FROM NOVEL TO FILM - 2021/2

Module Overview

This module explores the adaptation of novels into film since the early twentieth century. It introduces students to film language and analysis, to the theory of film adaptation, and then focuses on eight film adaptations of novels written in English since the early twentieth century.

Module provider

School of Literature and Languages

Module Leader

POWRIE Philip (Lit & Langs)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content:

• Weeks 1 and 2: An introduction to film language and analysis.

• Week 3: An introduction to the theories of film adaptation.

• Weeks 4-11: The analysis of eight film adaptations of novels written since the early twentieth century (all available in DVD format from the Library and in TV recordings at https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/).

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate achievement of the module learning outcomes. Short lectures will contextualise the week’s analysis of a novel/film combination. Seminar discussion with ongoing tutor feedback is designed to assess professional/practical skills in communicating ideas orally and transferable skills in working individually and collaboratively. It also assesses subject knowledge relating to formal, contextual, critical, and theoretical approaches to the study of film adaptation. Seminars also assess cognitive/analytical skills in critical thinking and in the analysis of literary and film form and language.

The 4500-word critical essay on two novel/film combinations assesses

• Subject knowledge relating to the close analysis of form, meaning and language of literary and film texts.

• Cognitive/analytical skills in critical thinking.

• Professional/practical skills in communicating ideas in writing.

• Subject knowledge relating to formal, contextual, critical, and theoretical approaches to the study of film adaptations.

• Transferable skills, namely the ability to conduct research for written work in an organised and critical fashion, to develop and communicate imaginative and rigorous arguments, and to develop digital professional skills evidenced by the use of film frame capture incorporated in the analysis.

The summative assessment for this module consists of a critical essay (4500 words).

Formative assessment and feedback:

• In-class workshops on a sequence analysis, for which students will receive informal verbal feedback.

• Written version of the sequence analysis for formative feedback on their writing.

Module aims

• • Develop students’ understanding of twentieth-century English-language novels by exploring their adaptation into film.
• • Enable students to think critically about differences and similarities between novels as source texts and their adaptation into film.
• • Show how a diverse range of literary and visual texts can be read in conjunction in order to advance students’ critical thinking and application of theoretical frameworks to literature and film.
• • Develop and strengthen skills in close reading and analysis of literary and film texts
• • Develop students' skills in audiovisual analysis of film and screen media
• • Improve oral and written communication skills.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to deliver subject knowledge, to develop cognitive/ analytical skills, and to develop in-depth transferable, practical, and professional skills. The delivery of the module through two-hour seminars places an emphasis on student-led learning, and enables students to develop their skills in analysing, communicating, and debating ideas. The module content is research-led and asks students to develop a sophisticated understanding of formal, contextual, critical, and theoretical approaches to the study of film adaptations. This relates to the programme learning and teaching strategy, which, at FHEQ Level 7 is designed to develop subject knowledge through two-hour seminars and to develop transferable and professional skills, with an emphasis on sophisticated student-led involvement, critical analysis and discussion.
The learning and teaching methods: 2-hour lecture/seminar per week x 11 weeks

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ELIM048

Other information

None

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.