Missouri Western State College

Department of English, Foreign Languages, Journalism

Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences

English 210 -- Approaches to Literature: Monsters in Literature

Instructor: Dawn Terrick

Spring 2001

TTH 11:00-12:20 in JGM 220

Office: JGM 309L

Office Phone: 816-271-4313

Office Hours: MWF: 12:00-1:00, TTH 10:00-11:00 and by appointment

Email: terrick@griffon.mwsc.edu

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Victor Hugo

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson

The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde

The Crucible, Arthur Miller

Interview With the Vampire, Anne Rice

* We will also be viewing films. I may also supplement these texts and films with poems that will be available on reserve in the library or through handouts in class.

*This class consists of extensive reading. In order to succeed in this course, you must keep up with the reading.

· A writing handbook or style guide of your choice*

· Computer disks for revising and saving work

· Notebook for journal entries only

· Folder to keep all work

In this course we will read a variety of texts, from classical literature to contemporary popular literature, and examine the role of the monster in these works. We will discover how the figure of the monster, the evil, strange or grotesque figure, both reflects and affects the culture in which it was written. What can we learn about ourselves and our culture by analyzing this fiction? What does the monster represent or symbolize to its author and to its readers? We will read and discuss works ranging from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to Anne Rice’s Interview With the Vampire. Assignments will involve extensive reading, research, oral presentations and papers that explore and analyze literature. English 210 fulfills Category IV General Studies requirement.

• "It is becoming increasingly clear that the concept of evil is at one with the category of Otherness itself: evil characterizes whatever is radically different from me. So from earliest times, the stranger from another time, the barbarian . . . or in our own day, the avenger of cumulated resentments from some oppressed class, or else that alien being – these are some of the figures in which the fundamental identity of the representative of Evil and the Other are visible. The point, however, is not that in such figures the Other is feared because he is evil; rather he is evil because he is Other, alien, different,

strange . . ." -Frederic Jameson

• "The popular imagination is far more likely to give birth to flamboyantly unrealistic characters . . . than to ‘typical’ human beings." -Burton Hatlen

Upon completion of English 210, you will have demonstrated the ability to:

1. Recognize the major characteristics of literary genres
2. Discuss literature, orally and in writing, with assurance
3. Understand the different ways in which literary theme may be treated in literature

In order to reach these goals you will:

1. Read poetry, fiction, and drama
2. Investigate various methods of approaching and understanding literature
3. Write papers on literature
4. Read a variety of literary works in which a chosen theme is dominant

For common objectives for English 210, also refer to the English department website at

http://www.missouriwestern.edu/EFLJ/eng210.asp

Methods of Instruction:

Methods of instruction include texts, lectures, class discussions, group work, oral presentations by students, quizzes, examinations, and informal (journal entries) and formal writing assignments.

Journal Entries: The writing you do in your journal is very important because it will prepare you for your class discussions, literary analysis papers and exams. For each entry, you will respond to, analyze and discuss questions or problems regarding the text. In most cases, one full page is the average length of one journal entry. I will collect and grade your journals (see assignment schedule for due dates).

Attendance and Class Preparation/Participation: Students are expected to attend every scheduled class meeting. Each student will be allowed four absences. More than four absences will likely effect your final grade. However, please feel free to speak to me about any extenuating circumstances for I reserve the right to excuse some absences. If you are going to miss class due to a school-sponsored event you must notify me in advance. Also, arriving to class late is disruptive. As a result, chronic lateness will likely affect your final grade. Students are also expected to come prepared to every class meeting and participate in class discussion for this is the only way we can all share ideas, ask questions and learn.

Late Work: All assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the due date. If you are not in class on the due date you are still responsible for submitting your assignment on time. Oral presentations must be presented on the due date – no exceptions. Late journals, quizzes and in-class writing assignments will not be accepted.

In regard to your writing assignments, each student is allowed one late writing assignment (and only one late writing assignment) and this must be discussed with the instructor. I will not accept/grade any other late assignments. This is important because you must complete, turn in and receive a grade for all assignments in order to pass this class.

Students with Disabilities: Anyone who has a disability that prevents the fullest expression of his or her potential to succeed in this course must notify me as soon as possible so that we can discuss class requirements and accommodations.

Grading: Your final grade will be based upon three formal writing assignments, an oral presentation, midterm and final examinations, journal entries, various in-class writing exercises and quizzes, class preparation and participation. Please remember that smaller assignments and class participation are very important and do affect your grade.

Academic Honesty Policy: Cheating and plagiarism are not acceptable. You will receive a grade of F for the exam that shows evidence of cheating. You will receive a grade of F for any paper that shows evidence of cheating and/or plagiarism. You have the burden of proving that a paper showing evidence of cheating and/or p[plagiarism has in fact been written by you. You should keep thorough evidence of your writing processes for all papers so that you can meet this burden of proof. Stronger evidence of plagiarism may lead to further penalties. Please note carefully the statement on plagiarism on the departmental website, found at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/EFLJ/plagiarism.asp.

Miscellaneous: Please note that you must complete all major assignments in order to pass this course. In addition, it is vital that you keep up with all reading assignments. All drafts and final papers for this course must be word-processed. It is also important to save all work on disks, keeping back-ups if necessary.

Please feel free to come see me if you have any problems or questions. I believe communication is very important between an instructor and her students and, as a result, I will make myself available to you for any reason.

Please note that this is a tentative schedule and changes can be made.

Please note that this is a tentative schedule and changes can be made.