Horror Writers

Why do some of us love reading scary novels or watching scary movies? What is it about the horror genre that can be exciting, disgusting, captivating, and terrifying all at the same time? And just how did the horror genre develop in the first place and who are some of the masters of that craft? In this course, students will explore the roots of horror literature, beginning with the Gothic tradition in the 19th century and continuing through to modern examples of horror in both literature and film. The course begins by building a definition of the genre and exploring the nature of fear and how it is used in horror literature. With these shared understandings, we will explore some of the seminal works of the genre and its most iconic characters: the monsters made famous in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Students will then read and analyze stories from such masters as Washington Irving and Edgar Allan Poe, again seeking to understand both the psychology and literary techniques employed to terrify the reader. We will then switch our focus to an entirely different brand of horror, that of H. P. Lovecraft. Students will try their hand at writing a creative piece in the style of one of the authors we have studied. As the course moves into the 20th-century, we will delve into the world of perhaps the greatest contemporary horror writer, Stephen King. And in the final weeks of the course, students will explore a 20th-century horror novel, choosing to read either Stephen King’s Carrie or Robert Bloch’s Psycho, and then watch and evaluate the film adaptation of the novel.

Acknowledgements

Please Note: This course contains an end-of-course proctored exam. Instructions for students to identify an appropriate adult proctor are included in the course lessons.

Required Texts: This course requires students to obtain copies of certain texts. Details provided in the Additional Requirements field of this course description.

Mature Themes: It is not possible to study the horror genre without content that is sometimes graphic and upsetting. Some stories include scenes of violence, sex, other mature content, and plots that may be disturbing and frightening.

Course Objectives

Students will analyze how horror literature reflects both societal and individual fears.
Students will evaluate some of the reasons why humans choose to read stories and watch films that scare them.
Students will identify, analyze and apply techniques horror writers use to create fear, suspense and/or terror in their readers.
Students will write in a wide variety of genres, including a creative short story and a literary essay.

Additional Requirements

Materials: Most materials will be available online. Students will need to obtain a copy of either Carrie or Psycho as well as the film version of their chosen novel.