Explore the horror film through a range of key films, concepts and critical accounts of the genre. We will consider its history and development, from its beginnings to the present day, the ways in which different production contexts, such as American, European and East Asian horror cinemas, have given rise to variations in the genre, and the approach to theme and style in the films themselves.
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This online film studies course explores a range of ways of approaching and thinking about the horror film and will consider key themes, concepts and critical accounts of the genre as a means through which to do so. We will also look at the ways in which horror cinema has been understood as a 'problem' genre and the censorship issues arising from this, but, paradoxically, how it has always found an audience, often dedicated to the genre, and its current status as a major box office attraction. The course will also explore a range of production contexts, past and present, including classical and post-classical Hollywood, British and European cinema, and East Asian cinema, and the various forms of the genre that have emerged within each of these. In addition to critical responses to the horror film, we will also be thinking about its popular reception with audiences, and, relatedly, the genre's tendency to generate sequels and 'spin-offs'.
We will be looking at a range of examples of the horror film, from early, silent films, such as The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1919), Nosferatu, a Symphony of Horror (1922) and The Phantom of the Opera (1925), to classics of early sound horror cinema, including Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931) and Vampyr (1932), reimaginings and remakes, such as The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) and Dracula (1958), cult classics such as Eyes Without a Face (1960) and Night of the Living Dead (1968), along with shockers such as The Exorcist (1973), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), Suspiria (1977), Halloween (1978), The Evil Dead (1981), Ring (1998), Dark Water (2002) and The Grudge (2002), that took the genre in new directions. We will also consider the contemporary horror film, as a successful, mainstream phenomenon, for example, Scream (1996) Insidious (2010) and other examples such as [REC] (2007), Let the Right One In (2008) and Get Out (2017), which prove that the genre is here to stay.
What will we cover?
• The horror film and the concept of genre • Themes and concepts in horror cinema (e.g., gender and 'the return of the repressed') • Critical accounts of horror cinema - but also popular responses, and the concept of horror audiences • The history and development of the horror film • Key films and filmmakers in horror cinema • Film style and the horror film • Production contexts(e.g., the US, Britain, Europe and East Asia) • 'Remakes' and series/franchise horror cinema.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Understand the horror film in terms of genre • Evaluate a range of themes and concepts in horror cinema • Evaluate a range of critical accounts of horror cinema, and a range of popular responses and the concept of a horror audience • Describe the history and development of the horror film • Identify and evaluate key films and filmmakers • Describe and evaluate film style and the horror film • Evaluate a range of production contexts and their impact on the development of the horror film • Evaluate a phenomenon of remakes and series/franchise horror cinema.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course will provide an introduction to the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge in the subject area.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Screenings of extracts from films, talks by the tutor, reading materials, small and large group discussions. It might also be a good idea to see what you can find out about the subject in advance of the class but this is not essential.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please look also for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.
Jon Wisbey teaches film at City Lit and Morley College. He was for many years a committee member and vice-chair of Chelmsford Film Club, screening contemporary and classic world cinema releases. He has an MA in Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. His teaching focuses on classical and post-classical Hollywood, European cinema, British cinema, film noir and horror cinema.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/exploring-horror-cinema2490142Exploring horror cinemahttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/art-history-cinema-HF347-1024.jpg139139GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Introductory & general/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Courses/vm/Halloween Courses/Courses/Halloween Courses/Courses/Online courses2285117715481580134821701173112285117715801653<p>Explore the horror film through a range of key films, concepts and critical accounts of the genre. We will consider its history and development, from its beginnings to the present day, the ways in which different production contexts, such as American, European and East Asian horror cinemas, have given rise to variations in the genre, and the approach to theme and style in the films themselves.</p>003071374Exploring horror cinema139139https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/art-history-cinema-HF347-1024.jpgInStockEveningWedOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2027-02-24T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allFeb 2027Culture, history & humanitiesHF205139139Exploring horror cinema13990139Jon Wisbeyexploring-horror-cinema/hf205-2627<p>Explore the horror film through a range of key films, concepts and critical accounts of the genre. We will consider its history and development, from its beginnings to the present day, the ways in which different production contexts, such as American, European and East Asian horror cinemas, have given rise to variations in the genre, and the approach to theme and style in the films themselves.</p>0000-Available|2027-02-24 00:00:00<p>This online film studies course explores a range of ways of approaching and thinking about the horror film and will consider key themes, concepts and critical accounts of the genre as a means through which to do so. We will also look at the ways in which horror cinema has been understood as a 'problem' genre and the censorship issues arising from this, but, paradoxically, how it has always found an audience, often dedicated to the genre, and its current status as a major box office attraction. The course will also explore a range of production contexts, past and present, including classical and post-classical Hollywood, British and European cinema, and East Asian cinema, and the various forms of the genre that have emerged within each of these. In addition to critical responses to the horror film, we will also be thinking about its popular reception with audiences, and, relatedly, the genre's tendency to generate sequels and 'spin-offs'.<br><br>We will be looking at a range of examples of the horror film, from early, silent films, such as The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1919), Nosferatu, a Symphony of Horror (1922) and The Phantom of the Opera (1925), to classics of early sound horror cinema, including Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931) and Vampyr (1932), reimaginings and remakes, such as The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) and Dracula (1958), cult classics such as Eyes Without a Face (1960) and Night of the Living Dead (1968), along with shockers such as The Exorcist (1973), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), Suspiria (1977), Halloween (1978), The Evil Dead (1981), Ring (1998), Dark Water (2002) and The Grudge (2002), that took the genre in new directions. We will also consider the contemporary horror film, as a successful, mainstream phenomenon, for example, Scream (1996) Insidious (2010) and other examples such as [REC] (2007), Let the Right One In (2008) and Get Out (2017), which prove that the genre is here to stay.