FRS 002R — Sec. 001 — (2 unit) — CRN 55918 — R 12:10 – 2:00pm — 25 Wellman
Frankenstein’s Monster: A Model for Medical Research?

Instructor: Dale Flynn, University Writing Program, College of Letters and Science

Description: Focusing on our enduring interest in Dr. Frankenstein’s monster, this course will examine the interplay between society and science. We will start by reading Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and talking about the 18th Century scientific work that gave her the idea for her book. We will then trace the evolution of Frankenstein through film, looking especially at how prevailing medical research influences art. Grades will be based on class discussion and a short research project.

Format: Class will meet once a week for two hours. Sessions will consist of discussion about the reading and the Frankenstein films that we will watch. Students will be expected to watch at least one film outside of class. Grading: Grades will be based on class discussion (50%) and the research project (50%).

About the Instructor: Dale Flynn has been a Lecturer at UC Davis for twenty years in the interdisciplinary writing program and the English Department, where she teaches advanced composition courses in, among other things, scientific writing and writing in the health sciences. She has published interviews with physician/writers Richard Selzer, Perri Klass, John Stone, Lawrence Schneiderman, Jonathan Miller, and Oliver Sacks. She has taught a course for Humanities on Humanities and Medicine, and she has previously taught two Freshman Seminars, one with Daniel Benson, M.D. on Medicine, History, and Literature, and one on AIDS and Literature.