Newswise — Working on a Halloween-related story? USC experts have studied the aerodynamics of bats, the appeal of vampires and the role of horror in literature and film. Here is a list of experts for stories pegged to scary topics:
1) Emily Anderson, assistant professor of English, can talk about the role of vampires in young adult fiction and the appeal of such stories to adolescents. Anderson is well versed in the Stephanie Meyers "Twilight" book series, which is about vampires.
3) Leo Braudy, professor in English and American Literature, has taught a course for many years called "The Monster and the Detective." The monsters include Wolfman, Dracula, Freddy Krueger and Jason. He's also a contributor to the newly-published book, "The Book of Lists: Horror." 4) Joseph A. "Drew" Casper, professor of critical studies at USC School of Cinematic Arts, can talk about horror film genres.
2) Judith Halberstam, a professor of English, American Studies and Ethnicity, and Gender Studies, has researched popular gothic cultures of the 19th and 20th centuries from Frankenstein and vampires to contemporary horror film. One of her published works is "Skin Shows: Gothic Horror and the Technology of Monsters."
6) Edwin McCann, professor of philosophy, is an expert in existentialism, Kant and Descartes. He's also an expert in magic and occultism in the 17th century.
5) Geoffrey Spedding, professor with USC Viterbi School of Engineering has done studies on the aerodynamics of bats.
7) David Sloane is an associate professor at USC who has expertise in the history of cemeteries and burial places, as well as roadside shrines.
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