Syllabus: Core 155

Section 5
Michael O’Rourke
2:00 – 3:15 TR
ALB 101

Office Hours:

12:30 - 1:20 Wed. and Thurs., or by appointment

Office Location:

Morrill Hall 411

E-mail Address:

morourke@uidaho.edu

Telephone:

885-5997 or 885-7107

Mentor:

Stacey Barron

Office Location:

Morrill Hall 401

E-mail Address:

isisjean@aol.com

Telephone:

885-2625

 

 

 

 

 

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, with an emphasis on 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 the cultural intellect found in the creation of the monster. 
  • To understand and apply critical thinking and problem solving techniques to 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

·         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:  From the UI Catalog

By taking this class you are agreeing to attend, on time. All students are allowed three unexcused absences; after that, 4% is deducted from your overall grade for each unexcused absence.  Absences are only excused for either medical reasons or official university activities (for the official university policy, see http://www.students.uidaho.edu/documents/Part3-K-M.pdf&pid=18550&doc=1); you must provide appropriate, dated documentation upon returning to class (e.g., doctor’s excuse, etc.).  If you miss a class, you are responsible for knowing before the next class what you missed and what work is due the when 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. Roll is taken 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.

 

Academic Honesty: 


See Article II of the UI Student Code of Conduct, http://www.webs.uidaho.edu/fsh/2300.html  


Assessment:
 

Core discovery courses like this one are part of the new model for general education at the University of Idaho.  The goal is to introduce students to an interdisciplinary topic and demonstrate how knowledge from different sources is put together into a coherent story.  Along the way, students will be asked to exercise writing, speaking, and thinking skills.  An important part of this model is assessment, which is how the University verifies that students are getting what they are supposed to get from the course.  Several class periods will be set aside each semester for assessment exercises, such as focus-group discussions and in-class essay exercises.

Activity Requirements That Are Graded:

  • Attitude, Attendance, and Participation

    You are expected to attend class and participate while there.  You are also expected to contribute to group discussions and projects.  This does not mean piping up in class every day, but it does require attention, engagement, and preparation.  This is a graded part of the course, with half the grade determined by your instructor and half determined by the other members of your group.
              
  • Study Questions Responses

    Most weeks, there will be five study questions that you will need to download from the course homepage and submit as hard copies at the beginning of the Tuesday class for that week.  They will be posted on the preceding Thursday.  These questions will concern the readings assigned for that week. For guidelines, please visit the “Study Questions” page of the course website.  If these are not turned in by most of the class members, or if there is other evidence that you are not coming to class prepared, I may institute a quiz system.

  • 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, Sketchbook (comprised of drawings and journal entries), Mini-projects, Expo Entry, and Links.  You are not limited to these areas, however.


  • Sketchbook/Journal

 

Each student will be required to keep a sketchbook/journal.   It is to become your companion and confidant.  It will be used in assignments, both visual and written.  You will use it to sketch, experiment with visual processes, take notes, record observations, thoughts and ideas… it will be one of your most important tools.  Sketches are not meant to be finished drawings.  Sketchbooks for artists are like journals for writers.  They provide a continuous source of ideas for future compositions and processes.

    • Take verbal and visual notes in the class
    • Record the development of your ideas for the outside assignments, mini projects etc. 
    • Record visual impressions of things seen, felt, remembered or imagined.
    • Experiment with different techniques, tools and mediums.
    • Attach clippings of text or visual images and photos that interest you
    • Use your sketchbook/journal to critique assigned movies, notes from guest lecturers and associated activities.
       
  • Mini-projects

    There are three of these projects. They are designed to exercise your critical thinking skills and to combine skills you are learning from the disciplines of philosophy, art, film, and literature.  Guidelines for the mini-projects are found on the "Mini-Projects" page of the course web site.  Projects will be based on material (art, readings, films) from the course. 

  • Monsters Conference

 

At the end of the semester, we will have a conference in which individuals read essays based on aspects of a group theme.  Each presentation will be 10 to 15 minutes, a seven-page paper extracted from students' longer final project of ten pages.  Each group will develop a display about their project.  You will be given more details on this conference as the semester proceeds.

Grade Evaluation Summary

The mini-projects and final project will be assigned points.  The study question responses, electronic portfolio, and sketchbook/journal will be evaluated with a +/check/- scale, where "+" means good, "√" means passable, and "-" means no credit. 

Attitude, Attendance and Participation ............................…...….

10 %

100 pts

Study Questions ………………………………………..…………...

15 %

150 pts

Sketchbook/Journal & Portfolio...................................................

15 %

150 pts

Mini-projects -- 3 projects at 10% each ..............................…....

30 %

  300 pts

Monsters Conference …,,…......…...............…………................

30 %

300 pts

TOTAL

100 %

 1000 pts

 

Texts:  Frankenstein, Mary Shelley; Blade Runner, Philip K. Dick; Maus, Art Spiegelman; Batman: The Dark Knight, Frank Miller

Potential Films: Frankenstein; Bride of Frankenstein; Young Frankenstein; Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; Elephant Man; Blade Runner; Batman

Art Supplies: B2 pencil; Sketchbook/journal, especially ordered for this class.