English R1A

Other Readings and Media

"Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson

Dracula, Bram Stoker

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Alan Moore

Geek Love, Katherine Dunn

A Writer?s Reference, Diana Hacker

Course reader"

Description

"Who are our monsters, and why? This course will examine the idea of the monstrous in literature and culture, from the Romantic era to the present day. Through a variety of texts and other media, we will explore a wide range of issues: how the monstrous has been defined as both completely other and completely human (sometimes at the same time); what happens when a monstrous figure takes control of the narrative as a speaking subject; how different versions of monstrosity intersect with race, class, and gender; how, and why, portrayals of particular monstrous figures have shifted over time; and what makes these monstrous figures the objects of both fascination and repulsion. Taking the complex relationships between the ?freakish? and the ?normal,? the ?grotesque? and the ?beautiful,? the ?monstrous? and the ?good? as our basis, we will examine how monstrous bodies and minds disrupt attempts to read them and complicate the act of interpretation.



This course is aimed at developing reading and writing skills in a variety of genres. Students will learn and practice strategies for all stages of the writing process, from prewriting to revision, and also work on grammar, syntax, and style. Course assignments will include a minimum of 32 pages of writing divided among a number of short essays, at least three of which will be revised. This course fulfills the first half of the university?s R&C requirement. "