Gothic Literature

Course Description:

This one-semester course is intended to familiarize you with the different conventions, themes, and elements of Gothic literature through the analysis of representative literary works. The course discusses classics such as Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, Ann Radcliffe’s novel A Sicilian Romance, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter, Robert Louis Stevenson’s Gothic Novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. It also analyzes Edgar Allan Poe’s Gothic short stories, Robert Browning’s Gothic poems, and Emily Dickinson’s poems about death, mortality, and spirituality. Finally, you get a glimpse of Matthew Lewis and Percy Bysshe Shelley’s Gothic dramas, learn about Gothic parodies and Gothic subgenres, and discuss contemporary Gothic literature.  

Course Details:

Course Title (District): Gothic Literature
Course Title (NCES SCED) : Literature of a Genre
Course Provider : Mancelona Public Schools
Content Provided By : My Virtual Academy
Online Instructor Provided By : My Virtual Academy
Standards Addressed : Common Core State Standards
Academic Terms : Open Entry / Open Exit
NCES SCED Code : 01061
Subject Area : English Language and Literature
Course Identifier : Literature of a Genre
Course Level : High School (Secondary)
Available Credit : 0.5
Sequence : 1 of 1

How To Enroll:

Enrollment Website : https://www.myvirtualacademy.com/programs/specialized-programs/specialized-programs-application/
Email : [email protected]
Phone : 800-297-2119

Students and Parents: It is important to work closely with your local school counselor or registrar to follow the school's enrollment procedures. By clicking the "Start Registration Request" button below, you will be able to notify the school of your interest in registering for the online course. However, it is the responsibility of the district or school to review the registration request and approve or deny the request. Please make a note to follow up with your school after submitting a registration request.

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Additional Course Information:

By the end of this course, you will be able to do the following: ❖ Identify the elements of Gothic literature. ❖ Analyze the Gothic elements and themes in Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein. ❖ Identify the characteristic elements of Gothic romance and analyze the works of prominent writers in this genre. ❖ Analyze Gothic elements and themes in the works of Edgar Allan Poe. ❖ Analyze Gothic elements and themes in Robert Browning and Emily Dickinson’s poetry. ❖ Examine the Gothic elements and themes in Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. ❖ Describe the historical and cultural significance of Bram Stoker’s Dracula and examine the novel’s themes and literary elements. ❖ Trace the origins of Gothic theater and identify early works in this genre. ❖ Examine the emergence of Gothic parodies in response to the popularity of the Gothic genre. ❖ Examine prominent themes and elements in American Gothic literature. ❖ Identify prominent themes and writers of contemporary Gothic literature. 

NSQ National Standards for Quality Online Courses: Fourth Edition (2025)

