Department of English

In this course, we will witness the transformation of some great works of literature into fabulous visual spectacles. We will discuss the meanings, motives and consequences of adapting literature to film, words to the cinematic image, as artistic and social endeavors. More importantly, we will discuss the ways in which we may think and write about this process. Indeed, you will be required to adapt, as it were, your critical impressions of these works to the genres of the journal entry, the film review and the critical essay. Course requirements also include oral presentations on an assigned topic and a serious attitude about the significance of literature and film. Readings may include Coppola's adaptations of Conrad's Heart of Darkness (Apocalypse Now) and Bram Stoker's Dracula, Milos Forman's cinematic staging of Peter Shaffer's Amadeus, Akira Kurosawa's spectacular revision of Shakespeare's King Lear (Ran), among other magnificent works of literature and film.