“Make your statement, face your fear.”
(https://open.spotify.com/show/5pwBAjuJJAOt7cED5Lkjnk)

The Magnus Archives is an epistolary audio drama that follows the Archivist, Jonathan Sims, as he and his team research the paranormal encounters cataloged in the Magnus Institute, and the eldritch fears that lurk beneath the surface of the world that they know. The Magnus Archives is a wonderful example of storytelling, and touches on social issues through both the experiences of the characters and allegory, such as capitalism, the police, mental illness, and queer relationships. As we listen to the episodes, we are going to analyze these themes in the podcast, we will talk about the methods of storytelling that have been used to create a unique and powerful show, and we will utilize them to improve our own writing.

This course will not follow the episodes in order or in full. If you are not familiar with The Magnus Archives, I will provide a complete guide to understanding the series but be warned that there will be spoilers for the show. If you would like to listen to the entire series during the semester, you are more than welcome to. However, it is not required.

We are going to use this show as a framework by which we can create our own horror stories and branch out into other mediums of storytelling. We will experiment in creating unique characters and plots, both inspired by and separate from The Magnus Archives. Additionally, we will analyze horror stories to study theme, social commentary, and how unconventional and diverse writing is inherently supported by audio fiction formatting as opposed to film or literature.

Course Requirements and Grading:
Attendance and Participation: 20%
Writing Assignments: 30%
Quizzes: 20%
Final Statement: 30%

Please fill out this application form if you are interested in enrolling in this course: https://forms.gle/LD59RtQ4uy8fLpjp7