HIST 4800A - Topic: Dark Tourism
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 43887,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Amy Laurel Fluker
Professional Qualifications:
PhD, US History, University of Mississippi (2015)
MA, US History, University of Mississippi (2010)
BA, History, Westminster College (Missouri) (2008)
Distinguished Associate Professor
Email: alfluker@ysu.edu
Office: DeBartolo 519
Office Phone: 330-941-1602
Preferred Contact Method: YSU email
Communication Expectations:
All communication should be via YSU email. Expect prompt responses during working hours; allow for delayed response times during evenings, weekends, and holidays. Assignments should be returned to students within two weeks of submission. NOTE: I have both a duty of care and a legal responsibility to share information critical to your health, safety, and support. Be aware that any communications indicating self-harm, intention to self-harm, sex or gender-based discrimination or abuse, etc. will be shared with the appropriate university personnel.
How to Refer to me:
Dr. Fluker; Dr. F
Laura Beadling
Professional Qualifications:
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and English
Bowling Green State University 1995
Master's of English
Purdue University 2002
Ph.D in American Studies
Purdue University 2007
Professor and Chair
Email: llbeadling@ysu.edu
Office: DeBartolo 206
Office Phone: 330 9413414
Preferred Contact Method: Email
Communication Expectations:
I generally respond to emails within 1-2 business days.
I generally return work within 10 days of submission. Submissions that are received by the deadline get substantial feedback. Late submissions receive minimal feedback, although I am happy to provide more during office hours.
How to Refer to me:
Dr. Beadling or Dr. B
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Course Description
ENGL 3770. American Literature in Historical Perspective. Poetry, prose, drama, and other forms of literary expression examined within the context of a specific aspect of American social, intellectual, and cultural history. May be repeated once with different topic.
NOTE: Course may be contracted for honors credit. See us to discuss options.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | More Weight | Ben Wickey | 9781603095600 |
| Required | Tales from the Haunted South | Tiya Miles | 9781469636146 |
| Required | In Cold Blood | Truman Capote | 9780141182575 |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Day | Date | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue | 8/25 | Introduction | ||
| Thu | 8/27 | What is Dark Tourism? | ||
| Tue | 9/1 | Wickey, Chp. 1-7 | Tragedy Tourism | |
| Thu | 9/3 | Wickey, Chp. 8-13 | How to read a graphic novel | QUIZ 1 |
| Tue | 9/8 | Wickey, Chp. 14-19 | Salem Witch Crisis | |
| Thu | 9/10 | Wickey, Chp. 20-22 | Salem in Memory | QUIZ 2 FRI 9/11: Mansfield Field Trip |
| Tue | 9/15 | Wickey, Chp. 23-24 | Salem Roundtable | TRIP NOTES 1 |
| Thu | 9/17 | Wickey, Outro | Tragedy Tourism Wrap-up | |
| Tue | 9/22 | EXAM 1 | ||
| Thu | 9/24 | Battlefield Tourism | ||
| Tue | 9/29 | Battlefield Preservation | ||
| Thu | 10/1 | Indigenous Perspectives | ||
| Tue | 10/6 | Disaster Tourism | ||
| Thu | 10/8 | Willey House | SUN 10/11: USHMM Trip (optional) | |
| Tue | 10/13 | 9/11 | ||
| Thu | 10/15 | Oceangate | FRI 10/16: Warren Ghost Walk | |
| Tue | 10/20 | EXAM 2 | ||
| Thu | 10/22 | Miles, p. 1-47 | Thanatourism | FRI 10/23: Warren Ghost Walk |
| Tue | 10/27 | Miles, p. 48-79 | Plantation Tourism | QUIZ 3 |
| Thu | 10/29 | Miles, p. 80-114 | Ghost Tourism - Trum Co | DARK TOURISM BROCHURE |
| Tue | 11/3 | Miles, p. 115-132 | Ghost Tourism, con't | QUIZ 4 |
| Thu | 11/5 | EXAM 3 | ||
| Tue | 11/10 | Capote, Book 1 | Macabre Tourism | |
| Thu | 11/12 | Capote, Book 2 | Emergence of True Crime as a genre | SAT 11/14: Titanic Exhibit Trip |
| Tue | 11/17 | Capote, Book 3 | New Journalism | TRIP NOTES 3 |
| Thu | 11/19 | Capote, Book 3 con't | Capote (1967) | QUIZ 5 |
| Tue | 11/24 | Capote, Book 4 | Capote (1967) | |
| Thu | 11/26 | No Class | ||
| Tue | 12/1 | Capote, Book 4 con't | Dahmer Tourism | QUIZ 6 |
| Thu | 12/3 | EXAM 4 | ||
| Tue | 12/8 | No Class | ||
| Thu | 12/10 | Fri 12/11 15:15-17:15 | MULTIMEDIA PROJECT & PRESENTATION |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.