Vampire class studies night-dwellers from 'Twilight' to 'Interview'

CHICAGO — Students aiming for an easy A should not have signed up for Donovan Gwinner's latest course at Aurora University. It's a real pain in the neck.

The seminar "Got Blood? Vampires in Literature, Film, and Popular Culture" requires students to devour at least 200 pages a night — all night, if necessary.

But with the exception of Bram Stoker's "Dracula," most of the reading does not fit into the canon of classic literature. Instead, books include the popular "Twilight" series and Anne Rice's "Interview with the Vampire."

The Chronicle of Higher Education reported the "Twilight" titles were among the best-selling books on college campuses this year. That apparent bloodlust among students inspired Gwinner to create the course.

"In the pantheon of monsters and monstrosities, few figures have the hold on our imaginations that vampires do," Gwinner explains in his syllabus.

Unlike other villains, vampires do harm to their victims on every level, Gwinner said.

"Everything is at stake ... physically, mentally, spiritually," Gwinner said. "One's sanity is at stake. One's body is at stake. The soul is at stake. That's part of what vampires do very well."

But vampire narratives also probe themes with teeth. The fanged fiends offer an unusual perspective on cultural changes and taboos about gender and sexuality.

Emily Parris, 23, of Geneva, Ill., has sought escape in vampire novels since she was a teen. She likens them to romance.

"I tend to view them more as brain candy," she said.

It helps that vampires have gotten hunkier over the years.

"People who come under the sway of a vampire cannot resist," Gwinner said. "And I think that's what is largely at work ... By the time we get to 'Twilight,' there's this family in the neighborhood. They're very dreamy looking. They become less monstrous."

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.