Searching for Dracula: Introductory Post

Vlad the Impaler, thinking about whom to impale next.

I'm extremely excited about this January trip, in which Dr. Bernhardt, my partner Clint, and 11 students will be traveling through Europe in search of vampires to stake, behead, burn, or whatever it takes to rid the world of the nosferatu scourge. Our trip includes four days in England and eight days in Romania (specifically in the central region of Romania, also known as Transylvania).

Our students have spent the Fall semester prepping, which included reading Bram Stoker's Dracula, as well as several scholarly articles. I have always found vampire stories fascinating, from a psychological perspective (I'm a psychology professor). The cultural, sexual, and political messages will always inform us about the people who created the version of the myth at that time.

Our trip also includes a few side excursions, including a day trip to Stonehenge and a walking tour of Jack the Ripper's murder sites. Although it will be cold outside, our trip will be full of heart-"warming" stories of bloody bodies across the continent. I can't wait to begin!