First Year Seminar 191CNS56 - FYS- Topics in CNS

First-year (R1ST) Title: Biology of Monsters and Mythical Beasts
For thousands of years, people have been sharing stories about monsters as a way of explaining ideas, warning children, or for sheer entertainment. In this course, we will explore the very real concepts of biology that make these monsters so compelling. You will learn about nuanced evolutionary adaptations by using familiar creatures from various forms of fiction, with a focus on fun. The ultimate goal of this course is to provide you with the ability to think critically about why a mythical (or real) creature might look or act the way it does. In addition to our monster studies, this course will also serve as a place for learning about campus resources and developing skills for scholarly success.