HONORS 324 - Monstropsy: Dissecting Monsters in media

“Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster... for when you gaze long into the abyss. The abyss gazes also into you.”
― Friedrich W. Nietzsch

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This 16-week literature and film course, suitable for advanced communicators (writers and readers) . This course emphasizes critical reading and writing skills. Many pieces of media, ranging from Norse epic poetry to modern videogames, are examined and explored to determine how the monsters of media are created and what they represent. New Historicism informs much of the course, and history is paired with literature and film studies to help students understand the specific time period and cultural perspective inherent in the monsters' creations. Students periodically write papers and give presentations (independently and in groups) exercising analytical and rhetorical skills. Students also employ reflection and revision skills throughout the semester.

The communication, collaboration, and analytical skills imparted by the course are vital to any student pursuing a field in which they must analyze and understand others perspectives. However, more uniquely and, I believe, more importantly, the course instills the skills to critical analyze the rhetoric of monstrosity,  rhetoric that is, unfortunately, becoming more common these days.

"Gaze into the abyss - monsters in media"