be knowledgeable about the recent history and trends in crime fiction
Understand how gender impacts upon crime fiction
Understand how the genre has changed to adapt to modern ideals and trends
Compare modern texts with historic texts, noting how characterisation has changed
Read a range of texts and consider how the reader is emotionally engaged and impacted.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a course for anyone who is interested in crime fiction.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The sessions will consist of a short introductory talk, followed by whole class discussion, questions and group work.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please buy or borrow:
P.D James, A certain Justice
Tana French In The Woods
The tutor to provide extracts of Robert Galbraith, Career of Evil and other short extracts tbc.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Look for other fiction courses under History, Culture and Writing/Literature/Fiction at www.citylit.ac.uk.
Dr Christine Hawkins has extensive experience in teaching across a wide range of ages for many years. Her Phd surveyed Victorian policing, and early women police and detectives within fiction and real life instances. Her other research interests include sensation fiction, walking cultures, London and of course, crime fiction. She currently teaches at Queen Mary, University of London, on London, childhood, and diaspora. She is presently working on a novel set in 18th century England. Christine has a life-long love of Victorian novels and crime writing, and is slowly working her way through practically every crime novel ever written.
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.