This course explores the concept of the "monstrous feminine," a term coined by feminist theorist Barbara Creed to explore how depictions of women intersect with themes of horror, abjection, and the grotesque. Throughout the course, students will examine how feminine characters in ancient and modern literature, film, and popular culture are frequently represented as monstrous, deviant, or otherworldly, and how these representations reveal underlying cultural fears and anxieties about gender, power, and the body. The course will explore themes such as fear of the female body, maternal and childbearing anxieties, sexual transgression, and the abjection of women in both historical and contemporary contexts. Using a range of disciplinary tools and methods, including psychoanalysis, feminist theory, and film criticism, students will engage with works ranging from the ancient Middle east and North Africa, the Bible, iconic horror films, literature, and art, analyzing how the monstrous feminine serves as a metaphor for the social, cultural, and political positioning of women. No previous knowledge of the Bible, literature, or monsters is required or presumed.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 25

Crosslisted Courses: WGST 208

Prerequisites: None

Distribution Requirements: ARS - Visual Arts, Music, Theater, Film and Video; REP - Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy

Typical Periods Offered: Every other year

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Spring