ENGL 1102: Apocalyptic Nightmares of the Living Dead—The Cultural Politics of Zombies in Popular Media Spring 2009 Instructor: Andrea Wood Office: 303 Skiles Office Hours: MWF 2:05-2:55 or by appointment Class Meeting Times/Locations: MWF (P3 1:05-1:55/E1 3:05-3:55/M 4:05-4:55)/All classes meet in 308 Skiles Email: andrea.wood@lcc.gatech.edu Course Overview Required Texts This section of 1102 will examine how apocalyptic themes in zombie films, popular fiction, and comics inform conceptualizations of futurity and survival in a terrifying time and place. In particular, we will consider the ways in which nightmarish visions of zombie apocalypse intersect with past and present cultural anxieties and fears about sexual and reproductive agency, racialized and gendered Others, and technological advancements against the backdrop of decomposing social, national, and global landscapes. While this course emphasizes important elements of historical context in each respective zombie narrative that we analyze, it aims to identify cultural connections across time periods that demonstrate how certain anxieties persist even if they manifest in different ways. Some tentative primary texts include George Romero’s Dead series, Paul W.S. Anderson’s Resident Evil, Peter Jackson’s Braindead (aka Dead Alive), Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later, Naoyuki Tomomatsu’s Stacy, Richard Matheson’s novella I am Legend, Max Brooks’s World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War, and the first volume of Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore’s comics series The Walking Dead. In addition to the zombie texts we will be analyzing, students will also have several scholarly readings dealing with the horror genre, zombies in cinema, and theoretical concepts pertinent to our discussions. Books (available at Engineer’s Bookstore-http://www.engrbookstore.com/): 1. Brooks, Max. World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War 2. Russell, Jamie. Book of the Dead: The Complete History ENGL 1102/Wood/Spring 2008 1 of Zombie Cinema 3. Matheson, Richard. I am Legend 4. Kirkman, Robert and Tony Moore. The Walking Dead (Vol. 1) Films: (There will be at least one copy of each film in the library on reserve; Students will be expected to watch the films on their own time by the required class date listed in the syllabus—thus, they will need to either buy/rent the film or view the library copy in advance.) 1. George Romero Night of the Living Dead 2. George Romero Dawn of the Dead 3. George Romero Day of the Dead 4. Peter Jackson Dead Alive 5. Paul W.S. Anderson Resident Evil 6. Danny Boyle 28 Days Later 7. Naoyuki Tomomatsu Stacy 8. George Romero Land of the Dead 9. George Romero Diary of the Dead Required Supplemental Texts There will be several required supplemental readings throughout the semester that will be made available on e-reserve in the library. Students will be responsible for printing out copies of these texts on their own and reading them for the dates assigned in the schedule. Some tentative readings include: Creed, Barbara. “Faces of the Monstrous-Feminine: Abjection and the Maternal.” [excerpt] The Monstrous Feminine: Film, Feminism, and Psychoanalysis. Freud, Sigmund. “The Uncanny.” Kristeva, Julia. “Approaching Abjection.” The Powers of Horror: An Essay on Abjection Modleski, Tania. “The Terror of Pleasure: The Contemporary Horror Film and Postmodern Theory” Williams, Linda. “Film Bodies: Gender, Genre, and Excess.” Wood, Robin. “Day of the Dead: The Woman’s Nightmare.” ENGL 1102/Wood/Spring 2008 2 Required Software Required Materials Students will be expected to use a word processing program (i.e. MS Word) for all papers. For web assignments, students will need to use an HTML editing program of their choice. For those who are unfamiliar with HTML editing, I recommend using Dreamweaver, which is a simple WYSIWYG editor that is readily available for students to use for free on many campus computers. Communication Objectives and Outcomes 1 pocket folder Loose leaf lined paper and pens for in-class writing assignments and notes 1 8 ½ x 11 spiral notebook for taking notes on films and readings (must bring to class each day!) Reliable form of backup for assignments (CD-ROM, flashstick drive, etc.) Name card (I will give details about this on the first day of class) Table 1. Objectives and Outcomes Specified by the Board of Regents and by Communication@Tech Rhetoric Rhetoric focuses on available means of persuasion, considering the