Syllabus keep handy for reference
Dr. Aeon J. Skoble
341 Tillinghast, x2460
Email:
askoble@bridgew.edu Web:
http://webhost.bridgew.edu/askoble
Office hours: M 9-10, T,TH 1:45-2:45,
or by appointment
Texts:
The Philosophy of Film Noir, Mark T. Conard, ed. (Univ. Press of
Additional
readings to be distributed in class or via web
For
film viewings, you can either (a) borrow them from your local public library, (b)
rent them at Blockbuster or from Netflix, or (c) buy them at Amazon
Overview and objectives:
The classic period of Film
Noir is generally taken to range from The Maltese Falcon (1941) to Touch
of Evil (1958), in a cycle of films notable for their unusual lighting,
disorienting photography, mysterious characters, sinister plots, and a dark (noir) atmosphere that mirrored concerns
about corruption, crime, and social decadence.
This course is aimed at examining the philosophical roots, and
ramifications, of these films. We will
also consider some films from the neo-noir catalogue, and examine how the
noir legacy was translated to the small screen, with an eye towards their
philosophical dimensions. Some of the
issues involved this semester include: existential themes, issues of values and
nihilism, moral ambiguity, reasoning and detection.
Requirements:
This is a one-credit
class. We will meet once a week to
discuss the readings, and you will write an 8-10 page paper on a topic to be
determined later by mutual agreement, which is due November 30th. In our final meeting, December 7th,
we will discuss the papers.
Required film viewings:
Classic noir You should
watch these as soon as possible, but not later than September 21:
The Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep, Kiss of Death, Laura,
The Postman Always Rings Twice, The Big Clock, Double Indemnity, Touch of Evil
Neo-noir you should watch
these as soon as possible, but not later than Oct 19:
TV Noir selected episodes
(TBA) of Dragnet, Secret Agent, The Fugitive, Miami
Vice
General Outline:
Sept 14 intro to topic;
opening discussion of classic film noir
Sept 21
Sept 28
Oct 5
Oct 13 (NB T=M)
Oct 19 begin discussion of
neo-noir
Oct 26
Nov 2
Nov 9
Nov 16 noir television part
1
Nov 23 noir television part
2; the legacy and future of film noir
Nov 30 -- Papers due; final
discussion of readings
Dec 7 discussion of student
papers