tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post2567242090322837269..comments2024-03-10T20:46:19.274-04:00Comments on In the Middle: BABEL panel bloggedCord J. Whitakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06224143153295429986noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post-79964001527073460982008-05-12T16:19:00.000-04:002008-05-12T16:19:00.000-04:00I figured I should chime in here, and simply say t...I figured I should chime in here, and simply say that the BABEL panel was fascinating. I was glad I came, and I am heartened that my comment seems to resonate.<BR/><BR/>I have taught the "Monster Culture" essay for several semesters, usually in conjunction with some other monster theorists (Haraway and Young, mainly.) Students are allowed to use whichever theorist they want in order to critically anchor their readings of literature. And the majority choose Cohen. This is after they complain bitterly at first about "how hard" it is! It's a really useful essay because it teaches them how to look at and think through alterity, in ways that are both clear and critical. And it's applicable to both medieval and very contemporary texts. I've read some cool student papers that use Cohen to explore monstrosity in Octavia Butler's science fiction novel Wildseed. <BR/><BR/>Anyway, I have to use medieval studies in the present of my teaching. If I didn't, I wouldn't be using my training. (And also, I'd be bored to tears.)Katharine Jagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04556845130701381880noreply@blogger.com