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79362-01 - Proseminar: Framing Crime: Chandler, Himes, Du Maurier, Yokomizo (3 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Peter Burleigh (p.burleigh@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This Proseminar will address crime as a topic in literature, in part to understand the various representations of crime in fictional worlds, to reflect on our fascination with this genre and to explore the politics that are embedded at the core of crime fiction. We will consider 4 pieces of crime fiction: • "The Big Sleep and Other Novels" by Raymond Chandler Penguin edition ISBN13 9780141182612 • "A Rage in Harlem" by Chester Himes Penguin edition ISBN13 9780141196442 • 'Not After Midnight' by Daphne du Maurier (a short story which is always in an anthology, never alone) in "Don't Look Now And Other Stories" Virago Press / Little, Brown Book Group ISBN13 9780349006604 (or other if you find available) • "The Inugami Curse" by Seishi Yokomizo Pushkin Vertigo. ISBN 139781782275039 We will start with "The Big Sleep", and then turn to "A Rage in Harlem", but it would be best to read all the literature before the start of term. The course will first follow a number of theoretical readings to derive tools, for which small student task groups will be responsible under my supervision. The second phase will involve close and careful reading of the course literature; this, too, will be discussed and presented by small student task groups somewhat more independently. |
| Learning objectives | Students will become familiar with current descriptions and discussions of literature and its impact on culture. Students will further their critical approach to text and to authorship, including inter-relating various primary texts and secondary materials in meaningful ways. Students will learn to consider formats and genres as not only form but as content. Students will have the opportunity to write a proseminar paper attached to the course. |
| Bibliography | A course pack of readings will be provided at the beginning of semester. Students are required to have their own copies of and read the three novels and short story. Novels and the collection of short stories will be available from Labyrinth bookshop opposite the Seminar – you get a 10% discount and support a local independent bookshop. |
| Admission requirements | It is strongly recommended that this course is taken only after the successful completion of the "Introduction I: Literary Studies" and "Introduction II: Literary Theory" proseminars. |
| Course application | Please register on services.unibas.ch by 1st September. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Tuesday | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 15.09.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Tuesday 22.09.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Tuesday 29.09.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Tuesday 06.10.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Tuesday 13.10.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Tuesday 20.10.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Tuesday 27.10.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Tuesday 03.11.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Tuesday 10.11.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Tuesday 17.11.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Tuesday 24.11.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Tuesday 01.12.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Tuesday 08.12.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Tuesday 15.12.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Modules |
Module: Introduction to Anglophone Literary and Cultural Studies (Bachelor's degree subject: English) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Assessment will be conducted throughout the course and will involve being in a group and leading a meeting as well as keeping minutes of the meetings. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Englische Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft |