Popular Narrative: Masterminds

Calendar

SES #	TOPICS
1	Introduction - Welcome Aboard
2	Film Wiene, Robert. The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari. 1920.
3	Marlowe, Christopher. Dr. Faustus.
4	First journal due
5	Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein.
6	Hawthorne, Nathaniel. “The Birthmark,” and “Rappacini’s Daughter.”
7	Journal due
8	Video Christie, Agatha. “The Mirror Cracked From Side to Side.” Miss Marple. Vol. 2. A&E Home Video, 1992.
9	Doyle, Arthur Conan. A Study in Scarlet.
10	Journal due
11	An open discussion of modern “Sherlockery.” Take the time to watch an episode of any of the current “detective shows” - especially the “scientific” shows like the assorted versions of “CSI” or “Crossing Jordan.” More traditional “procedurals” like “NYPD Blue” or “Law and Order” will serve just fine, though. No matter which one.
12	Hillerman, Tony. Sacred Clowns.
13	Journal due
14	Film Young, Terence. Dr. No. 1962. (The first James Bond film.)
15	LeCarre, John. The Tailor of Panama.
16	Brecht, Bertolt. Galileo.
17	Journal due
18	Banville, John. Kepler.
19	Gleick, James. Isaac Newton. Film Else, John. The Day After Trinity. 1980.
20	Journal due
21	Frayn, Michael. Copenhagen.
22	Film Kubrick, Stanley. Dr. Strangelove. 1964.
23	Journal due
24	We’ll do some organizing - your task this week will be to seek out and interview an MIT grad student about the “pursuit of mastery.” If you’re desperate to have something to read, there is a good book about the Whitehead: Natalie Angier, Natural Obsessions, and a more recent autobiography, Pepper White’s The Idea Factory.
25	Journal Assignment: Summarize your findings about the life of MIT grad students.
26	Discussion of the results of your research on grad students.
27	Discussion of Teachers Optional Readings Kidder. Among School Children. Edmundson. Teacher. Come to class prepared to describe the best teacher you’ve ever encountered.
28	Optional Readings Rich, Adrienne. “Planetarium.” Bloom, Harold. Genius.
29	We’ll view the pilot episode of “House.” Optional Readings Williams, William Carlos. “The Use of Force,” “Old Doc Rivers,” “Medicine,” “Hell’s Kitchen,” and “First Years of Practice.” Thomas, Lewis. “Becoming a Doctor.”
30	Final presentations due