Individual+Unit+Plan+Rationale

__Individual Unit Plan Rationale__
__Exploring Gothic Literature of the Past and Present __ ==Gothic (or gothick), a term originally used to described the barbaric or crude has since taken on other meanings including comparisons to the medieval times era and more recently an appreciation for the imagination and the magnificent. But what is Gothic literature? Which historical, as well as current authors can we credit the building of this mystifying genus to? What makes this literary genre so mysterious and appealing that it has been a success for well over a century? How has it evolved over the years and what has stayed consistent within the themes of gothic literature and what has changed? Students will be expected to gain a firm understanding of what the term Gothic means, its origin, the vocabulary necessary to understand it, and all other elements that define typical Gothic literature. Once the ground work has been established and a basis has been constructed, we will start our journey into the literary world of “Goth” by exploring the dark and spooky works of the one and only, Edgar Allan Poe. Including some of his most famous and well recognized works such as, “The Fall of the House of Usher” and “The Tell-tale Heart.” From there, students will analyze how the Gothic genre has changed from Poe’s time until now, making sure to note consistencies and differences along the way. We will then progress toward the Gothic novels “Dracula,” written by Bram Stoker and “Frankenstein,” written by Mary Shelly. Our timeline of Gothic literature will conclude with a look into the currently popular “Twilight” series by Stephenie Meyer .All of these works create feelings of darkness, suspense, terror, mystery and fear. They search to reveal humanity’s gloomy side and provoke questions about the supernatural, good vs. evil, and the understanding of fear and horror. Students will respond in a variety of ways throughout the unit including small group discussions, presentations, projects, journal entries, and a final paper.== Back to Gina's Personal Page