Rating Comments
A1: A course overview and syllabus are included in the course. Fully Met Syllabus provided to students upon enrollment with standard alignment.
A2: Minimum computer skills and digital literacy skills expected of the learner are clearly stated. Fully Met
A3: The instructor’s biographical information and information on how to communicate with the instructor are provided. Fully Met Email is sent to students, parents, and mentor which includes email and a telephone number to reach the online instructor and course provider.
A4: Learner expectations and policies are clearly stated and readily accessible within the introductory material of the course. Fully Met Syllabus and course goals are provided to students upon enrollment in course
A5: Minimum technology requirements for the course are clearly stated, and information on how to obtain the technologies is provided. Fully Met
A6: Grading policies and practices are clearly defined in accordance with course content learning expectations. Fully Met Students are able to see a progress report in Edmentum 24/7.
A7: The course instructions articulate or link to a clear description of the technical support offered and how to obtain it. Fully Met
A8: Learners are offered an orientation prior to the start of the course. Fully Met Students are provided with an orientation for every course.
Rating Comments
B1: The course objectives or competencies are measurable and clearly state what the learner will be able to demonstrate as a result of successfully completing the course. Fully Met Syllabus and course goals are provided to students upon enrollment in course
B2: Where applicable, the course content is aligned with accepted state and/or other accepted content standards. Fully Met All courses are aligned to state standards.
B3: Digital literacy and communication skills are incorporated and taught as an integral part of the curriculum. Fully Met
B4: Supplemental learning resources and related instructional materials are available to support and enrich learning and are aligned with the content delivered. Fully Met Resources are available for students in the software program and teachers can upload notes in individual assignments.
B5: The course content and supporting materials reflect different perspectives and provide non-stereotypical forms of representation. Fully Met
B6: The course materials (e.g., textbooks, primary source documents, Open Education Resources “[OER])” that support course content standards are accurate and current. Fully Met Edmentum reviews and updates course curriculum annually to remain current and accurate to state standards.
B7: The course is free of adult content and avoids unnecessary advertisements. Fully Met
B8: Copyright and licensing status for any third-party content is appropriately cited and easily found. Fully Met
B9: Documentation and other support materials are available to support effective online course facilitation. Fully Met
Rating Comments
C1: The course design includes activities that guide learners toward promoting ownership of their learning and self-monitoring. Fully Met Courses are self-paced which allows students to spend more time on difficult material. This allows the student to take the lead in their education.
C2: The course’s content and learning activities promote the achievement of the stated learning objectives or competencies. Fully Met The course syllabus outlines the courses goals and stated learning objectives to ensure all state standards are being met.
C3: The course is organized by units and lessons arranged in a logical sequence. Fully Met
C4: The course content is appropriate to the reading level of the intended learners. Fully Met The course includes a translator, dictionary and read to me function to engage learners at their reading level.
C5: The course design includes introductory assignments or activities to engage learners within the first week of the course. Fully Met
C6: The course provides learners with multiple learning paths as appropriate, based on learner needs, that engage learners in a variety of ways. Fully Met Multiple learning resources and materials such as individual assignments, videos, quizzes and discussions are included to increase individual student success.
C7: The course provides regular opportunities for learner-learner interaction. Fully Met The course contains discussion posts where learners can read/comment on other learners' posts.
C8: The course design provides opportunities for learner-instructor interaction, including opportunities for regular feedback about learner progress. Fully Met
C9: Course instructional materials and resources present content in an effective, engaging, and appropriate manner. Fully Met
Rating Comments
D1: Learner assessments align with stated course, unit, or lesson-level objectives or competencies. Fully Met
D2: Valid course assessments measure learner progress toward understanding of content. Fully Met Short Mastery Tests are given after each Tutorial. Unit tests provide an assessment of the entire unit and there are discussions and check ins along the way prior to the final exam.
D3: Assessment practices provide frequent and varied opportunities for self-monitoring and reflection of learning. Fully Met
D4: Assessment materials provide the learner with the flexibility to demonstrate their understanding in a variety of ways. Fully Met
D5: Rubrics that clearly define expectations for varied levels of proficiency are created and shared with learners. Fully Met All course projects and discussions have a clearly stated rubric to allow students to understand expectations prior to completing the assignment.
Rating Comments
E1: Course navigation is logical, consistent, and efficient from the learner’s point of view. Fully Met
E2: The course design facilitates readability. Fully Met The course syllabus and course outline page provide the student an outline of the entire course at all times. This allows the student to track their individual progress 24/7.
E3: The course provides accessible course materials and activities to meet the variable needs of learners, following Universal Design for Learning principles. Fully Met
E4: Multimedia in the course is easy to use. Fully Met
E5: Vendor accessibility statements are provided for all technologies required in the course. Fully Met
Rating Comments
F1: All technologies and tools included for use as part of the course ensure that learner privacy is protected in accordance with the Acceptable Use Policy and applicable law. Fully Met
F2: The course tools further the learning objectives and course competencies. Fully Met
F3: The course technology allows for customization and personalization. Fully Met Teachers are able to add in projects, outside links, and alternate assignments to the course material to individualize the course.
F4: The course operates within a platform to score and record assessments and calculate earned course points or grades. Fully Met
F5: Courses utilize emerging technologies that can enhance the learning experience, prioritizing learners and outcomes. Fully Met
Rating Comments
G1: The course uses multiple methods and sources of input for assessing course effectiveness. Fully Met Edementum reviews and updates course curriculum annually to remain current and accurate to state standards.
G2: The course is regularly reviewed to ensure that the course is current and relevant. Fully Met MVA reviews all courses annually to ensure each is relevant and meets all state standards.
G3: The course is updated on a continuous improvement cycle for effectiveness based on the findings from ongoing reviews. Fully Met Edmentum reviews each course annually to ensure effectiveness based on their ongoing reviews.

Review Conducted By: My Virtual Academy
Date of Review: 08/25/2025

Elements of Gothic Literature 


Making a Monster 


Gothic Romance 


Madness and Mayhem 


Passion and Obsession 


Mortality and Spirituality 


Jekyll and Hyde: The Duality of Human Nature 


Vampire Tales 


Gothic Parodies 


American Gothic 


Contemporary Gothic Literature 

Term Type Enrollment Opens Enrollment Ends Random Draw Date Enrollment Drop Date Course Starts Course Ends # of Seats Course Fee Potential Additional Costs
Open Entry / Open Exit 12/02/2025 04/03/2026 500 $400
Drop Policy Completion Policy Term Type Enrollment Opens Enrollment Ends
Must pass course with D- (60%) or higher. Open Entry / Open Exit 12/02/2025 04/03/2026
To be successful in our program, it is important for the student to remain in constant communication with the online instructor. The online instructor will be communicating with the student 1-2 times per week. Communication between the student and online instructor will be phone, email, texting, Zoom Meeting and/or discussion boards. Online instructors provide families with their weekly office hours and My Virtual Academy is open Monday – Thursday from 8 AM – 8 PM, Friday from 8 AM – 4 PM and Saturday from 8 AM – 2 PM with staff available to answer questions/concerns. Messages received after hours will be returned the next school day. Parents/Guardians/Students will have access to the curriculum and grade book 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

My Virtual Academy Tech Support is available Monday - Thursday, 8 AM - 8 PM, Friday 8 AM - 4 PM, and Saturday 8 AM - 2PM. Browser: Edge (latest), Internet Explorer® 11, Chrome (latest), Firefox (latest), and Safari (latest). Plug-Ins: Java, Office compatible software. For a small percentage of our legacy content, you may need the following plug-ins: Shockwave® and/or Plato® Xtras. Pop-Up Blockers: How to turn off pop-up blockers Mobile Browser Support: We support the following tablet configurations: OS - Android; Browser- Chrome (Latest version) OS - iOS; Browser - Safari (Latest version)