Introductory description

N/A

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The following is an indicative syllabus for the module and may change from year-to-year depending on the module leader:

1. Introduction - horror films and television - mapping the debates
   Screenings might include 'Frankenstein' (James Whale, US, 1931), 'American Horror Story' (FX, 2011-)

2. Horror cinema as national cinema
   Screenings might include 'Nosferatu' (F.W. Murnau, Germany, 1922), Kiss of the Vampire (Don Sharp, UK, 1963)

3. Gothic film and television: ghosts and the uncanny
   Screenings might include 'The Others' (Alejandro Amenábar, US, 2001), 'Whistle and I’ll Come to You' (BBC1, 1967))

4. Gothic film and television: exploring the female Gothic
   Screenings might include 'Rebecca' (Alfred Hitchcock, US, 1940), 'Woman in White' (BBC1, 1997)),

5. Children's horror
   Screenings might include 'The Hole' (Joe Dante, US, 2009), 'Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids (ITV, 1999-2010; Nickelodeon 2010-) 'Are You Afraid of the Dark?' (Nickelodeon, 1990-2000)

6. Body horror: confronting the abject
   Screenings might include 'Videodrome' (David Cronenberg, US, 1983), 'Masters of Horror' (Showtime, 2005-2007)).

7. Gender, genre, and the final girl: reading the slasher film
   Screenings might include 'Halloween' (John Carpenter, US, 1979), 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' (Tobe Hooper, US, 1974)

8. Understanding the zombie
   Screenings might include 'Night of the Living Dead' (George Romero, US, 1968), 'The Walking Dead' (AMC, 2010-)

9. Beyond the multiplex: the circulation of contemporary horror cinema
   Screenings might include 'Salvage' (Lawrence Gough, UK, 2008), 'Mum and Dad' (Steve Sheil, UK, 2008)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Be able to undertake independent historical research into horror/Gothic film and/or television, and communicate research outcomes with clarity, both orally, in writing and through the use of IT.
• Be able to offer critical, evaluative textual analyses of the film and television texts attended to on the module.
• Understand historical and contemporary trends in the production, exhibition and distribution of horror film, television, web-based texts, etc.
• Have an understanding of the issues and approaches central to the study of horror film and television, and be able to evaluate critically and mobilise key theoretical concepts, perspectives and methodologies in relation to this genre.
• Have an understanding of the issues and approaches central to the study of the Gothic in film and television and be able to evaluate critically and mobilise key theoretical concepts, perspectives and methodologies in relation to this genre.
• Develop research topics and questions that intervene in or develop existing debates about horror and the Gothic in film and television.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Subject specific skills

This module develops skills of audio-visual literacy, through close textual and/or contextual analysis in relation to the moving image and sound. It may also develops understandings of historical, theoretical and conceptual frameworks relevant to screen arts and cultures.

Transferable skills

• critical and analytical thinking in relation
• independent research skills
• team work
• clarity and effectiveness of communication, oral and written
• accurate, concise and persuasive writing
• audio-visual literacy