FILM3315 · Fine Arts
Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
We will explore the history of the enigmatic Hollywood style from its origins in German Expressionism and Hard Boiled Fiction through its classic era, and finally into its rebirth as revisionist neo-noir in the 1970s. The course will examine how American social and political history factored into noir's sudden appearances, and study theoretical concepts of genre, space, gender, and self-perception. Directors include Wilder, Tourneur, Aldrich, Altman, Polanski, and Lynch.
Course experience
Averages use the original five-point historical evaluation scale.
Organization
4.8 / 5
How well the course was organized
Challenge
4.6 / 5
How intellectually challenging students found it
Attendance
4.8 / 5
How necessary attendance was
Assignments
4.7 / 5
How helpful assignments were
Weekly effort
~3
hours per week
Estimated from the original workload response buckets. Individual sections may differ.
Instructor options
Ratings below reflect the evaluations connected to this course.
Across time
Available section-level results across semesters.
Fall 2024
1 sectionFall 2022
1 sectionSpring 2021
1 section