English 237 – Film & Lit

Class Viewings/ Readings

  • Jan 24th–The Matrix, Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind & “Allegory of the Cave” by Plato
  • Jan 29th–Surrealist Experimental Films & Writing about Film
  • Feb 5th–The Hobbit (Movie Tie-In) [Paperback] ISBN: 0547844972.
  • Feb 26th–10 Things I Hate About You & The Taming of the Shrew (No Fear Shakespeare) [Paperback] ISBN: 141140100X.
  • Mar 11th–Girl, Interrupted, Memoir by Susanna Kaysen ISBN: 0679746048.
  • Apr 8th–Cemetery Man (Italian title: Dellamorte Dellamore) & I am Legend by Matheson ISBN: 031286504X.
  • Apr 22th–The Watchmen, graphic novel by Alan Moore ISBN: 0930289234
  • May 7th–culminating project presentations

English 237 focuses on the interrelationships between film and literature, particularly novels which have been adapted for screen, this course explores the different worlds created by cinema and the written word.  Students will watch films, read/write critical responses, investigate works in panel groups, and participate in open lectures on multiple questions concerning these often varied and sometimes competing media.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the successful completion of this course, students will be able to
1.     Identify strengths and limits of film media’s ability to communicate and to tell stories.
2.     Interpret film and literature.
3.     Demonstrate an understanding of basic complexities of adaptation.
4.     Write about film and literature in terms of historical, ideological, formalist, auteur, and/or genre approaches.
5.     Demonstrate familiarity with films that have been adapted from literature

Assessment–reading/viewing (semi-weekly) quizzes via Angel, group presentation(s), class contribution/attendance, & culminating project.