English

Zombie films make up one of the longest living sub-genres of horror though representations of zombies have evolved from exoticized monstrous figures from Haiti to cannibalistic brain eaters and eventually to infectious bodies carrying epidemics. This course explores the evolution of zombies from studio pictures starring Bela Lugosi to B-movies featuring fighting ninjas and murdering cheerleaders through to modern film zombies who look uncannily like the unconscious bored populace and/or become loving family pets. Zombies are never simply undead; they always reflect something about our changing lives and fears. These films also permit us to explore the murky spaces between high and low culture, the history and development of horror films as a genre, and the aesthetics of fear. NOTE: Students can obtain credit for only one of ENGL 3908 and FILM 3908.