ENGH 419: Topics in Popular Literature

ENGH 419-001: Popular Horror
(Fall 2025)

04:30 PM to 05:45 PM MW

Music Theater Building 1004

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Section Information for Fall 2025

This fall: POPULAR HORROR

Debuting this fall! What is "popular horror" and why is horror popular, anyway? Focusing mainly on fiction and film (+ your terrifying campfire stories, if you have some), we'll talk about how horror works, how and why it's so transgressive, and why people want and maybe even need horror in their lives. I'll organize the class around a few different kinds of popular horror, such as ghost stories, vampires, possessions (demonic and otherwise), and technology and the occult (including found footage). This class will be global in scope and you can expect discussions of gender, sexuality, queerness, race, disability, trauma, creepy houses, creepy nuns, creepy dolls, and more. Meets at dusk. What better way to spend your autumn?

Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Studies specific topic or theme in popular literature. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different with permission of department. Offered by English. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: Satisfaction of University requirements in 100-level English and in Mason Core literature.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.