AIMS
This English-taught course is part of the MA course in English, American and Postcolonial Literatures and the Joint Degree in English and American Studies. It offers a multimodal approach to literary classics that have been adapted to films.
The main objectives of the module, in relation to the overall course of study, are as follows:
1) To enhance knowledge and understanding of English history, culture, and literature, particularly in relation to British cinema.
2) To develop a deeper understanding of theoretical approaches and interpretive tools necessary for the comparative analysis of film adaptations of literary texts.
PREREQUISITES
To successfully join this module, certain prerequisites are necessary to ensure that students can effectively follow classes and engage with both the teacher and fellow students.
1. Language Proficiency: A strong command of the English language (C1 level at least) is essential. This is crucial for understanding and discussing the assigned texts and films, adn for passing the relevant eam.
2. Reading Requirements: Students must read the assigned literary texts and watch the corresponding films before classes.
3. Participation: Students will be required to activley discuss the film adaptations in class.
These prerequisites are vital for a fruitful learning experience and active participation in the module.
PROGRAM
“Film Adaptation of British Historical Novels, Stories, and Dramas”
In this MA course module, we will analyse three key works of English literature and their cinematic adaptations, exploring the dynamic relationship between literature and film.
Our first focus will be W.M. Thackeray’s “The Memoirs of Barry Lyndon,” a satirical novel set in the eighteenth century and itself an adaptation of the eighteenth-century picaresque. We will then discuss Stanley Kubrick’s film “Barry Lyndon”, examining how the film transforms the narrative through stunning visuals and sound.
Next, we will explore Joseph Conrad’s novella, “The Point of Honour: A Military Tale,” set amidst the Napoleonic Wars. We will discuss Ridley Scott’s adaptation, highlighting the translation of themes from text to screen and the director’s approach to the novella, inspired by Kubrick’s approach to historical movies.
Finally, we'll consider two humorous parodies of eighteenth-century stories: "The Madness of King George" by Nicholas Hytner, adapted by Alan Bennet from his own play, "The Madness of George III"; and "A Cock and Bull Story" by Michael Winterbottom, adapted freel from Laurence Sterne's "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman".
Students will be required to read Thackeray's "The Memoirs of Barry Lyndon" and Conrad's "The Point of Honour" (or "The Duel" in the UK version) and watch Kubrick's "Barry Lyndon", Scott's "The Duellists", Hytner's "The Madness of King George", and Winterbottom's "A Cock and Bull Story". See the "Reading list" below.
READING LIST
Literary texts:
-W.M. Thackeray “The Memoirs of Barry Lyndon” ( https://www.gutenberg.org/files/4558/4558-h/4558-h.htm )
-Joseph Conrad, “The Point of Honour”: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/17620/17620-h/17620-h.htm )
Film Videos:
-Stanley Kubrick, “Barry Lyndon” (MGM) dvd or blue-ray
-Ridley Scott, “The Duellists” (Paramount) dvd or blue-ray
-Nicholas Hytner, "The Madness of King George" dvd
-Michael Winterbottom, "A Cock and Bull Story" dvd
(the dvds of the films will be available for consultation at the Cosulich BALI library)
Theories of adaptation:
-Materials (such as powerpoints or pdf's) will be uploaded on the moodle pages of this module as a support to lessons devoted to theory.
EXAM
A final, 1 and 1/2 hour-long written exam with questions about all the assigned films and the literary texts.
The test will consist of open-answer questions divided into two parts. The first part will be focused on the general aspects of film adaptation; students will be asked either to write a short essay or answer open questions on a relevant topic concerning adaptation theories (aim 1; see above ""Inquadramento""). The second part of the exam will comprise questions on the texts and films included in the program; students will also be asked to write two short essays on both novels-films (aims 2 and 3).
Students are permitted to use only a monolingual English dictionary during the exam. The use of smartphones, tablets, and any other device is not allowed.
GRADES
1. The ability to discuss the general aspects of film adaptation will result in maximum score of 10 out of 30 marks (aim 1)
2. The to compare literary texts with their respective film adaptations will be assessed with a maimum score of 20 out of 30 (aims 2 and 3).
The grading scale will be divided as follows:
- A score of 6 is considered sufficient in relation to the expected learning outcomes for each section; consequently:
- A score of 7 indicates fair knowledge, ability, and competence.
- A score of 8 represents a good performance.
- A score of 9 signifies a very good performance.
- A score of 10 is considered excellent.
The total scores from all three sections will be combined to determine the final result, which will be out of 30 points. A praise (lode) will be added to particularly excellent papers.
SCREENINGS
Commented screenings of the films will be organised with the students once the module has started (if rooms are available).
