Why can’t the books for summer school be as interesting as a Stephen King classic? If you ask Michael Briggs of the English department they sure can.

Briggs is teaching a course called “Nightmares and Carnivals: Stephen King’s Early Literature” in Session I, running from June 3 through July 8. It will be held Monday through Friday from 9:40-11 a.m.

This course will involve reading and analyzing some of King’s literature and relating it to post-modern society. The main topic to be discussed is the idea of fear through the eyes of children; why are things that happen to us as children still scary to us as adults?

Students will also study how our society defines fear and thus causes us to fear. The course will also include discussion and critique of film versions.

“I would like for the class to visit some local ‘haunted’ houses as a field trip if the students are interested,” Briggs said.

Students will be given the option of doing some creative writing as a project.

Briggs began reading Stephen King’s literature in the 1970s and adopted a fascination for his work that has lasted for many years. He would like anyone interested in taking the course to contact him prior to the beginning date to affirm the reading assignments for better convenience. For more information about the course, call the English department at 439-4314 or Briggs at 341-1555 or email him at mikeatle@hotmail.com.

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