Seriality and Multiversality

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This course will trace the evolution of "expanded textuality." We'll begin by investigating how serialized narrative emerged in the nineteenth century, focusing on how new delivery systems reached reading publics, and how new forms of story-telling emerged in the process. Once we've established that critical framework, we'll look closely at two interconnected phenomena -- quality television seriality and the conglomerate-driven multiversality which generates adaptations, re-boots, re-makes, sequels, prequels, fan fictions, adaptations, etc. Featured texts will likely include: Watchmen (both the graphic novel and the HBO series); The Many Saints of Newark and the ongoing Sopranos renaissance; No Time To Die and the history of Bond; Alcott, Armstrong, and Gerwig's Little Women; the Marvel Cinematic Universe (WandaVision, Black Widow, the new Hawkeye Disney + series, and maybe even Eternals), Jenkins' The Underground Railroad ... to be continued... Prerequisite: FTT 30455 or 30456