PHIL135
Fall 2009
Philosophy of Film Noir

Here is the course syllabus.

Check back periodically for additional readings or information.

For Monday Oct 19, please be sure to read Holt's essay on neo-noir in your book (starts on p. 23) and Richard Gilmore's essay on Chinatown, here.  (If the pdf shows sideways, click "view" and then rotate counterclockwise.)  You should be sure you've seen, minimally, Chinatown, Body Heat, and No Way Out.

For Monday Oct 26, be sure you have seen the film A Simple Plan, and read this essay on it, from The Philosophy of Neo-Noir (also edited by Conard).  (If the pdf shows sideways, click "view" and then rotate counterclockwise.)

For Monday Nov 2, be sure you have seen the Tarantino films Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs.  For reading: in the Philosophy of Film Noir book, review the section on Tarantino in Holt's essay (pp. 35-37), and read Conard's essay on Pulp Fiction (starts on p. 125).  Also, read Conard's essay on Reservoir Dogs from The Philosophy of Neo-Noir.  (If the pdf shows sideways, click "view" and then rotate counterclockwise.)

For Monday Nov 9, be sure you have seen the original theatrical release of Blade Runner, and read this essay.  (If the pdf shows sideways, click "view" and then rotate counterclockwise.)   Also, remember to get started on picking a paper topic.

For Monday Nov 16, read these two essays by Prof. Sanders from The Philosophy of TV Noir, which he and I co-edited - the first is a general essay about noir television, which discusses many different shows, and the second is his essay from the book on Miami Vice.   The three episodes I want you to be sure to have seen are "Heart of Darkness," "No Exit," and "Evan."  Optionally, if you have the time, I recommend the pilot, "Brother's Keeper."   For viewing: Hulu seems to have the first 4 seasons available for free streaming, but for some reason they do not have the rights to "Evan," so you'll have to watch that some other way.  One option is the video on demand service at Amazon.  They have all of season one, including "Evan."  Alternatively, I know the Bridgewater Public Library has some of the Miami Vice DVD sets, so you could borrow that.  I suggest you watch the Miami Vice episodes before reading Sanders' essay on the show, but you can and probably should read the other essay first and as soon as possible.  For further enrichment, watch any episodes of any of the other shows he discusses in that essay, some of which are available at Hulu, others on Amazon or Netflix.

For Monday Nov 23, read this essay on The Fugitive. (If the pdf shows sideways, click "view" and then rotate counterclockwise.)  I will post specific episode viewings in a day or two, but in the meantime watch any episodes that you can.