1. ISem 101: The Monsters We Make
Syllabus
Instructor:
Victoria
M.
Arthur,
PhD
Email:
varthur@uidaho.edu
Office:
Brink
229
Phone:
885-‐6156
(messages
only)
Office
Hrs:
MW
1:30
–
2:20;
&
by
appt.
Course
Info:
Sect.
07
MWF
10:30-‐11:20
am,
TLC
146
Sect.
08
MWF
11:30-‐12:20
pm,
TLC
146
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
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Communicate
–
Students
will
learn
how
to
participate
in
scholarly
conversations.
4. 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)
• Mythology:
Timeless
Tales
of
Gods
&
Heroes,
Edith
Hamilton.
ISBN
978-‐0-‐446-‐57475-‐4
• 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
2.
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
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
The
University
of
Idaho
is
committed
to
providing
equal
and
integrated
access
for
individuals
with
disabilities.
This
commitment
is
consistent
with
legal
requirements,
including
Section
504
of
the
Rehabilitation
Act
of
1973
and
the
Americans
with
Disabilities
Act
(ADA)
of
1990,
and
embodies
the
university’s
historic
determination
to
ensure
the
inclusion
of
all
members
of
its
communities.
If
you
have
a
disability
that
you
feel
may
impair
your
ability
to
complete
the
work
in
this
course
as
it
is
designed,
please
let
me
know
as
soon
as
possible.
All
accommodations
must
3.
be
approved
through
Disability
Support
Services
located
in
the
Idaho
Commons,
Room
333,
885-‐6307.
GRADING
Participation,
Attendance
&
Attitude
150
points
Major
Assignments
2D
Art
Project
150
points
Definition
of
Monster
Essay
150
points
Argument
Analysis
Essay
150
points
Storyboard
of
Monster
Scene
150
points
Monster
Project
250
points
Total
Points
Possible
1000
points
Grading
criteria
are
provided
for
each
major
assignment.
A
=
90
–
100%
B
=
80
–
89%
C
=
70
–
79%
D
=
60
–
69%
F
=
59%
and
less
