Film for Non-Majors: The Horror Film

Catalog description

This course will explore the horror film—its appeal, its influence, and the ways in which it evolves to scare new audiences, generation after generation. Horror's creeping roots were planted well before the dawn of the twentieth century, and it continues to be the most consistently popular and successful film genre. It has provided commentary on the topics that seem too frightening or too difficult to talk openly about, and it has explored the things that scare us the most. Together, we will watch foundational films and lesser-known gems, familiarizing ourselves with the major movements and theories that underpin the genre in order to develop our analysis and research skills. Along the way, we will delve into important—and sometimes frightening—truths.