Core 155-02 2:30 - 3:20

Office Hours: T/Th 2:00-3:00 And By Appt.

Office: Brink Hall 117,                                                                                                            Telephone Messages:  885-6156
Web page: www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~tdrake/                                                                      Email: tdrake@uidaho.edu

Course Description: This class is a year-long exploration of both monsters and the themes surrounding the concept of monstrosity.  We will look at the creation, development, and multiple reiterations of the monstrous, through both classic and contemporary works in literature, film, and art. Application of this information will help the student identify the societal, political, and cultural mechanisms used to influence and shape contemporary conceptions of the monster in the real world.

Course Goals:

• To discover the methods and explore the creation of the “monster myth.”  This exploration will examine the monstrous from a multitude of literary and visual sources—most important, the interrelationship of the monster to both culture and society. 
• To transfer an understanding of the monster in fiction to the monster  in real life, creating an awareness of  the process of monster making both from the perspective of the monster and the perspective of the monster maker.
• To examine and discuss the theories of literary, visual, and theatrical analysis that will help unlock both the hidden symbolism of the monstrous and sublime cultural intellect found in the creation of the monster. 
• To understand and apply critical thinking and problem solving techniques to resolve abstract concepts, social organization, and mental perception as they relate to the human need for the monster. 
• To learn research skills. 
• To demonstrate achievement of course goals through seminar discussions of cultural issues, film viewing critiques, and course projects combining the thought of the class surrounding these wide-ranging discussions and discoveries. 

Common Core Discovery Course Objectives:

GENERAL COURSE OBJECTIVES – SKILLS

·         Develop academic skills necessary for success in this and other college courses

·         enhance note-taking abilities

·         practice active reading

·         develop a working knowledge of university library computer databases

·         develop successful time management skills

·         enhance computer skills

·         Develop effective communication skills

·         practice conveying your ideas in written and oral form

·         develop interpersonal skills that include participating in class discussions, posing thoughtful questions, listening to others, and responding to others

·         accomplish tasks through group work

Common Core Discovery Course Objectives Continued:

·         Develop the ability to think critically

·         learn how to identify and evaluate arguments

·         learn how to identify and question assumptions

·         develop the ability to assess multiple perspectives on a  single issue/topic

·         Develop the ability to use effectively a variety of methods of inquiry 

·         develop an awareness of methods of inquiry used in a variety of academic disciplines

·         practice gathering data from a variety of sources, e.g., texts, public documents, interviews, panels, surveys, observation, internet sites develop the ability to synthesize insights and information from various disciplines.

GENERAL COURSE OBJECTIVES – CONTENT

·         Be introduced to a number of academic disciplines and their interdependence

·         Become aware of and sensitive to the diversity of humankind

·         develop an understanding of diverse values, attitudes, and interpretations

·         become aware of how values are shaped by culture

·         critically examine personal values and attitudes

·         Understand contemporary experience in light of past events that have shaped present circumstances

·         Experience the diversity of campus culture by attending lectures, concerts, theater productions, gallery exhibits, etc.

Attendance Policy: By taking this class you are agreeing to attend, on time.  Either attend class regularly, accept the consequences of not attending, or take another class instead of this one. 

All students are allowed one unexcused absence;  after that, 3% (4% T,Th and Summer courses) is deducted from your overall grade for each unexcused absence.  Absences are only excused for either medical reasons or official university activities;  you must provide appropriate, dated documentation upon returning to class. If you’re too sick to come to class, go to the doctor and bring me the receipt. If your grandmother dies, bring me the dated obituary.  If you miss a class, you are responsible for knowing before the next class what you missed and what work is due the day you return.  Please ask another student what you have missed, and not your instructor. I will help you where and when I can, but your absences are your responsibility.

I take roll at the beginning of each class.  If you are not present when I take roll, you are marked absent.  If you wish to have your absence changed to a “tardy”, it is your responsibility to ask me to do so after class.  Excessive tardies will lower your grade.

These policies will not change, so if you are not interested in agreeing to them, please do not remain in this class.    

Texts:  Frankenstein, Mary Shelley; Blade Runner, Philip K. Dick;  Batman: The Dark Knight, Frank Miller;; Man's Search For Meaning, Victor Frankl; Dawn, Elie Wiesel

Potential Films: Frankenstein; Bride of Frankenstein; Young Frankenstein; Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; Blade Runner; Batman Begins, Crash...?

Plagiarism and Cheating

Laptop Policy

Drake's Assignment Guidelines

Activity Requirements That Are Graded:                                                              

●   Attitude and Participation: You are expected to attend class and participate while there and to contribute to group discussions and projects.  This does not mean piping up in class every day, but it does require attention and engagement. This is a graded element of the course. Half of this portion of the grade will be determined by the instructor and half by group members, who will describe and grade your group contributions at the end of the semester.

●  Study Questions Responses, Quizzes and Tests: Most weeks, there will be five study questions that you will need to answer concerning the readings assigned for that week. Unless otherwise specified, these are due at the beginning of class; no exceptions. Guidelines are available here. Occasional, simple reading quizzes may also be given throughout the semester. Depending the course content, tests may be substituted for Study Questions.

• Electronic Portfolio: An electronic portfolio is a collection of the work that you have completed for this course.  It is not all that you have done: it has required elements and others that you choose.  The point of the portfolio is to display what you consider to be the best of your work.  You can use the template for this course (we will provide you with it), or you can develop your own design.  However, you must include the following sections in your portfolio in the form of buttons that will link to the appropriately named pages: Introduction, Mini-projects, Expo Entry and Links.  You are not limited to these areas, however.
• Mini-Projects: Mini-projects are designed to utilize your critical thinking skills and to combine skills you are learning from the disciplines of philosophy, art, film, and literature.  Projects will be based on material (art, readings, films) from the course.  General guidelines are available here and more specific instructions will be given throughout the semester.
• Final Project and Presentation: Working in groups of four or five, each student will present to the class a brief, 15 minute presentation concerning the definition of monstrosity. The presentation combines the Definition of a Monster Mini-Project with course content, additional original work, a Power Point presentation and group collaboration. This is an opportunity to both reflect on what learned in the class and to bring in new and additional information, materials and perspectives. The presentation should, therefore, apply the course content in new and interesting ways.

●   Extra Credit: Extra Credit events if they become available will be posted, or in some limited cases students may substitute a minor activity in exchange for other work. Students will not able to make up missing work with extra credit at the end of the semester.

Assignment Grading Summary:

Mini-Projects                                                 500pts

Final Project and Presentation                        200pts

Tests and Quizzes                                        200pts

Attitude and Participation                               100pts

TOTAL                                                          1000pts