Horror, Hell, and Monsters

3 units

Whether splashed across our movie screens, sprinkled throughout our political discourses, or embedded within our religious narratives, it feels as though we cannot escape the visceral presence of the horrific. Seemingly belonging to the realm of the fantastical or paranormal, appeals to the monstrous, dangerous, punitive, and grotesque nonetheless haunt our social imaginaries, gesturing toward the inherent instability of our taken-for granted realities. Even when presented as kitschy or campy, these forces of horror move us, act on us, and compel us toward an acknowledgement of what we are — or, perhaps, a realization of what we are not. Through methods of cultural analysis, we will examine how constructions of hell and monstrosity function as archetypes that hold powerful social and political implications in the contemporary United States. We will explore how these constructions can both reinforce and trouble the boundaries between “self” and “other,” operating as forces of discipline as well as disruption. Ultimately, we will consider: How is the “human” created and undone in the presence of the monster, and how might a critical engagement with horror invite us to creatively reimagine our horizons of political and relational possibility? Throughout the semester, we will engage scholarly texts in feminist theory, queer studies, religious studies, and American studies — alongside film, literature, news media, hagiography, and art — as resources and conversation partners. We will turn to these sources to identify and analyze the presence of horror in the everyday through a diverse but overlapping assemblage of frameworks. As a reading-intensive, seminar-style course, this class is driven by student contributions; I encourage you to bring your reflections, experiences, questions, and critiques into the classroom space as opportunities for collective learning.