Revised 05/2008

ENG 279 - Film and Literature (3 CR.)

Course Description

Examines the translation of literature into film viewing and writing. Lecture 3 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

The purpose of this course is to acquaint the student with basic concepts of literary and film analysis, through the study of literature and film as related forms of art and cultural expression. 

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

A student must have successfully completed ENG 112 or ENG 125 or equivalent or division approval.

Course Objectives

GOAL ONE: Elements of Style

Students will explore the elements of style in literature and film. By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • identify elements of style in a work of literature
  • identify elements of style in a film

GOAL TWO: Theme

Students will explore themes in literature and film. By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • state the theme of a work of literature or a film
  • analyze relationships between theme and style in works of literature and in films

GOAL THREE: Media and Context

Students will explore the interrelationships between media form and cultural context. By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • examine the effects of adaptation of literature works to film
  • examine the relationship between the cultural context of a work of literature or film and the work itself

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Literary style
    • point of view
    • characterization
    • structure
    • setting
    • symbol
    • language
    • sentence patterns
  • Film style
    • composition
    • editing
    • camera angle and distance
    • camera movement
    • sound and music
    • lighting
    • acting
    • mise en scene
  • Issues in adaptation of literary works to film
  • Cultural contexts for literature and film
    • history
    • economics
    • politics
    • belief systems
    • mythic concepts