Week Four: Pulp Fiction

Pulp Art by H.J. Ward

This week we are considering the case of pulp fiction and the general sorting of stories into categories and cultural events into genre. There are a number of books available to read on the course resources page and another list of works on the course syllabus. We will discuss the idea of genre as defined by metadata. We will begin our discussion of the medium of radio and look at its history as a model against we can observe some of the patterns of media. Pick any book from the list you would like to read. 

The writing assignment for this week is to take any scene from the novel you have read for this week and turn it into a radio play using primarily dialogue and sound effects to represent the theme. Record the radio play and post it as an audio file. 

Instead of a required movie to watch this week I am asking you to listen to some Radio programs. They will be listed under the radio subhead on the course resource page. Try to listen to at least 3 hours of radio from the 1930s and 1940s.

Book cover expouses ostensibly anti-gay sentiment while attempting to appeal to gay market segment.

Cover art by Paul Rader