University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 1

Availability restrictions: Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable: TBC

Horror has been a central genre throughout cinema's history, linking it back to literary roots in the gothic and across other media forms, including television and video games. Waxing and waning through various critical and popular peaks and troughs, horror has never stopped being relevant to the production of film, or to its potential for political and social commentary. Horror has long been a major topic within the discipline of Film Studies, connecting to genre studies and gender as well as questions of violence, taste and ethics on screen. This course will provide a detailed appreciation of horror on screen, addressing both key films and critical texts as well as new developments in the genre. The module will address key questions and definitions (what is horror, and why do we watch, horror on television), explore key cycles and subgenres (monster movies, slasher films, J-horror) and focus on a particular aspect of horror on screen through a detailed case study.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass FM2001 and pass FM2002

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 2-hour seminar, plus screening.

Scheduled learning hours: 55

Guided independent study hours: 245

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 0%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 100%

Re-assessment: Written examination = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr L F Donaldson
Module teaching staff: Dr L Donaldson