USSY 285Z - The Ubiquitous Frankenstein

Institution:

Case Western Reserve University

Subject:

Description:

This seminar will explore the birth, evolution, devolution, and undead nature of the Frankenstein myth in popular culture. Using Mary Shelley's novel, her source texts, 19th- and 20th-century critical accounts, and 19th- and 20th-century popular cultural manifestations, the seminar participants will discover how "Frankenstein" found its way into the Western mind and continues to provoke responses both in those familiar and in those completely unfamiliar with the novel. The course will touch on issues of literary influence, science/technology, religion, ethics, education, literary merit, popular culture relevance, and adaptation as art form. Central questions for the seminar include: (1) Does the Frankenstein myth as we perceive it today have anything to do with Mary Shelley's original novel? (2) What were the moral and ethical implications of Shelley's novel for her time and for the generations afterward? (3) Is an "accurate" film adaptation of a literary work possible or needed? (4) Is being ubiquitous a blessing or a blight for a literary work? Prereq: Passing letter grade in a 100 level first year seminar in USFS, FSSY, FSCC, FSNA, FSSO or FSCS. Prereq or Coreq: FSTS 100

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.case.edu

Phone Number:

(216) 368-2000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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