The Monsters We Make Fall 2004

Mini-Project #1	Literary Analysis of the Frankenstein story/archetype	100 points
Mini-Project #2	Film Review Project	100 points
Mini-project #3	Propaganda assignment	100 points
Mini-project #4	Conference presentation	200 points
Mini-project #5	Electronic Portfolio	100 points
Conference prep.	Various assignments (due date critical)	100 points
Attendance and Participation:		100 points
Class work		50-100 points
Quizzes		50-100 points
	Total	900-1000 points

Mini-Project # 1	Frankenstein Literary Analysis Essay
	Literary Analysis Essay. Analyze and evaluate the argument concerning monstrosity, its definition, nature and root-causes, as developed in Shelley's Frankenstein. According to the author, what is a "monster" and what is it like to be one? In what ways, according to Shelley, do creatures become monsters due to social forces beyond their own control, and in what ways is their monstrosity their own responsibility and the result of their own choices? Accordingly, which characters seem more or less guilty of his own monstrosity? Finally, evaluate how well Shelley has created a valid conception or characterization of monstrosity; in other words, explain how Shelley succeeds and fails to create a valid argument or representation of the nature of monstrosity. (4 pages min.) Frankenstein Literary Analysis Essay
Mini-Project #2	Film Review Mini Project
	Reviewing Film is an art within itself, and some people devote their professional lives to it. Our primary film review concerns in this class are three-fold: thinking critically about how and why monsters are represented in certain ways, understanding and applying the basic principles of representation as they relate to literature, film and other graphic media, such as comics, comparing a single monster and a single story as they are told in different media and how these media effect theme. Film Review Mini Project
Mini-Project #3	Creative Application of Theories: Monstrous Media Propaganda Mini Project
	Imagine yourself as working for a PR firm contracted to develop a media campaign related to a current social issue, a historical issue or topic covered in this class, a myth or story covered in this class…. Your job is to turn the complex social issue into a clear-cut case of good vs. evil, heroes vs. monsters: obfuscate, distort, create fear where once stood rationality, etc., through the use of monstrosity. http://www.class.uidaho.edu/monsters/drake/Assignments/monstrous%20media%20propaganda.htm
Mini-Project #4	The Monsters Conference
	The Monsters Conference will be the culmination of the Monsters class for the year. This conference will be modeled on a professional academic conference, where papers are read and posters (or PowerPoint, websites etc.) are presented. The point of such a conference is to increase our knowledge about the theme on which the conference focuses, and this one is no different. Thus, it is your opportunity to demonstrate what you have learned and add to what we know about monsters and the monstrous. You will be expected to present a paper and set up a poster that supplements your paper, presenting its main ideas in a more succinct and visually enhanced form. http://www.class.uidaho.edu/monsters/drake/Conference%20Paper/conference_and_conference_paper_.htm
Mini-Project #5	Final version of your 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, theory, Arts* and *Links. You are not limited to these areas, however. General guidlings are available here.* Two Examples ONE and TWO

Attendence 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. The Attendence rules are available here.

Class Work	Most weeks, something that you will need to answer, or do, concerning the readings assigned for that week. Unless otherwise specified, these are due at the beginning of class; no exceptions. Guidelines are available here.

Quizes	25-50 point quizes will ensure the review of basic factual material. The will be announced one to two class periods in advance.


	Graded Assignments for Spring 2007