Comparative Studies
Stephanie Flint is a Ph.D. candidate in
Florida Atlantic University’s Comparative
Studies program, where she also works as an
instructor for courses in English, Literature
and Interdisciplinary Studies. Her research
and publications focus on representations of
monstrosity in literature, film and popular culture.
Classic Monsters and the Supernatural in Popular Media and Culture
Histories and Interpretations of Monsters from Antiquity to Today
Monsters have been around as long as there have been
stories and heroes to fight them. In this course, we will trace
the representations of popular monsters in today’s film and
media to their literary, and sometimes ancient, roots.
Although there is usually not one simple origin of a given
monster, we will explore various theories of their origins and
manifestations. This course will follow the trends of
representations of monsters in popular culture today.
Lectures will trace histories of vampires, werewolves,
Frankensteins, cannibals, zombies, the human-animal
hybrid, and more. We will discuss the literary backgrounds
of these monsters, as well as their historical and theoretical
implications, while investigating their representation in
popular culture today.
Four Lectures
- Introduction and Vampires - In this class, we will cover popular representations of
monsters of all forms and we will discuss the changing
interpretations of monstrosity over time. We will then focus
on vampires, by tracing modern popular interpretations of
vampires to their roots in antiquity. A variety of theories of
vampires’ origins will be discussed, and we will take a closer
look at their Western literary origins (including John
Polidori’s “The Vampyre” and Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”).
- Frankenstein(s) - We will view and discuss popular interpretations of
Frankenstein (and/or Frankenstein’s Monster) today, while
tracing the monster’s roots back to Mary Shelley’s original
publication and influences. A variety of interpretations and
adaptations of “Frankenstein” will be discussed, and we will
trace the evolution of the monster and his story over time
and mediums.
- Zombies - We will look at the popular trend of zombies in modern film
and media, while considering the transformation the zombie
has made over time. A variety of theories of zombies and
their meanings will be discussed, and we will take a closer
look at representations including “The Walking Dead” (both
comic series and television series), as well as their earlier
filmic and literary interpretations.
- Hybrids and Werewolves - We will begin by considering the roles that werewolves play
in popular culture today, in comparison to their portrayal in
earlier films and texts. Additionally, in our conclusion to the
course, we will discuss hybrid creatures/monsters (on a
larger scale), while taking a closer look at their role in the
category of monstrosity. We will also question what defines a
hybrid “monster” versus a hybrid non-monster, returning to
the questions about the human/monster divide that we
began at the start of the course.
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| Course # S4R4 — First 4 Weeks
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Thursdays, March 22, 29; April 5, 12 2018 |
| Time: | 2:15 - 3:45 PM |
| Fee: | $40 / member; $60 / non-member |
| Class Cancelled |
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