Autumn 2003
Cara Lane
COURSE MATERIALS
Syllabus
Calendar
Assignments
STUDENT WORK
Abstracts
Final Projects
Film Adaptations of
British Literature
11:30-1:20
Instructor:
Film
adaptations of British literary works have been popular since the early
years
of cinema. Therefore, many film adaptations have become just as
well-known as
the literary sources on which they are based. In the case of some
works, such
as Frankenstein and A Christmas Carol,
various film versions exert more cultural infleunce
than
their printed counterparts. This class examines the interconnections
between
films and books, focusing on the theory and practice of film
adaptation. It
places these materials in dialogue in order to enhance
understanding of both media. Assignments
involve completing close readings of books and
films, giving oral presentations, applying adaptation theory, and
designing a
film adaptation. This is a computer-integrated course. Class sessions
alternate
between a computer lab and a seminar-style classroom. Web design
is a component of several assignments (basic design
skills will be taught in class). There
will be three or more evening film screenings.
You will be
using the computers in the LAN for group discussions, to draft papers,
to keep a
record (in your individual folder) of your written work, and to
complete your
final project. You will need to put in
time and
effort early in the quarter in order to become comfortable with the
computer skills necessary for success in this class.
You will also need to attend to the following requirements.
We will be using Microsoft Word as our word
processing program. If you choose to use any other word processing
program, you are responsible
for learning how to convert your assignments into Word format prior
to the due date. Be sure to consult the CIC Student Guide or
see
me if you have questions about how to do this.
We will be using Netscape Composer as our web
editor. You are required to use this program for group web projects,
but you are not
required to use this program for your final project.
In order to
complete assignments for this class, you may need to use the LAN
outside of class hours. Hours when the LAN is open for use by students
enrolled in CIC classes are posted in the LAN. You
cannot use
the LAN during the breaks between scheduled classes.
Frankenstein,
Broadview, ISBN:
1551113082 (UW Bookstore)
Heart of
Darkness, Norton, ISBN:
0393955524 (UW
Bookstore)
A
Christmas Carol,
An
IBM-formatted high-density disk (available in the LAN for $1)
An active
A stapler
Pen and paper
(to be brought to class everyday)
Participation: 20%
Papers: 30%
Final Project: 35%
Presentations:
You will complete two formal presentations
during the quarter: an analysis of a film or critical article not
covered in class and an introduction to your final project.
Papers: Papers
consist of an abstract of a critical article, analyses of two
adaptations, and a proposal
for your final project. These papers will be posted on the class web
site.
Participation: Active, thoughtful participation is
important to
your success in this course. This involves being fully prepared for
class each day and being willing to share your ideas. Activities that
contribute to this portion of your grade include discussions, journal
writing, short research projects, informal presentations, quizzes, and
other class exercises.
- Presentations: 1/2 credit if first presentation is
completed within
a week of its due date. No credit after one week. No credit for late
final
presentations.
- Papers: 0.2 grade deduction for each day late. This
penalty includes weekends and days when the class does not meet. Penalties begin to accrue immediately at the
time the paper is due (if a paper is due at the beginning of class, it
is counted as one day late if it is turned in later in the class
period). In the event of an emergency
(malfunctioning printers and failure to save your paper do not count),
I can modify these penalties. Please email
me immediately if you have an emergency.
- Class Activities: You
receive no credit if you miss these activities. You
cannot make up activities that you miss.
Plagiarism: According to university and departmental
policy, plagiarism—broadly defined as passing someone else’s work off
as your own—constitutes grounds for failure of the assignment in
question, possible failure of the course, or even suspension from the
university. Save all drafts of papers, reports, projects, and your
reading notes. I may ask to see evidence of your writing process at any
time. If you are having so much difficulty writing that you are tempted
to use someone else’s work, you should come and talk to me—we can work
together to overcome any writing difficulty you are experiencing.
Office
Hours: I will be
in my office Wednesdays from
.