Film noir can be characterized by visual techniques like low-key lighting and unbalanced compositions. Plots focus on crimes, and murder is a common element. (Photo by leah8691 on Flickr. CC-BY-NC-SA.)
Instructor(s)
Dr. Martin Marks
MIT Course Number
CMS.S61
As Taught In
January IAP 2012
Level
Undergraduate
Course Description
Course Features
Course Description
This class explores the development of Hollywood Film Noir. There will be a focus on émigré directors who moved to Hollywood when the Nazis rose to power. Assignments will include short response papers about three of the films in the series, and reports by students on examples of "neo-noir" films from recent decades.
This course is offered during the Independent Activities Period (IAP), which is a special 4-week term at MIT that runs from the first week of January until the end of the month.