Hello! I’m Kim and my major is English and Comparative Literature. I am a second semester transfer student from San Diego City College and proud to be at SDSU! I’m also born and raised in San Diego. Although my knowledge about mermaids extends to the Disney version of The Little Mermaid, I’m excited to learn through a different and more intellectual perspective. I’m also enthusiastic to learn what relation mermaids have to the environment!
While I was reading the introductory part of the reading, all I could think was “dang, there are a LOT of different interpretations about mermaids”. And thats not really the half of it- there seemed to be a different definition, a different vision of what a mermaid was, what they looked like, and what they did. I liked that. I liked seeing how different cultures took different ideas about the mermaid, even though some of them I definitely did not agree with. It’s interesting to consider how many people used the mermaid as a symbol, even when different groups and cultures had clashing ideas.
Seems to me that growing up in certain areas or growing up with certain ideas colors the symbolism of the mermaid. While the ideas can change over decades or centuries, some things still remain- positive or negative connotations with the mythical creature. And it’s so fun to see the change. Going from monstrous, to beautiful, and from different flavors of dangerous. Like how some mermaids were almost completely monsters, like Scylla and Charbydis, but then much later in other cultures they became more and more human. I think that speaks to how more modern audiences begin to view the mermaid itself.
Reading this text, I was able to see and decipher many new meanings of the symbolization of a mermaid that I had never seen or thought of before. While some and most ideas I read about were fascinating, there was one mentioned around the beginning of the introduction that caught my attention. “Humanity maintains a tenuous balance between wonder and order,civilization and savagery.” (Vaughn,9). While the text goes on to explain and share the origin of mermaids and merpeople, this concept stayed with me throughout. It made me question a couple of things, along with humanity and just what it means to be a “human.” Since this was mentioned, it made me think of the fine line between human and monster, or animal, when it comes to a mermaid. What this might mean for humans, and made me think that maybe there is also a fine line for humans between humanity, empathy and monstrosity (whatever that may mean for everyone individually). While I wasn’t surprised by the sexualization of mermaids, I was disappointed. The fact that even as mythical creatures, women can’t seem to catch a break from men, is overwhelming. Mermaids we’re seen as derivatives of beasts, and we’re to blame for men’s lust, which was another thing that was upsetting. While learning of these origins might’ve not been the ones expected, it was interesting to learn how mermaids can hold so much symbolization and significance, when I had never thought of it before.
Hi! My name is Naomi and it is my third year here at San Diego State. My major is sustainability, and so far I have enjoyed almost all my classes. I took this class because I saw the description of the course and was immediately intrigued! Mainly all my classes so far have revolved the environment in some type of way, so when I saw this one available I thought it was the perfect chance to try something somewhat out of my comfort zone and learn something new.
Outside of school, I like to go to the gym and the beach. I love swimming in the ocean and just hanging around the water. This summer I would love to get my scuba diving certification. After graduating I would love nothing more than to work in ocean conservation, the details of my plan are not yet finalized, but I’m excited to be in this class and continue my education!
Hi, I’m Giselle and I’m pretty stoked to take this class! I had a few expectations going into this semester but the first class we had together last Thursday really blew my mind! The reading material is very interesting and I’m excited for whatever we’ll be learning about.
I’m a junior, this is technically my third year in college even though if we were really counting, it’s my fourth. I did three years at community college before transferring over to SDSU last fall. I’m a San Diego native, and I’ll probably stay here for awhile longer. I’m an English major, and I really do enjoy reading and sometimes writing, even though I don’t really have the time to do much of either 🙁
Hi everyone!! My name is Thavanh and I am in my fourth year here at SDSU. I’m a sustainability major and I hope to work in the sustainability consulting industry. I was born in Tampa, Florida but moved to San Diego when I was 10, so I consider San Diego my home. I’ve always enjoyed learning about the environment and I wasn’t expecting this class to be based on mermaids, however, I am excited to learn this different approach and perspective on the environment.
Outside of academics I enjoy new experiences and making memories. I enjoy keeping myself busy, so when I’m not working or on campus, I’m at the gym and making plans with my friends usually trying new things or going to new cute places. I enjoy traveling and plan to travel around Europe during the summer with the friends I made from studying abroad in Singapore in the Summer ’23. I’m excited to get to know everyone and listen to everyone’s perspectives and ideas!!
Hi my name is Kayla and I just transferred from Santa Barbara City College. I was born in Virginia and lived there until I moved to Santa Barbara when I was 15. Not sure how I lived away from the ocean, because now most of my hobbies revolve around the water. I am studying communications here but pondering declaring a major in sustainability. I figured this was a good major for someone like me, who changes my mind quite often. I was drawn to this class because I love literature and the environment separately and am interested in studying the correlation between the two. I also love mermaids so that is a plus!
Outside of school I try to keep myself busy, and enjoy pretty much any activity outside. This past year I got super into sailing and surfing and I plan to get my captains license after I graduate. As of right now my dream is to do sailboat deliveries and travel the world via the water. Until then, I am excited to expand my knowledge and grow my mind.
Hello Everyone,
My name is Hiba. I am an English major. I have a background in biology and I work in the Biotech field. I have always loved Literature and Science and so this class sounds very exciting because it seems like the two are combined.
A little more about me: I have interests in almost every subject from sciences to liberal arts. I like reading self-help books (not sure why because they never help me LOL). I find them inspiring haha. I love UFC and boxing but I also do Ballet. I like trying new things and challenging myself to be better. I look forward to meeting you all and learning more in this class.
Dear All,
I am very excited to meet you and study with you, as we explore the entangled relationship between literature and the environment via a focus on the ancient, historical, and powerful myth of mermaids. This is a class in critical reading, thinking, and writing; it is about how we humans tells stories, past and present, and it could not be more important to our contemporary moment… I hope you will agree!
This website contains our syllabus (distributed across the pages) and more information for our study. We will be using this site, rather than Canvas, for our class.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at jpressman@sdsu.edu
See you on Thursday, January 18 at 2pm in Geology Mathematics Computer Science (GMCS), room 308.
Until soon!
-Professor Pressman