FS30270 Irish Horror & Spec Film

Academic Year 2024/2025

This module examines the seemingly sudden appearance of horror and speculative fiction as hugely popular genres in Irish cinematic production, from the turn of the 21st century to the present day. Why has there been such an interest in horror and dystopia among Irish filmmakers during this period? Many scholars, critics, and theorists have argued for the importance of these genres as a cultural barometer, asserting that they skilfully explore social anxieties, especially during periods of radical change. Since the 1990s, Ireland has been in flux: from prosperity to austerity, emigration to immigration, religiosity to secularism, pastoralism to climate crisis. The times seem ripe for an explosion of dystopic imaginings. In this module, we’ll consider the social, cultural, formal, and critical contexts not only of individual horror and speculative fiction films, but of the turn towards these genres more broadly.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

1. Students will have an understanding of the key cultural and production contexts for the emergence of Irish horror and speculative film, from the 1990s to the present day.
2. Students will be exposed to a range of critical approaches to the genre.
3. Students will be able to synthesise key ideas and themes into an informed critical framework in their final piece of work.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

44
Specified Learning Activities

76
Autonomous Student Learning

100
Total

220
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Seminars will include short introductory lectures on the weekly topic, with the remainder of the class time spent on discussing the set texts and ideas as a class, and in smaller groups. Students will give short in-class presentations. Writing exercises throughout the semester, including scene analyses and the opportunity for more creative assignments. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Student Negotiated or Choice of Assessment: Writing exercise - choice of options, critical and creative. Week 4 Graded No

20

 No
Student Negotiated or Choice of Assessment: Writing exercise - choice of options, critical and creative. Week 8 Graded No

20

 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Essay Plan - short proposal and consultation on final essay. Week 9, Week 10 Graded No

10

 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Final Essay Week 14 Graded No

50

 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Harvey O'Brien Lecturer / Co-Lecturer