EAC275 - The Grotesque: Bizarre Tales and Gory Stories

Subject Title
The Grotesque: Bizarre Tales and Gory Stories

Subject Description
What is the "grotesque"--what is "horror"--in art?  And why are we so fascinated by it? The art of the grotesque is various and hard to define.  Whether it involves the gargoyles on cathedral walls or the genius of Goya or the kitschy surrealism of Dali; whether the carnage in the Iliad, the monster-mainstream bestsellers Stephen King, Peter Straub, and Anne Rice, we recognize the varying styles of the grotesque and experience the varying emotions of fascination, repulsion, and gross-out.  Art that promises us fright and repulsion seems to be deeply imprinted on the human psyche.  Is it because it reminds us of our place in the food chain?  Our understanding of our place in the universe shapes all art, culture, and civilization.  Why do we need to read horror fiction with a rising sense of dread--more and more quickly, more and more willing to suspend disbelief and skepticism--as we inhabit the stories as their protagonists?

Credit Status
One general education elective in the Arts & Humanities category; this course is also classified as a literature course

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

On successfully completing this course, students will have demonstrated:
1. An understanding of the tools of playwrighting, such as character, plot, climax, resolution, dramatic irony, etc.

2. An understanding of the tools of play production, such as direction, set design, lighting, sound, make-up and stage management.

3. An appreciation of the various kinds of dramatic comedy - for example, romantic comedy, farce, comedy of manners and tragicomedy.

4. The ability to find, understand and write play reviews.

5. The ability to apply the skills learned in EAC150 to produce lucid, perceptive and syntactically sound essays.

Essential Employability Skills

    •  Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfils the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.

    •  Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.

    •  Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.

    •  Show respect for diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others.

    •  Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.

Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.