Youth Monsterology is comprised of two overarching activities: the book club and the independent projects. The book club runs for the full five months, and independent projects are completed during the final three months.
Participants will discuss social and political themes in monster literature with their peers under the guidance of Dr. Kathleen Kellett, an experienced educator (that's me). Each club section will have roughly a dozen participants.
The book club will meet on a private Discord server for synchronous audio discussions every two weeks. Participants will also have continuous access to the Discord server in which they can participate in text channels with one another throughout the duration of the program. At the mid-month meetings, we will discuss one to two short stories. At the end-of-month meetings, we will discuss a novel, graphic novel, or novella.
Based on the themes of the book club, participants will develop an independent, community-facing academic, creative, and/or activist project. Not only will this set them apart in college applications and résumés, but it will also allow them the opportunity to share their valuable insights on the topics they most care about.
Or some combination of these three categories!
For the book club, I will facilitate discussions about theme, metaphor, character analysis, and broader sociopolitical implications in monster stories. Participants will be encouraged to make connections between the texts and their own observations about life as a contemporary young person. My facilitation style is to ask open-ended questions that prompt participants to think about literature in new ways, and then to give them the floor to see where their insights take them.
For the independent projects, I will provide close one-on-one mentorship as participants design, organize, draft, revise, and publicize their project. Starting at the beginning of the third month of the program, I will meet with participants once a week to provide guidance and personal feedback on planning, writing, and communication with community partners. This mentorship will therefore be a combination of academic and practical, as I aid participants in not only producing polished, high-quality work, but also making connections with professionals in their communities.
For my credentials in this field, please check out the About me page!.
If the initial group fills, an additional time slot will be opened.
There will not be refunds for missed meetings. However, if a participant chooses to withdraw from the program, please notify me via email, and subsequent payments will be discontinued.
Please fill out this form prior to completing your payment.