Murder. Madness. Witchcraft. Demons. Vampires. Cannibals. Zombies. What can students gain from exploring such gruesome and disturbing topics? And why focus on bestsellers rather than the literary “classics”? After some initial resistance from faculty (yes, that still happens), my proposed sophomore-level course on popular horror fiction was approved and is up and running. The students, perhaps not surprisingly, have been less resistant—in fact, they have been almost unanimously enthusiastic so far. They do all of the reading (a victory in itself!) and are for the most part ready and willing to delve into discussions of sociopolitical subtext and cultural significance. Still, there are sensitive and controversial areas that need to be navigated carefully. Of particular concern to today’s students are the genre’s longstanding “traditions” of victimizing women and pathologizing sexual difference, as well as the implied critiques of such revered institutions as marriage, family, and religion. This presentation will offer practical ideas for instructors interested in teaching popular horror fiction, including ways to address skepticism about its legitimacy as an academic subject, strategies for dealing with controversial subject matter that encourage critical thinking and reflection, and texts and writing assignments that work.
About the presenterBrian Patrick Riley
Brian Patrick Riley is a professor of English at Anne Arundel Community College. He teaches American Literature, Popular Horror Fiction, and Academic Writing and Research. His interests include 19th- and 20th-century American fiction, 20th-century drama, film, and adaptation studies.