Vampires and Zombies and Monsters…Oh My!
October 23, 2008
These professors just might know who – or what – goes bump in the night.
Looking for a spooky Halloween story? Texas Tech University offers a number of
experts to talk about spine-tingling subjects. For more information on these or other
experts, visit experts.ttu.edu.
Zombies and Horror Movies
Rob Weiner, pop-culture guru and horror buff at Texas Tech University, can speak about horror in movies, literature and comic books – his forthcoming book about Captain America actually has an essay on zombies in Marvel Comics – and the use of dark and satanic imagery by heavy metal bands. The associate humanities librarian can be reached at (806) 742-2238 ext. 282, orrob.weiner@ttu.edu.Shopping Frenzy
When it comes to the money Americans will spend on Halloween, it’s downright scary. And the psychology behind the spending fury is as hard to pin down as a ghost in the night, say Texas Tech marketing and retailing experts. Debbie Laverie, a marketing professor, and Tillmann Wagner, assistant professor at the Rawls College of Business, can discuss Halloween’s marketing impact. Laverie can be reached at (806) 742-3953 ordebbie.lavery@ttu.edu. Wagner can be reached at (806) 742-3188 or t.wagner@ttu.edu.Vampires
The sexy vampires of today’s movies are very different from the monsters of eastern European folklore. Jennifer Sunseri, an assistant professor of classical and modern languages, can speak about their origins and their changing image in pop culture. She can be reached at (806) 742-3145 ext. 239, or jennifer.sunseri@ttu.edu.Monsters
From fire-breathing dragons to outer-space invaders, Brian McFadden, assistant professor of medieval literature, says monsters not only give people a good scare, but also reflect what a society fears most. He can be reached at (806) 742-2500 ext. 241, or brian.mcfadden@ttu.edu.Psychology of Fear
What drives humans to watch scary movies or partake in fearful acts? David Rudd, chairman of the Department of Psychology, says our complex brains enjoy the same physiological changes caused by a real threat. He can be reached at (806) 742-3177, or GhostsGenaro J. Perez, professor of Hispanic literature, can speak about ghosts, legends and the devil in Mexican literature. He can be reached at (806) 742-3145 ext. 281, or genaro.perez@ttu.edu.Dia De Los Muertos
Jane Bell, director of special projects for Texas Tech’s International Cultural Center, can speak about modern beliefs, decorations and objects associated with Dia de los Muertos. She has experienced the ceremonies in Mexico and helps organize the Lubbock Dia de los Muertos procession each year. She can be reached at (806) 742-2974, or jane.bell@ttu.edu.