Contents

FILM 225 Film Noir

This course will explore the literary and cinematic world of film noir, a critical term that refers to certain American films of the 1940s and 1950s and to American detective fiction of the same period, so called roman noir. The class will examine classic, cinematic examples of the genre of film noir, read a number of canonical detective novels, and investigate the historical context out of which the fiction and films emerged.

Credits

3

Hours Weekly

3 hours weekly

Course Objectives

  1. 1. Develop a general knowledge of film noir and American history from the 1940s to the present.
  2. 2. Identify running themes in film noir.
  3. 3. Discuss the classic themes used by film noir directors.
  4. 4. Analyze the use of lighting and mood used in film noir movies.
  5. 5. Distinguish different cinematic styles and genres based on the cultural models created throughout the
    post-war period of the film noir era.
  6. 6. Discuss the styles of the most important and influential film noir directors.
  7. 7. Compare and contrast films and literary works from this area and place them in their cultural setting.

Course Objectives

  1. 1. Develop a general knowledge of film noir and American history from the 1940s to the present.
  2. 2. Identify running themes in film noir.
  3. 3. Discuss the classic themes used by film noir directors.
  4. 4. Analyze the use of lighting and mood used in film noir movies.
  5. 5. Distinguish different cinematic styles and genres based on the cultural models created throughout the
    post-war period of the film noir era.
  6. 6. Discuss the styles of the most important and influential film noir directors.
  7. 7. Compare and contrast films and literary works from this area and place them in their cultural setting.