Department of English

Why make a movie from a book? Why read a book if you have seen the movie? Why do remakes? These questions are important to the study of cinema, and they are a great point to begin to understand the singularity and importance of film as a medium. This course begins on familiar ground with films like 12 Monkeys, The Godfather, and Repo Man and progressively complicates and challenges student's understanding of film. We will study adaptation from authors like Russell Banks and Kurt Vonnegut; we will look at multiple adaptations of the same story by different directors; we will read some source novels and short stories complemented by essential critical texts. Criteria for evaluation will include participation, short quizzes, and a final essay.

This course will be taught by Visiting Professor William Van Wert, Laura Carnell Professor of English at Temple University. A multiple nominee for many distinguished literary awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, PEN/Faulkner Award among others, Dr. Van Wert is possibly the most recognized expert on Left Bank, New Wave French film.