Required Materials

Computing Resources

To successfully complete this course, you will need access to a computer, an Internet connection, and the Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office software suites. Both software suites are freely available through Penn State.

Required Books and Films

We will read these books during the course, in this order. Using these exact editions (confirmable via ISBN number) will make referencing specific pages in class easier. Using other editions is fine, but you may need to do a little more legwork in class to find or guide your classmates to specific passages.

For films and television shows, links are included for those that can be viewed for free via PSU Libraries’ Swank streaming video service. The others you will need to purchase or rent online. If you are already using a subscription streaming video service, check there before purchasing or renting.

We will read/watch them in this order; refer to the schedule (forthcoming) for specific dates.

  • Duffy, Erin. Bond Girl. 1st ed, William Morrow, 2012. ISBN: 9780062065902

  • McKay, Adam. The Big Short. Paramount Pictures, 2015.

  • Ma, Ling. Severance. First Picador edition, Picador, 2019. ISBN: 9781250214997

  • Hamid, Mohsin. How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia. First Riverhead trade paperback edition, Riverhead Books, 2014. ISBN: 9781594632334

  • Askaripour, Mateo. Black Buck. Mariner Books, 2022. ISBN: 9780358627982

    • NOTE: This edition becomes available in mid-January, 2022. PSU’s bookstore will have it some time after January 18. To give ample time for us to obtain copies, the first reading from this book is due March 14.

  • Russell, David O. Joy. 20th Century Fox, 2015.

  • Shafrir, Doree. Startup. Back Bay Books, 2018.

Optional Films and Television Episodes

We will watch these or selections of them in class. You are not required to obtain these, but you may want to get them if you want to focus on one of them for a major assignment.

  • Stone, Oliver. Wall Street. 20th Century Fox, 1987.

  • Nelli, Victor, Jr. “Essential.” Superstore, Season 6, Episode 1, NBC, 29 Oct. 2020.

  • Foley, James. Glengarry Glen Ross. New Line Cinema, 1992.

  • Merchant, Stephen. “Customer Survey.” The Office, Season 5, Episode 7, NBC, 6 Nov. 2008.