synergy of factors such as context, audience, purpose, role, argument, organization, design, visuals, and conventions of language. Process Processes for communication —for example, creating, planning, drafting, designing, rehearsing, revising, presenting, publishing— are recursive, Board of Regents University System of Georgia* Objective Outcome “Understand “Use rhetorical conventions of contexts for writing writing by mechanics, establishing usage, and the writer’s style to role, the communicate audience, and effectively for the purpose of the given the project.” audience, purpose, and format.” Georgia Tech Writing and Communication Program Objectives Outcome Understand Create artifacts registers and that variations demonstrate within the synergy of discourses. rhetorical elements. Apply strategies for addressing academic and professional audiences. Objective “Approach writing as a way to think and communicate ideas to others.” Objective Explore individual and collaborative processes in multicultural and international contexts. Outcomes “Use recursive processes that include collecting information, focusing, ordering, drafting, revising, and editing.” “Demonstrate Outcome Construct, select, and deploy information based on interpretation and critique of the accuracy, bias, credibility, authority, and appropriateness of sources. Quoted text derives from the “Committee on English Recommendation,” Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia, http://www.usg.edu/academics/comm/english/level_11012.phtml (accessed July 31, 2008). * ENGL 1102/Wood/Spring 2008 3 not linear. Learning productive processes is as important as creating products. Modes and Media Activities and assignments should use a variety of modes and media— written, oral, visual, electronic, and nonverbal— singly and in combination. The context and culture of multimodality and multimedia are critical. Attendance the techniques and skills of research, integration of source material, and documentation.” Objective “Adjust writing to a variety of contexts, including electronic environments.” Outcome “Read and respond to various texts for purposes of interpretation, analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and judgment.” Objective Distinguish and evaluate multimodal communication —WOVEN (Written, Oral, Visual, Electronic, and Nonverbal). Outcome Create WOVEN artifacts that demonstrate interpretation, analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and judgment. I will be monitoring attendance for this class. Students are allowed to miss 4 class sessions without penalty (this includes sick days). I will deduct 10% from their final grade for each additional absence thereafter. In other words, if a student with a 90% in the class has five absences their final grade will be dropped to 80%. If students are absent, they are still expected to turn assigned work in on time (either submitting it to me via email by the beginning of the class period or having a fellow class member turn it in for them). It is also the student’s responsibility to contact me about their absence in a prompt fashion and to find out what they missed. Tardiness is unacceptable in my class. Students are expected to be on time and prepared for class. Repeated tardies will begin to count as absences and will negatively affect students’ grades. Classroom Dynamics and Participation This course aims to generate an interactive, engaging, and critical dialogue between all members of the class. Therefore, regular participation in class discussions is mandatory and each student will receive a grade for their efforts at the end of the semester, amounting to 10% of their final grade. While I will at times ENGL 1102/Wood/Spring 2008 4 lecture on some of the scholarly articles and other texts when I deem it necessary, my overall expectation is that we will work together as a group to come to more complex and varied understandings of the materials covered over the course of the semester. Non-Discrimination Georgia Tech does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. This class adheres to those guidelines. Alternative viewpoints are welcome in this classroom. However, statements that are deemed racist, sexist, classist, or otherwise discriminatory toward others in the class will not be tolerated. No form of harassment or discrimination is allowed in this class including but not limited to gender, age, ability, religion, sexual orientation, and ethnicity. In keeping with the professional nature of this course, only