Monster studies often intersect with literature, psychology, anthropology, history, and cultural studies. It explores how monsters reflect societal fears, moral issues, and psychological conflicts, making it a multidimensional field that’s intellectually stimulating.
Monsters in folklore, movies, and books often symbolize contemporary societal issues. For instance, zombies can represent fears of pandemics or societal collapse, while vampires might reflect fears of the outsider or the seductive but dangerous unknown.
Studying these creatures allows us to understand more about human nature and societal concerns. The field encourages creative thinking as it often involves analyzing fantastical elements that do not conform to the mundane realities of life. This can be especially appealing for those who enjoy creativity and imagination in academic pursuits.
Please join “Our Monsters, Ourselves: Societal Concerns through a Pop Culture Lens” on Saturday, April 27, from 7-8 p.m. where a group of talented scholars will talk about monsters as the embodiment of societal othering. The academic exploration of how monsters reflect the cultural concerns of their times has exploded in popularity over the past decade, particularly in light of the growingly heated discourse about what place diversity initiatives have in higher education. This session focuses primarily on pop culture monsters through a queer lens, while touching on related lenses and ideologies.
“Presenters will share their monster research in a presentation style, with a Q&A to follow,” said Dr. David Hansen, panel organizer. “Fans of monsters/horror are welcome to attend and share their interests and research goals.”
This and all English Department-sponsored panels will be held in the Circus Room at the Bone Student Center from 4-9 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2024.
The ReggieCon Live! 2024 website has more information.
