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Course Outline ENG 271

FACULTY RESOURCES - ENGLISH:

Course Outline - ENG 271

COURSE TITLE: Film Genre: Horror COURSE HOURS PER WEEK:
COURSE NUMBER: ENG 271 Lecture: 2
COURSE CREDITS: 4 Lec/Lab: 2
COURSE PREREQUISITES: WR 121 or its equivalent Lab:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Suggested Prerequisites: A passing grade in WR 115 and/or placement into WR 121.

This course will examine the history of the horror film from the silent era to the present, focusing mainly on U.S. texts. The class will explore various theories of the horror genre, the history and social context of horror cycles, and the representation of class, gender, sexuality, nationality, and ethnicity as they relate to horror.

General Course Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, the successful student will be able to: These outcomes will be verified by the following assessments:
A. Apply one or more of the various theories of the horror genre we study during the term

Any of the following:  class discussions, quizzes, midterm and final examinations, analytical essays, presentations;

B. Explain the larger social-historical and generic context from which the chosen films emerge and which helps to shape them Same as above
C. Explain the ideological implications of horror film in terms of race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, ability, nation, and class. Same as above
D. Use a framework and formal vocabulary for thinking and talking about the horror genre Exam questions on formal film analysis AND any of the following: class discussion, presentations, quizzes, essays, shot lists/film segmentations
E. Recognize and be able to describe narrative and stylistic conventions of the horror genre Same as D, above
F. Identify and evaluate significant examples of horror film Same as A, above
G. Write meaningfully about the formal and ideological issues of the horror films studied during the quarter Academic Essays AND any of the following: quizzes, exams, informal writing, discussion posts, etc.

Course outline by major topic: (See course calendars for other examples)

  1. Historical approaches to the genre
    1. Introduction to the historical antecedents of cinematic horror—Gothic Novels Primitive films and silent horror                                                                                                        
    2. Classical horror (1930-1960)                                                                                                  
    3. "B" horror and exploitation films (body horror and f/x) Slasher films                                                                                                                     
    4. The Giallo                                                                                                                             
    5. Serial killer films                                                                                                                   
    6. Postmodern & self-reflexive horror
  2. Film, form, and style                                                                                                                   
    1. Formalist film theory and film language (mise en scène, the shot, editing, use of sound)                                                                                                          

  1. Theoretical approaches to the genre                                                                             
    1. Theories of spectatorship                                                                                              
    2. Reception studies                                                                                                                  
    3. Critical race theory                                                                                                               
    4. Feminist theory                                                                                                                             
    5. Narratology                                                                                                                           
    6. Psychoanalysis