A detailed study of a particular media genre, or genres, such as film noir, science fiction, horror, the musical.
An introduction to theories of media genres and methods of genre analysis. We will begin with an overview of important questions in media genres, and go on to an in-depth study of the horror genre. We will investigate stylistic, thematic, and historical elements of horror to grapple with the complexities of the genre across media platforms. This paper is ideal both for Film and Media students, and for students in Humanities in general, in particular those studying narrative forms.
| Paper title | Media Genres |
|---|---|
| Paper code | MFCO213 |
| Subject | Media, Film and Communication |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $913.95 |
| International Tuition Fees (NZD) | $4,073.40 |
- Prerequisite
- 18 FIME or MFCO points
- Restriction
- FIME 203
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music
- Notes
- Students may be admitted with approval from the Head of Department.
- Contact
- mfco@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View more information about MFCO 213
- Teaching staff
- Convenor and Lecturer: Dr Paul Ramaeker
- Paper Structure
The paper begins with an overview of genre theory, including its key methods, issues, and debates. The paper then goes on to a theoretical and historical analysis of the horror genre.
Topics include:
- The prehistory of horror as a media genre
- The classical horror film
- Science fiction and horror
- The Gothic
- European horror
- Asian horror
- Art-horror
- The revisionist horror film: horror as a vehicle for social and political critique
- The slasher film
- Television horror
- Postmodern horror
- Digital and online horror
Assessment:
- Tutorial Participation 10%
- Short Essay 15%
- Final Essay 25%
- Final Examination 50%
- Teaching Arrangements
- Two lectures and one screening per week.
- Textbooks
- Readings will be available on Blackboard.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper will
- Describe major developments in genre theory
- Understand important conventions and patterns in horror media both generally and in its historical variants
- Understand the ways that horror media have been studied and interpreted from a variety of theoretical perspectives
- Analyse media genre, and specifically the horror film, drawing on a range of methods
- Understand key theoretical, methodological, and analytical issues raised by the study of media genre in general and horror in particular
