Department of English

Genre films have largely dominated the history of cinema. Whether Horror, Romantic Comedy, Westerns, Sports drama, or a Superhero movie, genre films (from the French for “type”) rely on a set of narrative conventions that audiences learn to expect and recognize. Yet genre films also thrive by overturning expectations to surprise viewers all the more. Over the decades, Hollywood film has seen the rise and fall of many genres—along with an increasingly heightened sense of awareness about its own history and generic conventions. In this course, we will explore a multiplicity of film genres and interrogate their histories, makeup, and evolution across different eras. What kind of cultural/personal/political/aesthetic work do these genres do for us and for their respective moments? Why are we drawn to some and repelled by others? Our weekly discussions will be supplemented by brief essays on genre theory and sample analyses. Genres may include: Horror, Romantic Comedy, Western, War/Combat, Melodrama, Film Noir, Action, Documentary, Gangster, Satire, Superhero, etc. Assignments will consist of rapid reaction posts, an oral presentation, a midterm reflection paper, and a final exam.