The teen years may be a perfect time to read Shelley’s classic horror story of her misunderstood monster. Join Professor Pearce and go deep into the text as well as the life of the author. Frankenstein is a book that may just stick with you long after you close it. Parents, this is one you’ll enjoy reading alongside your teen!

Instructor Access (Optional grading support) is available for this course. Please note: this is ONLY recommended if you wish to write the optional paper. All quizzes are internally graded in this course. Optional papers will be completed via this page (click here) for an Instructor Access fee of $75.

How to get the most out of this course:

• First, read the course details below and purchase or borrow the book.

• Prepare a notebook for notetaking and homework.

• Listen attentively to the lectures, with the required text in front of you so you can be on the same page as Professor Pearce as he reads and discusses passages from the book.

• The quizzes for each class will cover the passages from the book discussed in class so students should take notes and highlight the passages discussed.

• Complete the automated quiz, which is graded by Caravel.

• The reading for each week can be found in that week's module.

• If you need review, go back and watch the recording again and/or go over the Notes.

• Repeat until all 6 classes and all 6 quizzes are complete.

• Once the course is finished to the parent's satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records. Make sure to record your grades (Homeschool Connections does not provide recordkeeping services).

Total classes: 6

Duration: 55 minutes per class

Prerequisite: The ability to read and enjoy Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Note: This is a story that includes violence and murder (not graphic). While it is not a particularly easy read, it is a rewarding read in the end.

Suggested grade level: 10th to 12th grade
Suggested credit: 1/2 semester Literature or English

Instructor: Joseph Pearce

Course description: A detailed study of Mary Shelley's classic novel, Frankenstein, focusing on its interaction with the popular ideas of the day, such as Romanticism, scientism, atheism, and how they clash with traditional Christian values.

Course outline:

Day One: Setting the Scene and Context for the novel: Shelley's Confusion and Conflicted Passions
Day Two: Pages 1-41
Day Three: Pages 41-81
Day Four: Pages 83-119
Day Five: Pages 119-167
Day Six: Pages 167-216

Course materials: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Ignatius Critical Editions, ISBN-10‏:‎ 1586171380 or ISBN-13:‎ 978-1586171384. Note: If you use another edition, the page numbers will not align and it will not include the Catholic footnotes found in the Ignatius Critical Editions.

Homework: The reading assignment for each class is detailed in the Course Outline above. Students should complete the assigned reading for each class beforehand. Students should highlight the passages discussed in class and review this for the quiz assigned for each class. The estimated time for homework for each class, i.e. for the assigned reading and reviewing for each quiz, should be about 90 minutes.

Technical Help: If you have any technical trouble or questions about course content, please email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com.

©2023 Homeschool Connections and Joseph Pearce. All rights reserved. This course is designed by Joseph Pearce.

• This material is only to be used for its intended purpose by active subscribers of Homeschool Connections. Any other use without explicit permission is in violation of the seventh commandment (yes, the 7th commandment) and in violation of US and International copyright laws.

• You may print or download to local hard disk extracts for your personal homeschool and non-commercial use only. This is not to be used for homeschool co-ops without express written permission from Homeschool Connections.