The late 1960s witnessed the rise of the modern American horror film, its redefining of the limits of horror being both critically problematic and enormously successful with audiences. This course explores its development through films such as Night of the Living Dead (1968), The Exorcist (1973), and Halloween (1978), its status as a major genre, and a range of critical responses to the films.
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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), 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), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), The Amityville Horror (1979), Friday the 13th (1980).
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 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/the-modern-american-horror-film-1968-783071446The Modern American Horror Film 1968 - 78https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/50-films-HF004-1024.jpg7979GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/American film/Courses/Online courses/Courses/Halloween Courses2285117715802079173117011228511771580<p>The late 1960s witnessed the rise of the modern American horror film, its redefining of the limits of horror being both critically problematic and enormously successful with audiences. This course explores its development through films such as <em>Night of the Living Dead</em> (1968), <em>The Exorcist</em> (1973), and <em>Halloween</em> (1978), its status as a major genre, and a range of critical responses to the films.</p>003071341The Modern American Horror Film 1968 - 787979https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/50-films-HF004-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeSatOnlineAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekend2027-03-06T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allMar 2027Culture, history & humanitiesHF1867979The Modern American Horror Film 1968 - 78635179Jon Wisbeythe-modern-american-horror-film-1968-78/hf186-2627<p>The late 1960s witnessed the rise of the modern American horror film, its redefining of the limits of horror being both critically problematic and enormously successful with audiences. This course explores its development through films such as <em>Night of the Living Dead</em> (1968), <em>The Exorcist</em> (1973), and <em>Halloween</em> (1978), its status as a major genre, and a range of critical responses to the films.</p>0000-Available|2027-03-06 00:00:00<p>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.</p><p>A representative group of films for this course might include the following:<br>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), 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), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), The Amityville Horror (1979), Friday the 13th (1980). <br> </p><p>The late 1960s witnessed the rise of the modern American horror film, its redefining of the limits of horror being both critically problematic and enormously successful with audiences. This course explores its development through films such as <em>Night of the Living Dead</em> (1968), <em>The Exorcist</em> (1973), and <em>Halloween</em> (1978), its status as a major genre, and a range of critical responses to the films.</p><ul><li>Key American horror films of the 1970s (both mainstream ‘hits’ and low-budget ‘exploitation’ cult favourites)</li><li>Visual excess in American horror cinema of the 1970s</li><li>Key themes in American horror cinema of the 1970s</li><li>A range of sub-genres in the American horror film of the 1970s</li><li>The production contexts of American horror cinema of the 1970s</li><li>Critical responses to American horror cinema of the 1970s</li></ul><ul><li>Identify and evaluate key American horror films of the 1970s, their production contexts and cultural ‘position’</li><li>Describe and evaluate visual excess as part of the aesthetic of American horror cinema in the 1970s</li><li>Evaluate a range of themes in American horror cinema of the 1970s (e.g., the ‘family’)</li><li>Identify a range of sub-genres in American horror cinema of the 1970s (e.g., demonic possession, ‘slasher’ and ‘eco’ horror films)</li><li>Describe the American film industry in the 1970s and the way in which this facilitated a new kind of horror film</li><li>Evaluate a range of critical responses to American horror cinema of the 1970s.<br> </li></ul><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 studiesAmerican filmvirtual637951HF186NONESat06/03/27 - 13/03/2710:30 - 13:0010:3013:002 sessions (over 2 weeks)21 to 4 weeksWeekendOnlineOnlineJon WisbeyBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2027-03-06T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeMar 2027Culture, history & humanities7979The Modern American Horror Film 1968 - 78the-modern-american-horror-film-1968-78/hf186-2627<p>The late 1960s witnessed the rise of the modern American horror film, its redefining of the limits of horror being both critically problematic and enormously successful with audiences. This course explores its development through films such as <em>Night of the Living Dead</em> (1968), <em>The Exorcist</em> (1973), and <em>Halloween</em> (1978), its status as a major genre, and a range of critical responses to the films.</p>0000-Available|2027-03-06 00:00:00<p>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.</p><p>A representative group of films for this course might include the following:<br>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), 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), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), The Amityville Horror (1979), Friday the 13th (1980). <br> </p><p>The late 1960s witnessed the rise of the modern American horror film, its redefining of the limits of horror being both critically problematic and enormously successful with audiences. This course explores its development through films such as <em>Night of the Living Dead</em> (1968), <em>The Exorcist</em> (1973), and <em>Halloween</em> (1978), its status as a major genre, and a range of critical responses to the films.</p><ul><li>Key American horror films of the 1970s (both mainstream ‘hits’ and low-budget ‘exploitation’ cult favourites)</li><li>Visual excess in American horror cinema of the 1970s</li><li>Key themes in American horror cinema of the 1970s</li><li>A range of sub-genres in the American horror film of the 1970s</li><li>The production contexts of American horror cinema of the 1970s</li><li>Critical responses to American horror cinema of the 1970s</li></ul><ul><li>Identify and evaluate key American horror films of the 1970s, their production contexts and cultural ‘position’</li><li>Describe and evaluate visual excess as part of the aesthetic of American horror cinema in the 1970s</li><li>Evaluate a range of themes in American horror cinema of the 1970s (e.g., the ‘family’)</li><li>Identify a range of sub-genres in American horror cinema of the 1970s (e.g., demonic possession, ‘slasher’ and ‘eco’ horror films)</li><li>Describe the American film industry in the 1970s and the way in which this facilitated a new kind of horror film</li><li>Evaluate a range of critical responses to American horror cinema of the 1970s.<br> </li></ul><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 studiesAmerican filmconfigurable
20791580American filmhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/film-studies/american-film1/2/285/1177/1580/20791/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/American film