professional behavior is acceptable between the instructor and students, as well as between or among students. Personal Technology in the Classroom For the sake of common courtesy, all cell phones and beepers must be turned off during class. If your cell phone goes off during class I will confiscate the phone until the end of the class period. Text messaging is also not allowed during class time. PDAs, iPods, and any other hand-held portable devices must be turned off during class or they will also be confiscated. Laptops are allowed in the classroom for certain activities. I will, however, indicate when students may and may not use them. Any students who use their computers for non-class related purposes (such as email, IM, web surfing, etc.) will lose participation points. Repeated instances will result in a disciplinary meeting with me. Submitting Assignments All assignments must be completed and submitted at the beginning of the class period on the due date and in the assigned format. If under special circumstances you know in advance that you will be unable to attend class that day, you must make arrangements with me submit the assignment to me BEFORE the due date. All students are required to save backup copies of all of their work (CD-ROM or flashstick drives are ENGL 1102/Wood/Spring 2008 5 recommended). This is for your own protection. I will not accept any excuses about lost work, home computer meltdowns, etc. Therefore, students will be expected to save their work at all stages of the writing process to guard against any such computer problems. Students should also bring the backup copy with them to class whenever an assignment is due. Format LATE ASSIGNMENTS: Each student is allowed to turn in one major assignment late during the semester (excluding group assignments and the final project). They will then have one week from the original due date in which to submit the assignment, thereafter it will receive a zero. It is the student’s responsibility to notify me NO LATER than the day before the assignment is due that they will be submitting it late. I will not accept the assignment late if I am notified the day it is due. Each assignment must follow MLA format and citation guidelines unless indicated otherwise. I will deduct points for incorrect formatting. If you’re unclear on how to use MLA format, please review the section in your grammar handbook. Web assignments must employ MLA citation (for quotes, images, etc.) and include a Works Cited section in the proper bibliographic format. Academic Honesty All work students turn in for this class must be their own, with all outside reference sources properly cited and acknowledged. All written assignments for this course will be turned in through turnitin.com. Students are expected to abide by the “Student Conduct Code of the Rules and Regulations” (Georgia Institute of Technology General Catalog, Section XIX) which states, “Academic misconduct is an act that does or could improperly distort student grades or other student academic records” and offers the following descriptive list: Possessing, using, or exchanging improperly acquired written or verbal information in the preparation of any essay, laboratory report, examination, or other assignment included in an academic course; Substitution for, or unauthorized collaboration with, a student in the commission of academic requirements; ENGL 1102/Wood/Spring 2008 6 Submission of material that is wholly or substantially identical to that created or published by another person or persons, without adequate credit notations indicating authorship (plagiarism); False claims of performance or work that has been submitted by the claimant; Alteration or insertion of any academic grade or rating so as to obtain unearned academic credit; Forgery, alteration or misuse of any institute document relating to the academic status of the student. The Code continues, “While these acts constitute assured instances of academic misconduct, other acts of academic misconduct may be defined by the professor.” Students should consult the Honor Code online at http://www.gatech.edu/honadv/honorcode.html or in the General Catalog to remember ther primary commitment to academic honesty. Students who engage in academic dishonesty will receive a “zero” on the assignment and may fail the course. In addition, the instance will be reported to the Dean of Students who may take further action. Returning Graded Assignments I will endeavor to return graded assignments within two-three