ENG 184 Section 701 Winter Intersession 2005 January 3 – January 7 13:00 – 16:00

Frankenstein: Novel and Films Professor Mark Trevor Smith Office: Pummill 209E 836-4801; mts231f@smsu.edu

Policy Statement and Syllabus

ENG 184 in Winter 2005 Intersession will study Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel Frankenstein and several films based on the novel. Our four principal films will be the four best ones: Frankenstein (1931) starring Boris Karloff, directed by James Whale; Bride of Frankenstein (1935), starring Boris Karloff and Elsa Lanchester, directed by James Whale; Young Frankenstein (1974), written by and starring Gene Wilder, directed by Mel Brooks; Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994), starring and directed by Kenneth Branagh. Other films; including Son of Frankenstein, Frankenstein: The True Story, Frankenstein Unbound, Frankenstein 1970, Terror of Frankenstein, The Bride, Frankenstein Created Woman, Frankenstein (starring Randy Quaid, 1992); may be shown in smaller portions. The recent release on DVD of Thomas Edison’s 1910 silent version will provide us with a special 15-minute treat.

Students will be required to read excerpts from the novel (outside of class and in class) and to view excerpts from films (in class).

The class will focus on differences in the two media of print and film, but also on key themes including psychology, education, philosophy, theology, and other fields. Our questions will include (1) What is the responsibility of a creator to a creature? (2) How can someone learn without any help from others? (3) What kind of companionship does a human being need? (4) Why do people make such frightful mistakes? (5) What is the role of advanced technology in the twenty-first century? (6) How do each of us, whether we are creators, or victims, or merely spectators, fulfill our roles in society and make a contribution to public affairs?

Students will be expected to remember key ideas discussed in class and to think critically from their own perspectives. There is no textbook required (the entire text of Frankenstein is available on the Internet <http://courses.smsu.edu/mts231f/eng184spring2005/Frankenstein.html>), but students may wish to purchase a paper version of the novel. Some may wish to purchase or rent the films for home viewing.

Plagiarism will result in failure in the course. Please consult with the teacher if you harbor any doubts about the definition of plagiarism. There is no penalty for contemplating plagiarism, and there is no penalty for wanting to commit it.

Your grade for the course will be calculated according to the following percentages: final exam (or optional essay), 50%; four best quizzes, 10% each; attendance and class participation, 10%.

If they notify the teacher by Tuesday, students may choose to hand in an essay instead of taking the final exam. The essay must meet standards of competence expected in 100-level English courses. The essay option, much more difficult than the exam option, is allowed for exceptional students who might fall into categories like this: (1) they are already familiar with the novel or some of the films, (2) they are experienced English or film majors with strong essay-writing skills, (3) they have an unusual amount of time during the week to do research.

Only under the most extreme emergencies will make-up of missed requirements be allowed.

ENG 184 Section 701 Winter Intersession 2005 January 3 – January 7 13:00 – 16:00

Frankenstein: Novel and Films Professor Mark Trevor Smith Office: Pummill 209E 836-4801; mts231f@smsu.edu

The course will approximate the following outline, with quizzes at the beginning of days 2,3,4,5
and a final exam (or submission of an optional essay) during the last hour of class on day 5.

Monday, January 3	13:00 Introduction, backgrounds. 13:30 Read together selected scenes of 1818 novel Frankenstein. 14:00 View James Whale’s 1931 Frankenstein (70 minutes). 15:10 Intermission. 15:20 Discussion.
Tuesday, January 4	13:00 In-class quiz on first half of novel and anything covered in Monday’s class. 13:30 View Thomas Edison’s 1910 Frankenstein (13 minutes). 14:00 Read together selected scenes of novel. 14:30 Intermission. 14:40 View James Whale’s 1935 Bride of Frankenstein (75 minutes). 15:35 Discussion.
Wednesday, January 5	13:00 In-class quiz on second half of novel and anything covered in Tuesday’s class. 13:30 View Wilder and Brooks’s Young Frankenstein (106 minutes). 15:20 Intermission. 15:30 Discussion
Thursday, January 6	13:00 Take-home quiz due. 13:10 View Branagh’s Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (118 minutes) 15:10 Intermission. 15:20 Discussion
Friday, January 7	13:00 Take-home quiz due. 13:10 Continue discussion of Branagh version. 14:50 View excerpts from other Frankenstein films. 14:30 Review. 14:50 Intermission. 15:00 Final exam.

The SMSU statement of nondiscrimination can be found at http://www.smsu.edu/eoaa.htm.

Most of the faculty of the English Department, including me, add sexual orientation to the list of characteristics against which discrimination will not be tolerated.

To request accommodations for disability, students must contact Disability Services (http://www.smsu.edu/disability), Plaster Student Union Suite 405, (417) 836-4192; TTY (417)

836-6792. Students must provide documentation of disability to Disability Services prior to receiving accommodations.

If you stop attending this class but do not follow proper procedure for dropping the class, you will receive a failing grade and will also be financially obligated. To drop this intersession class, you must turn in a drop slip at an authorized registration center by the deadline (http://www.smsu.edu/recreg/chnsched.html).