Department of English

European empires in Asia and Africa lasted through the first half of the 20th century and were seductive to Europeans in a number of ways. Besides political and economic power, the lands of empire offered picturesque landscapes, exotic peoples, and the promise of adventure. Underneath these attractions lay the realities of cultural conflict, anti-colonial revolt, and hostile climates. Novelists recorded both the attractions and the repulsions of empire, and subsequent movie versions of novels exploited the cinematic potential of exotic scenery and dramatic conflict. This course will compare imperial and postcolonial texts to their film versions. Possible works include The Man Who Would Be King, Passage to India, Lawrence of Arabia, Mister Johnson, Out of Africa, Staying On, The Quiet American, and The Year of Living Dangerously. Written work will include frequent short analytical papers, essay/reviews of films, and a research paper comparing a novel to its movie version.