2008 Woodie Awards
Scared to go to class?
Jason Keener
Issue date: 3/17/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Like horror movies? This May, JSU's got the class for you.
The Horror Film, EH1221, a class created by Dr. Steven Whitton, will meet from 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday in the media room of the International House.
In the class, eager movie buffs can learn about archetypes that Whitton associates with horror films. These include the usual suspects of the genre like the undead, the freak, the manmade monster and the double, like Jekyll and Hyde.
"We're going to look at those in various social and historical contexts," Whitton explains.
The primary focus of the class will be the horror films of the 1930's and 40's, like James Whale's "Frankenstein" and Tod Browning's "Freaks."
Students will then learn what the example films reflect about the social fabric of the country at the time.
Whitton is also considering a look at Hitchcock's "Psycho," which he believes is at the top of the legendary filmmaker's masterpieces.
"I'm also toying with the idea, just for fun, of looking at Mel Brooks' 'Young Frankenstein,'" he said.
Students will take on projects focusing on the archetypes mentioned earlier and their roles in the modern horror films of their choice.
So why does JSU offer a class devoted to scary movies?
The English department has always encouraged its staff to create special courses for the May term. Dr. Whitton, who occasionally teaches The Art of Film, decided to share his love of cinema and create what could become an ongoing series of specific film courses.
He plans to introduce a new film class every May. He decided to start things off with The Horror Film because he believes the genre will interest the broadest range of people.
If the class goes well, he will bring the format back next May, but the focus will be different.
Instead of exploring the creepy world of monsters and madmen, for example, the next class may study the dazzling world of musicals or the dusty landscapes of westerns.
So what exactly is Dr. Whitton's favorite horror film?
"Oh, it might surprise you," he grins. "I'm very fond of an old black and white film called 'The Haunting.'" He refers to the original 1963 version directed by Robert Wise, which was remade in 1999.
He adds, "What I like about it is that we get to participate in it. We don't see what we think we see, but we invent it for ourselves and that's where real horror lies, I think."
The Horror Film, EH1221, a class created by Dr. Steven Whitton, will meet from 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday in the media room of the International House.
In the class, eager movie buffs can learn about archetypes that Whitton associates with horror films. These include the usual suspects of the genre like the undead, the freak, the manmade monster and the double, like Jekyll and Hyde.
"We're going to look at those in various social and historical contexts," Whitton explains.
The primary focus of the class will be the horror films of the 1930's and 40's, like James Whale's "Frankenstein" and Tod Browning's "Freaks."
Students will then learn what the example films reflect about the social fabric of the country at the time.
Whitton is also considering a look at Hitchcock's "Psycho," which he believes is at the top of the legendary filmmaker's masterpieces.
"I'm also toying with the idea, just for fun, of looking at Mel Brooks' 'Young Frankenstein,'" he said.
Students will take on projects focusing on the archetypes mentioned earlier and their roles in the modern horror films of their choice.
So why does JSU offer a class devoted to scary movies?
The English department has always encouraged its staff to create special courses for the May term. Dr. Whitton, who occasionally teaches The Art of Film, decided to share his love of cinema and create what could become an ongoing series of specific film courses.
He plans to introduce a new film class every May. He decided to start things off with The Horror Film because he believes the genre will interest the broadest range of people.
If the class goes well, he will bring the format back next May, but the focus will be different.
Instead of exploring the creepy world of monsters and madmen, for example, the next class may study the dazzling world of musicals or the dusty landscapes of westerns.
So what exactly is Dr. Whitton's favorite horror film?
"Oh, it might surprise you," he grins. "I'm very fond of an old black and white film called 'The Haunting.'" He refers to the original 1963 version directed by Robert Wise, which was remade in 1999.
He adds, "What I like about it is that we get to participate in it. We don't see what we think we see, but we invent it for ourselves and that's where real horror lies, I think."