Course Description: "The age of media," Friedrich Kittler writes in Gramophone, Film, Typewriter," renders indistinguishable what is human and what is machine, who is mad and who is faking it." This course will take up this proposition by examining theoretical accounts of psychosis drawn from psychoanalysis and media theory in dialogue with the representation of psychosis in art and mall films, ranging from the lonely streets and dead ends of film noir to the dark spaces of science fiction. The techno-delusional systems and discourse networks of psychosis mark in theory and in film the ambiguous intersection of the human and post human (cyborg), madness and media, urban space and architecture, peace and war, and gender and (homo)sexuality. We will focus on how the theory and films under discussion both illuminate and resist each other. Some attention will also be paid to psycho-Marxism, particularly the work of Frederic Jameson on postmodern architecture. Readings to include Jacques Derrida on telepathy; Sigmund Freud, writings on Schreber, psychosis, and the uncanny; Jacques Lacan, writings on psychosis and the Lapin sisters; Friedrich Kittler, selections from Discourse Networks and Gramophone, Film, Typewriter; selections from Laurence A. Rickels' Nazi Psychoanalysis and essays in Psycho-Marxism; Avital Ronell, The Telephone Book; and selections from Dr. Daniel Schreber, Memoirs of My Mental Illness. Films to include Kenneth Anger, Scorpio Rising; Craig Bierko, The Thirteenth Floor; David Cronenberg, Videodrome; David Fincher, Fight Club; Terry Gilliam 12 Monkeys (a remake of Chris Marker, La Jettee); Alfred Hitchcock, Psycho; David Lynch, Blue Velvet and Lost Highway; Mark Pellington, Mothman Prophecies; Alex Proyas, Dark City (with Keifer Sutherland as Dr. Daniel Schreber); Ridley Scott, Bladerunner; and Edgar G. Ulmer, Detour. PLEASE NOTE: This will be a very demanding course. The readings are very challenging and difficult, and many of the films may be disturbing. All films will have to be viewed outside of class.

Note: All parts of the final project must be completed and turned in on time for you to receive credit. All parts of the course must be completed and turned in on time to pass the course.