Colloquium Lecture to Focus on Popularity of Zombie Films
Tue, 10/28/2014 - 09:40am
The second lecture of The University of Southern Mississippi's Anthropology and Sociology Colloquium is perfect for Halloween. Dr. Todd Platts will present “How Hollywood Got the Dead to Lay Golden Eggs: The Rise of the Zombie Blockbuster.” Free and open to the public, this event will be held Thursday, Oct. 30 at 12:15 p.m. in the Liberal Arts Building, room 108.
Platt, a visiting assistant professor in the university's Department of Anthropology and Sociology, will discuss how zombies have become big business and explore the rationale behind Hollywood's recent embrace of the zombie blockbuster. While zombies are no more successful than other varieties of modern horror, this lecture finds it more appropriate to see zombies as a new staple of big budget horror films.
Dr. Ann Kinnell, chair of the department, believes the topic of this lecture is more relevant than ever, based on trends in pop culture. “Given the record-setting number of people who tuned in to see the season premiere of ‘The Walking Dead' and our continued fascination as a society with all things zombie, the topic is definitely both interesting and timely,” Kinnell said.
Kinnell also thinks this lecture series is of much significance to the department and can also help any student or faculty member learn more about anthropology and sociology.
“Over the last four years, the Anthropology and Sociology Colloquium has showcased the research of faculty, invited speakers, and students both graduate and undergraduate. It is an excellent venue for audiences to gain a broader understanding of the breadth of anthropological and sociological research," Kinell said.
For more information about this series, contact the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at 601.266.4306 or visit http://artsandlettersnow.usm.edu.