ENGL 616D (01) - Studies in Film/Narrative and Style

Stdy in Film/Narrative & Style

Durham   Liberal Arts :: English
Credits: 4.0
Term: Fall 2021 - Full Term (08/30/2021 - 12/13/2021)
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
Class Size:   25  
CRN: 14926
Advanced, focused study of the narrative, dramatic, and poetic practices of cinema, within one of four possible subject areas: A) Genre; B) Authorship; C) Culture and Ideology; D) Narrative and Style. Precise issues and methods may vary, ranging from general and specific considerations of how a given subject area involves film theory, criticism, and history, to its use in diverse analyses of selected national cinemas, periods, movements, and filmmakers. May be repeated for credit barring duplication of topic. Barring duplication of material taken for credit in CMN 650, course may be repeated for credit. Detailed course descriptions available in the English department office.
Section Comments: Special Topic: Film Noir
Department Approval Required. Contact Academic Department for permission then register through Webcat.
Repeat Rule: May be repeated up to unlimited times.
Equivalent(s): AMST 605, ENGL 616
Only listed campus in section: Durham, Manchester
Attributes: Writing Intensive Course
Instructors: STAFF

Times & Locations

Start Date End Date Days Time Location
8/30/2021 12/13/2021 TR 3:40pm - 5:00pm HS G35
Additional Course Details: 

 

Top 30 Best Neo-Noir Films, Ranked for Filmmakers

Film Noir and Its Legacy

This course explores contemporary and classical film noir in the context of style and narrative.  As critics Paul Schrader and David Desser have pointed out, film noir is not simply a genre but rather a style that is highly adaptable and hence can be found in various film genres in international and contemporary cinemas.  As a style, noir foregrounds a culture of corruption and may be seen as a critical social narrative.  At the same time, noir also involves aesthetic play with light, water, images of the femme fatale, violence, and crime as its essential ingredients.  Our course will cover classical examples such as Double Indemnity (1944) and a variety of contemporary examples foregrounding different issues such as race (Jackie Brown, 1997), gender (Body  Heat, 1981; Fight Club 1999), community, class and social corruption(Chinatown 1974; In Bruges, 2008), corporate/media culture (Point Blank, 1967; Nightcrawler 2014) nationhood and borders (Touch of Evil, 1958; Sicario, 2015; No Country for Old Men, 2007) and contemporary nihilism and dark comedy (The Big Lebowski, 1998; Sin City, 2005).

This course satisfies the Genre requirement for English Literature majors.