weeks of receiving them. I recommend that students read all of my comments carefully in order to learn which elements of their writing need improvement. Students are required to keep all graded assignments in a pocket folder until the end of the semester. Note: I reserve the right to return late assignments with minimal comments at whatever time I have completed assessing them. Questions about Grades Any concerns about individual assignment grades should be addressed to me and not the Department. I will not discuss grades the day that assignments are returned, as I require that students take time to review and reflect on their grade and my comments. I am happy to discuss graded assignments 24 hours after they have been handed back. Students may keep track of their grade in the class by logging into T-Square. ENGL 1102/Wood/Spring 2008 7 Conferences I am always happy to meet with students outside of class during my office hours or by appointment to discuss any of the texts we are reading, to go over assignments, to explain comments on graded papers, and to address any questions or concerns students may have. I will have office hours every week so feel free to drop by and just chat if you are so inclined. My office hours are solely for students, so make the most of me as a resource! Student Problems and The stresses of the academic semester, coupled with personal Concerns problems, can often seem overwhelming. If you are having difficulty meeting the requirements and expectations of this class, please come and see me immediately. While we can discuss your situation, and depending on circumstance make some accommodations, I must also emphasize that I am not a counselor. If you are having personal problems, please get in contact with the student counseling center (http://www.counseling.gatech.edu/). Similarly, you should make sure to know your academic advisor and meet with her/him to discuss options for withdrawal or medical leave should it become necessary. Accommodations Georgia Tech supports students through ADAPTS (Access Disabled Assistance Program for Tech Students). Any student who may require an accommodation for a documented disability should inform me as soon as possible or as soon as you become aware of your disability. Anyone who anticipates difficulties with the content or format of the course due to a documented disability should arrange a meeting so we can create a workable plan for your success in this course. ADAPTS serves any Georgia Tech student who has a documented, qualifying disability. Official documentation of the disability is required to determine eligibility for accommodations or adaptations that may be helpful for this course. Please make sure I receive a Faculty Accommodation Letter form verifying your disability and specifying the accommodation you need. ADAPTS operates under the guidelines of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Visit: Smithgall Student Services Bldg, Suite 210 on 353 Ferst Dr. Email: adapts@vpss.gatech.edu. Call: 404-894-2563 (V); 404-894-1664 (TDD); 404-8949928 (fax) ENGL 1102/Wood/Spring 2008 8 Assignments *Specific details about and requirements for assignments will be given out at the appropriate times during the semester. Group Poster Presentation (10%): Early in the semester, students will sign up for a particular film that they would like to work on for their poster presentation. Students will be placed in groups and required to develop a formal poster that presents an analysis of a specific theme or idea in their chosen film. Each group will then give a 5-10 minute oral presentation explaining their poster to the class during the week that we will be discussing the film. Quizzes (15%): Students will have 12 multiple choice and short answer quizzes on the films and required readings throughout the semester. Movie Poster (5%): Students will create a new film poster for Night of the Living Dead. Scene Analysis Web Project (20%): Students will be asked to perform a formal scene analysis of a particular sequence from one of the films. They will need to develop a webpage that presents their analysis and incorporates images and/or film clips to reinforce their argument. Final Web Project & Portfolio (35%): For the final project, students will need to create an interactive website that does two things: 1) the site as a whole should function as a portfolio for their writing throughout the semester (i.e. a main page, introduction, menu, links to respective sections of the portfolio, conclusion