FILM NARRATIVE (SEMINAR)

Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor.

This course will examine the noir tradition in American film between 1941 and 1959. We begin with noir's origins in two turn-of-the-century literary works about Empire, Inc and the divided self of the modern era, Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" and Stevenson's " Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde". We will consider the international roots of Hollywood noir, many of whose directors were European refugees from Hitler, and its depictions of the femme fatale, l'homme fatale, and the world métropole, particularly NYC and LA. Readings will include Marxist, postcolonial, and gender theory, and film history. Films will include "The Killers", "Double Indemnity", "The Big Heat", "The Lodger", "Gilda", "Sunset Blvd", "Sweet Smell of Success", and "Vertigo".

Application instructions: Email Professor Ann Douglas (ad34@columbia.edu) with the subject heading "Film Noir application". In your message, include basic information: your name, school, major, year of study, and relevant courses taken, along with a brief statement about why you are interested in taking the course. Admitted students should register for the course; they will automatically be placed on a wait list, from which the instructor will in due course admit them as spaces become available.