Theatre 382
THEA 382: Genre Study: Horror
Prerequisites: THEA 180
Credit Hours: (3)
An exploration of the evolution, aesthetics and process of the cinema of horror through the examination of films, film makers, techniques and critical thought which focuses on this genre.
Detailed Description of Course
PRE-CINEMA
1) The folklore behind vampires, werewolves, zombies, extraterrestrials, ghosts and monsters.
2) Biological phenomena that influenced superstitious beliefs.
3) Literature that became a resource for horror films. Works by authors such as Walpole, Radcliffe, Hoffman, Shelly, Hugo, Poe, Stevenson, Wilde, Wells, Stoker and Lerox to be discussed
4) Theatre that became a resource for horror films. Theatre producers such as Oscar Metenier and playwrights such as Andre de Lorde.
SILENT ERA
1) An examination of the seminal silent films that began to define this genre.
2) Film clips by people like Melies, Dawly, Uguoro, Griffith, Caleen, Wegener, Gance, Wiene, Lang, Christensen, Murnau, Leni, Hoyt, Ingram and West will be the basis for discussion.
3) The works of Todd Browning and Lon Chaney, both independently and in collaboration will be examined through their work on such films as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Phantom of the Opera, The Unholy Three, The Unknown, West of Zanzibar, and London After Midnight.
SOUND ERA
1) The transition from silent to sound horror.
2) Special FX with special emphasis placed the technological innovations of King Kong.
3) The 1930s through discussion of films by directors like Whale, Cooper, Freund, Dryer, Ulmer and Helperin.
4) The 1940's through discussion of films by directors like Wagner, Tourneur, Robson and Wise with special emphasis placed on the films produced by Val Lewton.
5) The 1950s through discussion of films by directors like Arnold and Castle.
6) The 1960s through discussion of films by directors like Bava, Hitchcock, Corman, Fisher and Romero.
7) Marketing focusing on the ballyhoo advertising schemes used to promote the films in horror genre. Special emphasis will be placed on the techniques of Babs Kroger and William Castle.
8) The Universal horror cycle that created iconic figures such as Frankenstein's Monster, Dracula, Wolfman, Invisible Man and the Creature from the Black Lagoon.
CULTURAL IMPACT AND INFLUENCE
1) Horror fandom, conventions and fan films.
2) Horror Hosts, such as the Vampira, Zacherley and the Bowman Body.
3) Zombie mania and the Walking dead.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Screenings and discussions: Use of in class screenings in part or in whole to drive discussion based on attention to detail.
Group based class activities: Ex: "As a group, without using reference material, define horror as a cinema genre in a written statement." Follow with discussion.
In class writing to promote discussion: Ex. "Compare the portrayal of the Frankenstein monster from both Universal and Hammer studios. Which is stronger and why?"
Creative Project Option Final: In a 10-15 minute presentation, teach the class about one of our films (or a film of your choosing) with regard to its history, significance/relevance, and major issues and messages. You must include a visual aid (like Powerpoint, etc.).
Goals and Objectives of the Course
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
1) Recognize, understand and explain how mythological roots and long-standing cultural narrative traditions affected the development of horror cinema.
2) Recognize, understand and explain how silent horror films created a new visual art form and established aesthetic guidelines for future films in the genre.
3) Recognize, understand and explain the social, cultural and economic impact of the first horror boom of the 1930s on the film industry and society as a whole.
4) Recognize, understand and explain how horror films reflect the social anxieties of various time periods and how changes in style, content and intent reflect changes in cultural value systems and experiences.
5) Analyze film content (narrative and character) and technique (imagery, technology, etc.) in terms of its aesthetic and thematic qualities and express it in both written and oral form.
Assessment Measures
Including but not necessarily limited to:
Midterm and final exams testing hard knowledge and applied knowledge, student presentation projects, analytic essays, reading and screening content quizzes.
Other Course Information
Bibliography:
The Horror Film: An Introduction (New Approaches to Film Genre) by Rick Worland and/or; Horror: The Film Reader by Mark Jancovich (ed) and/or Horror and the Horror Film by Bruce Kawin (ed)
Review and Approval
February 14, 2017