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This course examines shifting representations of the fearful, monstrous and abject in visual culture and popular culture more generally. Emphasis is placed on sociocultural, feminist and postmodern interpretations of horror themes in American, Japanese and New Zealand contexts.
Theme for 2026: The Forms of FearWhat do Goosebumps books, found footage horror, the infamous Grand Guignol Theatre of Paris and Slender Man all have in common? They are all diverse examples of recreational terror – a pleasurable form of fear, in which terror, horror, and suspense can be fun, as well as meaningful and social. This course is interested in the immense diversity of types of scary storytelling, with a particular focus on how different mediums of interest to English and Cultural Studies can leverage, express and represent horror in different eras. We’ll investigate diverse ways of conceptualising horror and related genres, while charting key shifts in horror storytelling across the 20th and 21st centuries. We’ll also explore the opportunities presented through changes in representation, medium specificity, materiality, and technology. Topics will include: horror film; gender and horror; theatre and horror; television anthologies; Indigenous horror; horror literature for young readers; Aotearoa horror web series; horror and technology; creepypasta and digital horror. You will have opportunities to explore your own topics, as well as mediums of interest to you. Please note that this course has an emphasis upon in-person engagement, and is not appropriate for distance learning. Our lectures will be quite hands on and participatory, so students are required to be present and contribute consistently in person to get the most out of the course, and to fulfil participation requirements. Assessments are structured carefully to help you develop the skills you need to succeed in the course. ECHO recordings of lectures will be made available as study resources when available, but these are not a replacement for consistent in-person attendance.
After successful completion of this course, you will be able to: analyse and evaluate different theoretical approaches to horror, including how these have developed over time; make arguments about how genres and different textual forms engage with shared themes in different ways; research, design and produce thoughtful, creative works that communicate varied approaches to cultural texts; apply skills in visual and critical analysis to a range of cultural texts in a variety of contexts; independently devise and undertake research projects on a novel topic; and collaborate meaningfully with others on a variety of creative and scholarly tasks, and reflect on your experiences.
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
Employable, innovative and enterprising
Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.
Globally aware
Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.
Any 30 points at 200 level from CULT or ENGL, orany 60 points at 200 level from the Schedule V of the BA.
AMST313, CULT317, AMST413, ENGL413, CULT417
CULT317
Please note that the 2026 timetable has not been finalised.
Scheduled days and times will be confirmed, following review, on 15th October.
Students must attend one activity from each section.
Erin Harrington
There is no final exam for this course.
(Image: "Tales of Horror 9", licensed under public domain.)
Library portal
Students are advised to note the kinds of themes and images that will be analyzed during this course.
Domestic fee $1,896.00
International fee $8,525.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Humanities .