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FS30270

Academic Year 2026/2027

Irish Horror & Spec Film (FS30270)

Subject:
Film Studies
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
English, Drama & Film
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Emma Radley
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

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.

About this Module

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.

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

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
Participation in Learning Activities: At the end of each class, students will complete a short written response to or reflection on the material covered in that session. Students must complete a minimum of five over the trimester. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
10
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Students will act as a primary respondent for in-class discussion of ONE weekly case study (of their choice). Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10 Graded No
10
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Sequence Analysis Exercise: students will write sequence analyses of two films from weeks 2-6. Week 7 Graded No
40
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Final Assignment: Essay OR Creative Project Week 14 Graded No
40
 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.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Film Screening Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Mon 09:00 - 10:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 10:00 - 11:50
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