</p><p>Explore the horror film through a range of key films, concepts and critical accounts of the genre. We will consider its history and development, from its beginnings to the present day, the ways in which different production contexts, such as American, European and East Asian horror cinemas, have given rise to variations in the genre, and the approach to theme and style in the films themselves.</p><p>• The horror film and the concept of genre<br>• Themes and concepts in horror cinema (e.g., gender and 'the return of the repressed')<br>• Critical accounts of horror cinema - but also popular responses, and the concept of horror audiences<br>• The history and development of the horror film<br>• Key films and filmmakers in horror cinema<br>• Film style and the horror film<br>• Production contexts(e.g., the US, Britain, Europe and East Asia)<br>• 'Remakes' and series/franchise horror cinema.</p><p>• Understand the horror film in terms of genre<br>• Evaluate a range of themes and concepts in horror cinema<br>• Evaluate a range of critical accounts of horror cinema, and a range of popular responses and the concept of a horror audience<br>• Describe the history and development of the horror film<br>• Identify and evaluate key films and filmmakers<br>• Describe and evaluate film style and the horror film<br>• Evaluate a range of production contexts and their impact on the development of the horror film<br>• Evaluate a phenomenon of remakes and series/franchise horror cinema.</p><p>The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course will provide an introduction to the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge in the subject area.</p><p>Screenings of extracts from films, talks by the tutor, reading materials, small and large group discussions. It might also be a good idea to see what you can find out about the subject in advance of the class but this is not essential.</p><p>You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.</p><p>Please look also for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesIntroductory & generalvirtual13913990HF205NONEWed24/02/27 - 24/03/2718:45 - 20:3018:4520:305 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksWeekdayOnlineOnlineJon WisbeyBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2027-02-24T00:00:00+00:00EveningFeb 2027Culture, history & humanities139139Exploring horror cinemaexploring-horror-cinema/hf205-2627<p>Explore the horror film through a range of key films, concepts and critical accounts of the genre. We will consider its history and development, from its beginnings to the present day, the ways in which different production contexts, such as American, European and East Asian horror cinemas, have given rise to variations in the genre, and the approach to theme and style in the films themselves.</p>0000-Available|2027-02-24 00:00:00<p>This online film studies course explores a range of ways of approaching and thinking about the horror film and will consider key themes, concepts and critical accounts of the genre as a means through which to do so. We will also look at the ways in which horror cinema has been understood as a 'problem' genre and the censorship issues arising from this, but, paradoxically, how it has always found an audience, often dedicated to the genre, and its current status as a major box office attraction. The course will also explore a range of production contexts, past and present, including classical and post-classical Hollywood, British and European cinema, and East Asian cinema, and the various forms of the genre that have emerged within each of these. In addition to critical responses to the horror film, we will also be thinking about its popular reception with audiences, and, relatedly, the genre's tendency to generate sequels and 'spin-offs'.<br><br>We will be looking at a range of examples of the horror film, from early, silent films, such as The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1919), Nosferatu, a Symphony of Horror (1922) and The Phantom of the Opera (1925), to classics of early sound horror cinema, including Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931) and Vampyr (1932), reimaginings and remakes, such as The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) and Dracula (1958), cult classics such as Eyes Without a Face (1960) and Night of the Living Dead (1968), along with shockers such as The Exorcist (1973), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), Suspiria (1977), Halloween (1978), The Evil Dead (1981), Ring (1998), Dark Water (2002) and The Grudge (2002), that took the genre in new directions. We will also consider the contemporary horror film, as a successful, mainstream phenomenon, for example, Scream (1996) Insidious (2010) and other examples such as [REC] (2007), Let the Right One In (2008) and Get Out (2017), which prove that the genre is here to stay.</p><p>Explore the horror film through a range of key films, concepts and critical accounts of the genre. We will consider its history and development, from its beginnings to the present day, the ways in which different production contexts, such as American, European and East Asian horror cinemas, have given rise to variations in the genre, and the approach to theme and style in the films themselves.</p><p>• The horror film and the concept of genre<br>• Themes and concepts in horror cinema (e.g., gender and 'the return of the repressed')<br>• Critical accounts of horror cinema - but also popular responses, and the concept of horror audiences<br>• The history and development of the horror film<br>• Key films and filmmakers in horror cinema<br>• Film style and the horror film<br>• Production contexts(e.g., the US, Britain, Europe and East Asia)<br>• 'Remakes' and series/franchise horror cinema.</p><p>• Understand the horror film in terms of genre<br>• Evaluate a range of themes and concepts in horror cinema<br>• Evaluate a range of critical accounts of horror cinema, and a range of popular responses and the concept of a horror audience<br>• Describe the history and development of the horror film<br>• Identify and evaluate key films and filmmakers<br>• Describe and evaluate film style and the horror film<br>• Evaluate a range of production contexts and their impact on the development of the horror film<br>• Evaluate a phenomenon of remakes and series/franchise horror cinema.</p><p>The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course will provide an introduction to the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge in the subject area.</p><p>Screenings of extracts from films, talks by the tutor, reading materials, small and large group discussions. It might also be a good idea to see what you can find out about the subject in advance of the class but this is not essential.</p><p>You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.</p><p>Please look also for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesIntroductory & generalconfigurable
15481580Introductory & generalhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/film-studies/introductory-general1/2/285/1177/1580/15481/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Introductory & general
