The modern American Horror film, 1968 - 1978

What is the course about?

This online film studies course looks at the modern American horror film in the decade 1968 to 1978, from the emergence of the so-called 'new' Hollywood - characterised by a set of radical institutional and formal developments - at the end of the 1960s, to the end of the 1970s and the industry's adoption of more conservative strategies in relation to prestige production. We will note the increasingly privileged position of the genre within mainstream cinema in addition to its natural home in the low budget sector, one facilitating a new kind of horror film, no longer bound by the Production Code and thus able to explore increasingly transgressive themes and forms of representation, which addressed a changing society and a new, younger audience. We will consider this reconfiguration of the American horror film in the period as one producing new generic forms, such as 'slasher' and satanic possession films, their approach to visual excess ('body horror') and their often confrontational positioning in relation to audiences, while also noting the genre's growing tendency to be accommodated within marginal production contexts towards the close of the decade against the backdrop of mainstream Hollywood's adoption of more inclusive forms. We will also consider a range of critical responses to the modern American horror film and evaluate its legacy for the horror genre in general.

A representative group of films for this course might include the following:
Night of the Living Dead (1968), Rosemary's Baby (1968), House of Dark Shadows (1970), Blacula (1972), The Last House on the Left (1972), The Crazies (1973), The Exorcist (1973), It's Alive (1974), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), Jaws (1975), Shivers (1975), The Stepford Wives (1975), Carrie (1976), The Omen (1976), Eraserhead (1977), The Hills Have Eyes (1977), Rabid (1977), Dawn of the Dead (1978), Halloween (1978), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), The Amityville Horror (1979), Friday the 13th (1980).

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone can be used if you don't have a computer but please note the experience may be less optimal.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

• Key American horror films of the 1970s (both mainstream ‘hits’ and low-budget ‘exploitation’ cult favourites)
• Visual excess in American horror cinema of the 1970s
• Key themes in American horror cinema of the 1970s
• A range of sub-genres in the American horror film of the 1970s
• The production contexts of American horror cinema of the 1970s
• Critical responses to American horror cinema of the 1970s.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• Identify and evaluate key American horror films of the 1970s, their production contexts and cultural ‘position’
• Describe and evaluate visual excess as part of the aesthetic of American horror cinema in the 1970s
• Evaluate a range of themes in American horror cinema of the 1970s (e.g., the ‘family’)
• Identify a range of sub-genres in American horror cinema of the 1970s (e.g., demonic possession, ‘slasher’ and ‘eco’ horror films)
• Describe the American film industry in the 1970s and the way in which this facilitated a new kind of horror film
• Evaluate a range of critical responses to American horror cinema of the 1970s.

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 for other film studies courses at www.citylit.ac.uk/History, Culture and Writing/film studies.