section, etc). (Note: Students will need to keep copies of all written work on their computers in order to include them in their portfolios at the end of the semester) 2) the site will also need to include the final research project on zombies in popular media. The research project must focus on a particular theme or themes (i.e. gender, technology, reproduction, etc.) in 2-3 different zombie narratives. Students are free to choose any texts they wish (film, novel, graphic novel, etc.) to analyze. One text must be from the course reading or film list; additional texts may be chosen from outside with prior approval. The project should develop a clear argument, establish connections across the texts (i.e. comparison and/or contrast), present close readings of key scenes or examples to support ideas, and integrate theoretical ideas from at least five scholarly sources to help develop the author’s ENGL 1102/Wood/Spring 2008 9 claims. Evaluation Participation (10%): Since the class will revolve around regular group discussion and in-class activities, students will be expected to contribute on a regular basis and to provide thoughtful and constructive views on the texts and topics we will be covering. Several factors will be considered when assessing participation: 1) relevance and quality of contributions, 2) overall attendance and punctuality, 3) involvement in group tasks and peer review, 4) completion of in-class activities. Near the end of the semester I will assign each student an individual participation grade based on these assessment criteria. Frequent absences or tardiness will result in the loss of points. All grades for the semester will adhere to Georgia Tech’s mandatory grading scale—note, there are no plus or minus grades in this system. 90%-100% 80%-89% 70%-79% 60%-69% 59%-below Disclaimer A B C D F As the instructor of this course, I reserve the right to make any changes to the syllabus that I deem necessary during the semester. Students will be expected to make note of any such changes and follow them accordingly. ENGL 1102/Wood/Spring 2008 10 Tentative Schedule (Subject to Change) Week 1 Monday (01/05): First day of class—go over syllabus HW: 1) print and read syllabus, 2) bring syllabus and signed final page to class on Wednesday, 3)buy texts for class Wednesday (01/07): Introduction to zombies HW: Make name card; Read pp. 7-31 of Book of the Dead; Watch White Zombie (streaming link on wiki) Friday (01/09): *Last day of drop/add* Discuss White Zombie HW: Read pp. 33-53 of Book of the Dead Week 2 Monday (01/12): In-class departmental diagnostic essay Student introductions HW: Read Julia Kristeva’s “Approaching Abjection.” (on course reserve) Wednesday (01/14): Discuss article Short film clip + analysis Sign-up for Poster Presentations HW: Read Freud’s “The ‘Uncanny’” (online link on wiki) Friday (01/16): Discuss article HW: Read Richard Matheson’s novella I am Legend Week 3 Monday (01/19): NO SCHOOL (Official Holiday) Wednesday (01/21): QUIZ #1 Discuss I am Legend HW: Read pp.55-64 of Book of the Dead Friday (01/23): Discuss I am Legend HW: Watch Night of the Living Dead (Streaming link on wiki; DVD copy in library; or buy it) ENGL 1102/Wood/Spring 2008 11 Week 4 Monday (01/26): QUIZ #2 Discuss Night of the Living Dead HW: Read pp.64-70 of Book of the Dead Wednesday (01/28): Discuss Night of the Living Dead Go over Movie Poster Assignment HW: Work on Movie Poster Week 5 Friday (01/30): Discuss Night of the Living Dead Work on Movie Poster HW: Watch Dawn of the Dead (buy DVD or watch DVD copy in library on reserve) Monday (02/02): QUIZ #3 Discuss Dawn of the Dead HW: Read pp.71-128 of Book of the Dead Wednesday (02/04): Movie Poster Due Discuss Dawn of the Dead Discuss readings HW: Read Tania Modleski’s “The Terror of Pleasure: The Contemporary Horror Film and Postmodern Theory” (on course reserve) Friday (02/06): Discuss Dawn of the Dead Discuss article HW: Watch Day of the Dead (buy DVD or watch DVD copy in library on reserve) Week 6 Monday (02/09): QUIZ #4 Discuss Day of the Dead HW: Read pp.129-151 of Book of the Dead Wednesday (02/11): Discuss Day of the Dead HW: Read Robin Wood’s “Day of the Dead: The Woman’s Nightmare” ENGL 1102/Wood/Spring 2008 12 Friday (02/13): Discuss Day of the Dead Discuss article HW: Watch Peter Jackson’s Brain Dead (buy DVD or watch DVD copy in library on reserve) Week 7 Monday (02/16): QUIZ #5 Discuss Brain Dead HW: Read pp.151-160 of Book of the Dead Wednesday (02/18): Discuss Brain Dead Go over Scene Analysis Web Project