1. Handbook
  2. Subjects
  3. Film Noir: History and Sexuality

Film Noir: History and Sexuality (SCRN30004)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Not available in 2025

You’re viewing the 2025 Handbook:
Or view archived Handbooks
You’re currently viewing the 2025 version of this subject

Overview

FeesLook up fees

This subject offers a close study of the phenomenon of film noir from its precursors in silent cinema, through classical and B film noir, to digital cinema. Film Noir: History and Sexuality will invite students to consider the way in which cultural, political and technological factors influence the aesthetics, narrative form and style of film noir. A key focus of this subject will be the changing representations of gender and sexuality and the challenges posed to regimes of censorship in cinema. Movements studied will include the silent film; German expressionism; classical Hollywood noir; noir revised by New Wave directors (particularly in France and Hong Kong), postmodern noir, post-noir and digital noir in the broader media ecology. Students should complete the subject with an understanding of various approaches to film historiography (including an exploration of archival histories, media archaeologies, intersections of memory and history as well as digital histories), a comprehensive synthesis of noir and its variants and an opportunity to connect theory and practice using digital tools.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

  • Analyse complex approaches to film histories, conceptual frameworks and current debates surrounding the film noir movement across time and film industries;
  • Examine the transformation of the aesthetic, style, and forms of narration specific to film noir, drawing from examples that are inclusive of early cinema, classical narrative film and digital media;
  • Interpret representations of gender and sexuality in film noir drawing from contemporary film theory and gender studies;
  • Synthesise divergent approaches to film historiography, including archival histories, media archaeologies, and digital histories, to construct a comprehensive understanding of film noir's transformation and current state;
  • Apply advanced research methodologies to an examination of noir films that test the limitations of current approaches, and to develop the discipline further;
  • Create digital content that reflects an integration of film noir theory and practice, demonstrating the ability to translate theoretical paradigms into creative interventions.

Generic skills

At the completion of this subject, students should gain the following generic skills:

  • The ability to critically evaluate visual texts in relation to meaning and style
  • The ability to present their ideas in both verbal and written forms at an intermediate level and in conformity with the conventions of academic presentation
  • The ability to participate in group discussion and be sensitive to the contribution of others.

Last updated: 18 January 2026