Syllabus for ISem 101 The Monsters We Make

1. ISem 101: The Monsters We Make
Syllabus
Instructor: Victoria M. Arthur, PhD Phone: 885-6156 (voice mess. only)
Email: varthur@uidaho.edu Office Hrs: MW 2:30 – 3:20;
Office: Brink 229 and by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This class is a semester-long exploration of both monsters and the themes surrounding the
concept of monstrosity. We will look at the creation, development, and multiple iterations of
the monstrous, through both classic and contemporary works in literature, film, and art.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Integrated Seminar 101:
• To familiarize incoming students with academic expectations and foster their
commitment to their own education through encouraging their engagement with
faculty and the university and with the library.
• To foster the ability to gather, interpret and use diverse sources of information, and to
examine enduring topics of inquiry through the use of multiple disciplines,
methodologies and perspectives. Specifically, apply social sciences and humanities
disciplinary methodologies to an integrative interpretation of the diverse seminar
content.
• To give students the tools for thinking critically, reflexively and/or creatively about a
topic.
• To help students learn to ask many different kinds of questions about a topic rather
than to simply seek answers.
• To foster the spirit of seminar engagement and encourage students to work
independently and collaboratively.
• Effectively use oral and written forms of communication and conduct library research.
• To foster the study, improvement and celebration of human communities in their
widest possible expressions.
• To clarify the meaning, place and relationship of each student, himself or herself within
his or her local, regional and global communities.
• To foster an understanding of the rich aesthetic, cultural, historical and social diversity,
as well as the shared humanity of human communities. To introduce the student to
some expression of human communities.
• To introduce students to the University General Education Learning Outcomes:

2. o Learn and Integrate – Students will attain, use, and develop knowledge about
the concept of the monstrous, taking into account the cultural and historical
contexts within which they were produced.
o Think and Create – Students will learn and practice the skills of close reading and
literary interpretation and apply them to analyzing literary texts. They will
practice communicating visually through artistic expression.
o Communicate – Students will learn how to participate in scholarly conversations.
o Clarify Purpose and Perspective – Students will explore a variety of perspectives
on monstrosity to foster an understanding of self, relationships, and the other.
COURSE TEXTS (available at the UI Bookstore)
• Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney. ISBN 978-0-393-97580-2.
• Grendel, John Gardner. ISBN 978-0-679-72311-0.
• I Am Legend, Richard Matheson. ISBN 978-0-765-35715-1.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
Class Preparation and Active Participation
My philosophy of teaching is that students are active agents of their own learning rather
than passive vessels to be filled by listening to me lecture. You cannot learn to learn by
listening to me talking about it; you must hone your skills through practice. Therefore a
significant amount of class time will be spent discussing the course materials.
The minimum expectations for participation are that you
• complete any reading and writing assigned before the class,
• arrive on time with your book and laptop, and
• enthusiastically engage in class activities and discussions.
I don’t grade attendance. The mini-lectures, discussions and activities we do in class are
designed to help you complete the major projects. Therefore, attendance is rewarded by
improved performance.
University of Idaho Classroom Learning Civility Clause
In any environment in which people gather to learn, it is essential that all members feel as
free and safe as possible in their participation, especially in regards to one’s writing. To this
end, it is expected that everyone in this course will be treated with mutual respect and
civility, with an understanding that all of us (students, instructors, professors, guests, and
teaching assistants) will be respectful and civil to one another in discussion, in action, in
teaching, and in learning.
Should you feel our classroom interactions do not reflect an environment of civility and
respect, please meet with me during office hours to discuss your concern. Additional
resources for expression of concern or requesting support include the Dean of Students

3. office and staff (5-6757), the UI Counseling & Testing Center’s confidential services (5-
6716), or the UI Office of Human Rights, Access, & Inclusion (5-4285).
Plagiarism
It is academically dishonest, and sometimes illegal, to present someone else’s ideas or
writing as your own. Ignorance is not a defense: it is your responsibility to make sure you
use proper citation, so get assistance (from me, for example) if you are unsure.
Sometimes students plagiarize because they do not feel they can complete the assignment.
If you have concerns about the quality of your work or your ability to meet deadlines,
please talk to me about it. There is always a better alternative than plagiarism, which may
cause you to fail the assignment or the course and will be reported to the Dean of Students.
For more information see the Plagiarism Policy on the English Department website:
http://www.class.uidaho.edu/english/comp/plagiarism.htm.
Disability Accommodation
Reasonable accommodations are available for students who have documented temporary
or permanent disabilities. All accommodations must be approved through the Center for
Disability Access and Resources located in the Bruce M. Pitman Center, Suite 127 in order to
notify your instructor(s) as soon as possible regarding accommodation(s) needed for the
course.
Phone: 208-885-6307
E-mail: cdar@uidaho.edu
Website: www.uidaho.edu/current-students/cdar
GRADING
Participation, Attendance & Attitude 100 points
Journal Assignments, Study Guides, etc. 100 points (approx.)
Major Assignments
Creative Representation Project 100 points
Analysis of a Monster Essay 100 points
Grendel Criminal Court Case 100 points
Monsterpedia Project 150 points
Total Points Possible 650 points
Grading criteria are provided for each major assignment.
Grade Breakdown
A = 90 – 100% (outstanding or superior achievement)
B = 80 – 89% (achievement significantly above basic requirements)
C = 70 – 79% (achievement that meets the basic requirements in every way)

4. D = 60 – 69% (achievement that does not meet one or more of the basic requirements)
F = 59% below (achievement that is significantly below most of the basic requirements)