Film Adaptations of American Literature 3301-LA2229

Knowledge
Students will have familiarity with:
K_W01 advanced terminology, theory and research methods corresponding to the state of the art in the disciplines of literary studies and culture and region studies within the domain of English Studies

Abilities
Students will be able to:
K_U01 apply advanced terminology, theory and research methods corresponding to the state of the art in the disciplines of literary studies and culture and film studies within the domain of English Studies
K_U08 apply the concepts and principles of intellectual property protection and copyright law

Social competences
Students will be ready to:
K_K01 critically appraise their knowledge and content obtained from various sources
K_K02 recognize the importance of knowledge in solving cognitive and practical problems; consult experts when required

*** Applies to students who began their studies in the year 2022/2023 ***

Knowledge
Students will have familiarity with:
K_W02 advanced terminology, theory and research methods corresponding to the state of the art in the discipline of linguistics, in accordance with their chosen specialization (and educational path) within the domain of English Studies
K_W03 advanced descriptive grammar of English
K_W05 historical development of the English language and its variability in different areas of language description, at an advanced level
K_W07 advanced structures, lexis and conventions of spoken and written English
Abilities
Students will be able to:
K_U01 apply advanced terminology, theory and research methods corresponding to the state of the art in the disciplines of literary studies and culture and region studies within the domain of English Studies
K_U02 apply advanced terminology, theory and research methods corresponding to the state of the art in the discipline of linguistics, in accordance with their chosen specialization (and educational path) within the domain of English Studies
K_U04 analyze at an advanced level literary works in connection with historical and cultural processes
K_U11 use modern technology to acquire knowledge and communicate through a variety of communication channels and techniques
Social competences
Students will be ready to:
K_K02 recognize the importance of knowledge in solving cognitive and practical problems; consult experts when required
K_K03 fulfill social obligations, co-organize activities for the benefit of the social environment
K_W08 concepts and principles concerning the protection of intellectual property and copyright

- 3-4 film analyses
- final essay
- attendance (3 absences are allowed / 20% of absences are allowed)
Retake: final essay on a DIFFERENT topic

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the classroom is governed by the rules set forth in Resolution No. 16 of the Teaching Council for the programs English Studies, English Studies – Linguistics, and English Studies – Literature and Culture of 9 December 2025 (chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https:/drive.usercontent.google.com/download?id=1wKaGcMrfFe5GaziQgxXkHS1e6t9TvQcB&authuser=0&acrobatPromotionSource=gdrive_chrome-list).

Kamilla Elliott, “Novels, Films, and the Word/Image Wars,” in A Companion to Literature and Film, edited by Robert Stam and Alessandra Raengo. Blackwell Publishing, 2004.
Thomas Leitch, Film Adaptation and Its Discontents from Gone with the Wind to The Passion of the Christ. The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2007.
Linda Hutcheon, A Theory of Adaptation. Routledge, 2006.
“Adaptation and Mis-adaptations Film, Literature, and Social Discourses,” in A Companion to Literature and Film, edited by Robert Stam and Alessandra Raengo. Blackwell Publishing, 2004.
F. Scott Fitzgerald. The Great Gatsby. Cambridge University Press, 1991.
The Great Gatsby. Directed by Jack Clayton, performances by Robert Redford, Mia Farrow, and Bruce Dern, Paramount Pictures, 1974.
The Great Gatsby. Directed by Baz Luhrmann, performances by Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, and Carey Mulligan, Warner Bross, 2013.
Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence. Oxford University Press, 2006. (1-5 chapters)
The Age of Innocence. Directed by Martin Scorsese, performances by Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Winona Rider, Columbia Pictures, 1993.
Eugenides, Jeffrey. The Virgin Suicides. Picador, 1993.
The Virgin Suicides. Directed by Sofia Coppola, performances by James Woods, Kathleen Turner, A J Cook, Kirsten Dunst, and Josh Hartnett, Paramount Pictures, 1999.
Anne Proulx, “Brokeback Mountain,” from Close Range, Wyoming Stories. Scribner, 1999.
Brokeback Mountain. Directed by Ang Lee, performances by Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Linda Cardellini, River Road Entertainment, 2005.
Tony Kushner, Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. Theatre Communications Group, 2013.
Angels in America. Directed by Mike Nichols, performances by Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, and Emma Thompson, HBO, 2003-2004.
Bibliography:
Bordwell, David. Narration in the Fiction Film. The University of Wisconsin Press, 1985.
---. The Way Hollywood Tells It: Story and Style in Modern Movies. University of California Press, 2006.
Bordwell, David, and Kristin Thompson. Film Art: Introduction. McGraw Hill, 2010.
Boswell, Parley Ann. Edith Wharton on Film. Southern Illinois University Press, 2007.
Braudy, Leo, and Cohen Marshall. Film Theory and Criticism. Oxford, 2009.
Grant, Barry Keith. Film Genre: From Iconography to Ideology. Wallflower, 2007.
Miller, Toby, and Robert Stam. A Companion to Film Theory. Blackwell, 2004.
Paryz, Marek, and Leo R. John, editors. The Post-2000 Film Western Contexts, Transnationality, Hybridity. Palgrave Macmillan, 2015.
Slethaug, Gordon. Adaptation Theory and Criticism: Postmodern Literature and Cinema in the USA. Bloomsbury, 2014.
Stam, Robert, and Alessandra Raengo, editors. A Companion to Literature and Film. Blackwell Publishing, 2006.
Villarejo, Amy. Film Studies: The Basics. Routledge, 2007.
Williams, Linda Ruth, and Michael Hammond, editors. Contemporary American Cinema. McGraw Hill, 2006.