This English-taught course is part of the MA course in English, American and Postcolonial Literatures and the Joint Degree in English and American Studies. It offers a multimodal approach to literary classics that have been adapted to films.
The main objectives of the module, in relation to the overall course of study, are as follows:
1) To enhance knowledge and understanding of English history, culture, and literature, particularly in relation to British cinema.
2) To develop a deeper understanding of theoretical approaches and interpretive tools necessary for the comparative analysis of film adaptations of literary texts.
PREREQUISITES
To successfully join this module, certain prerequisites are necessary to ensure that students can effectively follow classes and engage with both the teacher and fellow students.
1. Language Proficiency: A strong command of the English language (C1 level at least) is essential. This is crucial for understanding and discussing the assigned texts and films, adn for passing the relevant eam.
2. Reading Requirements: Students must read the assigned literary texts and watch the corresponding films before classes.
3. Participation: Students will be required to activley discuss the film adaptations in class.
These prerequisites are vital for a fruitful learning experience and active participation in the module.
PROGRAM
“Film Adaptation of British Historical Novels, Stories, and Dramas”
In this MA course module, we will analyse three key works of English literature and their cinematic adaptations, exploring the dynamic relationship between literature and film.
Our first focus will be W.M. Thackeray’s “The Memoirs of Barry Lyndon,” a satirical novel set in the eighteenth century and itself an adaptation of the eighteenth-century picaresque. We will then discuss Stanley Kubrick’s film “Barry Lyndon”, examining how the film transforms the narrative through stunning visuals and sound.
Next, we will explore Joseph Conrad’s novella, “The Point of Honour: A Military Tale,” set amidst the Napoleonic Wars. We will discuss Ridley Scott’s adaptation, highlighting the translation of themes from text to screen and the director’s approach to the novella, inspired by Kubrick’s approach to historical movies.
Finally, we'll consider two humorous parodies of eighteenth-century stories: "The Madness of King George" by Nicholas Hytner, adapted by Alan Bennet from his own play, "The Madness of George III"; and "A Cock and Bull Story" by Michael Winterbottom, adapted freel from Laurence Sterne's "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman".
Students will be required to read Thackeray's "The Memoirs of Barry Lyndon" and Conrad's "The Point of Honour" (or "The Duel" in the UK version) and watch Kubrick's "Barry Lyndon", Scott's "The Duellists", Hytner's "The Madness of King George", and Winterbottom's "A Cock and Bull Story". See the "Reading list" below.
READING LIST
Literary texts:
-W.M. Thackeray “The Memoirs of Barry Lyndon” ( https://www.gutenberg.org/files/4558/4558-h/4558-h.htm )
-Joseph Conrad, “The Point of Honour”: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/17620/17620-h/17620-h.htm )
Film Videos:
-Stanley Kubrick, “Barry Lyndon” (MGM) dvd or blue-ray
-Ridley Scott, “The Duellists” (Paramount) dvd or blue-ray
-Nicholas Hytner, "The Madness of King George" dvd
-Michael Winterbottom, "A Cock and Bull Story" dvd
(the dvds of the films will be available for consultation at the Cosulich BALI library)
Theories of adaptation:
-Materials (such as powerpoints or pdf's) will be uploaded on the moodle pages of this module as a support to lessons devoted to theory.
EXAM
A final, 1 and 1/2 hour-long written exam with questions about all the assigned films and the literary texts.
The test will consist of open-answer questions divided into two parts. The first part will be focused on the general aspects of film adaptation; students will be asked either to write a short essay or answer open questions on a relevant topic concerning adaptation theories (aim 1; see above ""Inquadramento""). The second part of the exam will comprise questions on the texts and films included in the program; students will also be asked to write two short essays on both novels-films (aims 2 and 3).
Students are permitted to use only a monolingual English dictionary during the exam. The use of smartphones, tablets, and any other device is not allowed.
GRADES
1. The ability to discuss the general aspects of film adaptation will result in maximum score of 10 out of 30 marks (aim 1)
2. The to compare literary texts with their respective film adaptations will be assessed with a maimum score of 20 out of 30 (aims 2 and 3).
The grading scale will be divided as follows:
- A score of 6 is considered sufficient in relation to the expected learning outcomes for each section; consequently:
- A score of 7 indicates fair knowledge, ability, and competence.
- A score of 8 represents a good performance.
- A score of 9 signifies a very good performance.
- A score of 10 is considered excellent.
The total scores from all three sections will be combined to determine the final result, which will be out of 30 points. A praise (lode) will be added to particularly excellent papers.
SCREENINGS
Commented screenings of the films will be organised with the students once the module has started (if rooms are available).
- Teacher: Flavio GREGORI