Investigates geek literary culture with themes of escapism, social alienation, intellectual superiority, conspicuous consumption, and the effect of technology on human nature in a series of texts associated with the geek. Authors include: J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien, Neal Stephenson, Douglas Adams, Harlan Ellison, Neil Gaiman, and Allan Moore, among others. Students will study texts in non-print media, including digital and Internet phenomena. Prerequisite: Morrissy Scholar or instructor permission. Fulfills general education requirement in Literature. [ 3 credits ]