HIST 316 Mid-Century Modern LA: From Noir to the Space Age

When we think of the World War II era and its aftermath in Southern California, images of freeways, airy tract homes, and classic Hollywood glamour often jump to mind. If we look a bit deeper, the Zoot Suit Riots, the scandal of Chavez Ravine, the destruction of public transit, and other more complex, and often "noir" images might emerge. Yet beneath both sets of images lie a set of crucial social, demographic, and political changes that marked Los Angeles's emergence as an industrial, as well as cultural, center - changes that put the city on the front lines of many struggles revolving around Civil Rights, housing, and the future of American urbanism itself. In this class, we will explore the sunshine and the noir of mid-twentieth century LA, focusing on the ways cultural forms (such as the Central Avenue Jazz Renaissance, film noir, and modern architecture) crystallize crucial postwar social and political battles within this complex modern metropolis.

Basic knowledge of twentieth century U.S. History is strongly suggested, but may be waived in exceptional circumstances.