ENGL1777 — Crime and Detective Fiction
Stories about crimes, criminals, and detectives have captivated, entertained, and challenged readers for centuries. What might we learn from these fictional accounts about crime and justice? What might we learn from them about storytelling, the literary imagination, and the tastes of readers? To address these questions, this course surveys a range of stories about detectives, crime, and the criminal mind. Authors might include Arthur Conan Doyle, Dashiell Hammett, Chester Himes, Patricia Highsmith, Sue Grafton, and Walter Mosley. Relevant movies, television shows, and true-crime writing might also be included.