The power of horror lies in its ability to evoke strong visceral and emotional responses, provoke thought and introspection, and offer a lens through which to examine the darker aspects of human existence. Spanning from early mythology through 18th and 19th-century Gothic literature to the diverse tapestry of contemporary horror fiction, the genre continues to captivate and resonate with audiences worldwide. In this class, we will explore a variety of genres - a novel, a graphic novel, short stories, and film - to engage with the complexity of contemporary horror. By drawing on feminism, postcolonial studies, queer theory, and other critical frameworks, we will analyse how horror serves as a mirror to sociocultural fears and anxieties surrounding gender and sexuality, race, disability, ecological consciousness, technological advancements, and more. Important: Please note that this course will explore themes and content related to horror fiction. The primary literature includes depictions of violence, gore, psychological distress, antisemitism, racism, and transphobia. These materials will be examined in their historical, cultural, and literary contexts, not for shock value but for critical analysis. Students are encouraged to consider this content carefully when deciding whether to register for the course. We will discuss content warnings and allocate presentation topics in our preliminary session on 13 March, 2026 (10:00-12:00) via Zoom.

Kurs im HIS-LSF