Studies in Literature and Film (386-0-20)

Topic

Horror Film

Instructors

James Joseph Hodge
847 4915675
University Hall Room 408

Meeting Info

Harris Hall L28: Tues, Thurs 3:30PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

This course surveys the modern American horror film from Psycho in 1960 to the present. Likely films to be studied include Night of the Living Dead, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Exorcist, Alien, Jennifer's Body, It Follows, Get Out, Midsommar, and others. The course will focus on one major feature-length film per week proceeding chronologically. We will analyze films textually; and we will also focus on acquiring critical vocabularies for discussing horror cinema. Major themes and questions will include not only the question of why it's fun (or not) to be scared but also what social and philosophical themes the genre of horror opens up in surprising and provocative ways (from gender, violence, and technology to childhood, evil, and race). To catalyze discussion we will read a variety of secondary sources by authors from a range of disciplines.

Teaching Method

Discussion and short lecture.

Evaluation Method

Essays.

Class Materials (Required)

Required Texts: None.

Class Attributes

Advanced Expression
Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area