Monsters lurk in every corner of human culture from the earliest myths to big budget blockbusters. This course will examine what they are, how they are used in stories, and most importantly, what they are meant to signify. To do this, we will be employing a variety of approaches including historical, psychological, and cultural critiques of race, class, and gender. Our materials will range from the ancient to the contemporary, and we will examine a variety of monsters as they have appeared in books and on film. This course satisfies both Inquiry and Writing Intensive requirements. Readings include Beowulf, Frankenstein, Interview with a Vampire, and others.

ENGL 444 classes may not be taken by English Department majors for Major requirement credit. ENGL 444 classes may be used by ENGL Department majors to satisfy Discovery requirements.