The fallen woman is a recurrent character that appears in many guises throughout the history of narrative. In this course we will explore how and why the fallen woman in her various manifestations has had such a prominent role in literature and film across different cultures and epochs. From Eve to the wily courtesan, from the adulteress, to the femme fatale of hard-boiled films, she is a figure that often reveals more about society than anyone else. At the same time, by virtue of being "fallen" she is usually on the fringes. Outside society, and outside morality, she lacks a recognizable social role. This situation provides her character with a fascinating and paradoxical point of view that allows her to see through society's self-conception. We will read several great works of literature and watch some of the classic films in which the fallen woman is the central character and in which her unique perspective is highlighted. Authors will include Cervantes, Balzac, Flaubert, Maupassant, Hawthorne, Wharton, James, Proust, and Rodoreda. We will watch films directed by, among others, Renoir, Bunuel, Mizoguchi and Pasolini. Additional reading will be drawn from historical and critical works. All readings in English. Format: tutorial. Requirements: meetings between the instructor and each pair of students will take place once a week. Each student will write a 5- to 7-page paper every other week to which his partner will formally respond during our meeting. Prerequisites: any literature course at Williams or permission of instructor. Enrollment limit: 10 (expected: 10). (Cultural Studies)