Topics in Social Issues: Horror Films: History and Interpretation

In this class, we will watch “classic” horror films and more recent films (newer twists on old themes) and learn the history of the horror genre, scholarly interpretations of horror movies and we will discover how these films reflect and negotiate the sexual, racial, and political anxieties, fears, and concerns of mainstream American society at the time they were released. Through discussion and group exercises, we will learn the common components of horror films that have been used to censor or scapegoat different and “otherness” in American society and culture.

The films include “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” (1920), “Dracula” (1931), “I Walked with a Zombie,” (1943), “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” (1956), “The Night of the Living Dead” (1968), and others. Please note this is a HYBRID class. We will only meet in-person on Thursdays.

Course requirements:

Computer/Device Requirements:

• Access to fast internet connection. All of the required films will be viewed on-line. If you do not have a fast connection, you are encouraged to view the films on campus at one of the computer halls.

Film Viewing Requirements:

• You will be watching 8 films this quarter that must be viewed before our class discussions (see syllabus for exact dates).
•  You will need to access them yourself either through Kanopy.com or through a major Streaming service.