Assignment HW: Read excerpts from Barbara Creed’s “Faces of the Monstrous-Feminine: Abjection and the Maternal” Friday (02/20): Discuss Brain Dead HW: Watch Resident Evil (buy DVD or watch DVD copy in library on reserve) Week 8 Monday (02/23): QUIZ #6 Discuss Resident Evil HW: Read pp.161-178 of Book of the Dead Wednesday (02/25): Discuss Resident Evil Discuss readings HW: Finish rough draft of scene analysis Friday (02/27): Discuss Resident Evil Peer Review Workshop HW: Watch 28 Days Later (buy DVD or watch DVD copy on reserve in library) Week 9 Monday (03/02): QUIZ #7 Discuss 28 Days Later HW: Read pp.178-192 Wednesday (03/04): Discuss 28 Days Later Discuss readings HW: Finish Scene Analysis Web Project ENGL 1102/Wood/Spring 2008 13 Week 10 Friday (03/06): Scene Analysis Web Project Due Discuss 28 Days Later HW: Watch Stacy (buy DVD or watch DVD coy on reserve in library) Monday (03/09): QUIZ #8 Go over Final Web Project/Portfolio Discuss Stacy HW: Begin brainstorming and drafting proposal for final project Wednesday (03/11): Library resources and database searching review session HW: Finish drafting proposal for final project Friday (03/13): Final Project Proposal Due Discuss Stacy HW: Watch Land of the Dead (buy DVD or watch DVD copy on reserve in library) Week 11 Week 12 SPRING BREAK (03/16-03/20) * Start reading Max Brooks’s World War Z* Monday (03/23): QUIZ #9 Discuss Land of the Dead HW: Begin reading secondary sources for your final project Wednesday (03/25): Discuss Land of the Dead HW: Continue with research for final project Friday (03/27): Discuss Land of the Dead HW: Watch Diary of the Dead (buy DVD or watch DVD copy on reserve in library) Week 13 Monday (03/30): QUIZ #10 Discuss Diary of the Dead HW: Begin drafting final project Wednesday (04/01): Discuss Diary of the Dead HW: Continue working on rough draft ENGL 1102/Wood/Spring 2008 14 Week 14 Friday (04/03): Discuss Diary of the Dead HW: Finish Max Brooks’s World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War Monday (04/06): QUIZ #11 Discuss World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War HW: Continue drafting Final Project Wednesday (04/08): Discuss World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War HW: Continue drafting Final Project Friday (04/10): Rough Draft of Final Project Due—Peer Review HW: Read The Walking Dead (Vol. 1) Week 15 Monday (04/13): QUIZ #12 Discuss The Walking Dead HW: Continue working on revisions and begin web design Wednesday (04/15): Discuss The Walking Dead In-class end of semester timed writing HW: Continue working on web design Friday (04/17): In-class work day (Computer Lab) HW: Prepare for Peer Review Workshop on Monday Week 16 Monday (04/20): In-class work day (Computer Lab) HW: Work on Final Project Revisions Wednesday (04/22): Peer Review Workshop Friday (04/24): Last Day of Class—final thoughts for the semester Final Project Due—on scheduled exam date ENGL 1102/Wood/Spring 2008 15 Signed Student/Instructor Agreement PLEASE READ, SIGN, AND RETURN THESE STATEMENTS TO DR. WOOD I affirm that I have read the entire syllabus and policies for Dr. Wood’s ENGL 1102 class and understand the information and the responsibilities specified. ____________________________________________ print name ____________________________________________ signature ____________________________________________ date DIRECTIONS: Read carefully and check all that apply. I give my instructor, Andrea Wood, permission to use copies of the work I do for this course, ENGL 1102: as examples in this and other courses as examples in presentations and in print and electronic publications Please indicate how you want to be acknowledged: Please use my name both in the acknowledgements and with my actual document. Please use my name in the acknowledgements section but use an appropriate pseudonym with my actual document. Please use a pseudonym both in the acknowledgements and with my actual document. Please use my work, but do not acknowledge me in any way. I do not want my work used as examples in any situations. _________________________________________________________________________ print name _________________________________________________________________________ signature _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ print permanent address _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ print campus address _________________________________________________________________________ date ENGL 1102/Wood/Spring 2008 16 ENGL 1102/Wood/Spring 2008 17