Geisterbahn Theory

The Geisterbahn (ghost train) is a horror amusement park ride that exists in a long tradition of horror theater…installation, video, automatons, and illusion used in the service of creating a thrill, a scare. These rides, much like the plays of the Grand Guignol of the 20th century, trot out a variety of horror tropes to excite and amuse their patrons—vampires, mad scientists, killer clowns...

In “Geisterbahn Theory,” we will ride the Geisterbahns in the Prater, doing a “close reading” of what we experience. We will use this research to each write about the Geisterbahn: an essay, study, micro-history, critical analysis, or piece of creative writing. All texts should be written in English. These written works will then be bound together into a master text in which we create a new academic discipline: Geisterbahn Theory! This insane and beautiful book will then be released at the end of the semester. Join us…IF YOU DARE!!!

 

The schedule will be as follows:

Thursday, 04.05.2023 (10:00-12:00) – Intro (2 h)

Thursday, 11.05.2023 (10:00-12:00) – Essay Ideas (2 h)

Saturday, 13.05.2023 (10:00-20:00) – Prater Research Trip (10 h)

Thursday, 25.05.2023 (10:00-12:00) – Rough Drafts (2 h)

Thursday, 01.06.2023 (10:00-12:00) – Revisions, Book Design (2 h)

Thursday, 15.06.2023 (10:00-12:00) – Final Drafts (2 h)

Saturday, 24.06.2023 (17:00-20:00) – Book Release (3 h)