EAS222H1

Urban Horror: Asian Cities in Crisis

This course surveys the literary and cinematic representations of “urban horror”—a critical framework for understanding the human, sociological, economic, and technological issues related to the process of intense urbanization in postwar Sinophone Asia, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore. From contagious virus to fetus trafficking, and financial crisis to factory worker exploitation, the course features case studies that explore social issues through a range of artistic genres, including science fiction, fantasy and horror, detective fiction, and documentary. Exploring the line between sensational spectacle and political resistance, we excavate a nuanced history and philosophy of Asian horror, connecting aesthetics and politics.