This course is an invitation to explore the captivating genre of Gothic fiction. Together, we'll learn about the origins of the Gothic; the genre's shipshfiting into a variety of literary forms (from ghost stories to horror fiction to weird fiction) and the conventions and hallmarks of the genre. After studying the origins and evolution of the gothic, students will read modern gothic writing to learn how its contemporary interpretations frequently challenge power structures and the status quo. Readings and generative prompts will allow students to play with craft elements of the gothic and to explore how gothic themes might be woven into their writing.