Twenty-first Century Folklore: myth and magic in the global world

What is the course about?

This online literature course is about twenty-first century fiction in English and in translation from Korea, Argentina, Syria and Indonesia, and 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, Osama Alomar's The Teeth of the Comb and Other Stores, and Intan Paramathida's Apple and Knife. 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.

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

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 melding 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. If you wish to purchase the complete collections they are from from, please see below:

Megan Kamalei Kakimoto, Every Drop Is a Man's Nightmare (Bloomsbury 2023)
Carmen Maria Machado, Her Body and Other Parties (Graywolf Press 2017)
Bora Chung, Cursed Bunny (Honford Star, 2022)
Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology (Knopf Doubleday, 2023)
Mariana Enriquez, The Dangers of Smoking in Bed (Granta 2022)
Tanya Tagaq, Split Tooth (Viking Press, 2018).

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Look for other Literature courses under History, Culture and Writing/Literature at www.citylit.ac.uk.