CINEMA IN ENGLISH

This English-taught course is part of the MA course in English, American and Postcolonial Literatures and the Joint Degree in English and American Studies. It offers a multimodal approach to literary classics that have been adapted to films.

The main objectives of the module, in relation to the overall course of study, are as follows:

1) To enhance knowledge and understanding of English history, culture, and literature, particularly in relation to British cinema.
2) To develop a deeper understanding of theoretical approaches and interpretive tools necessary for the comparative analysis of film adaptations of literary texts.

The module will equip students with essential tools to achieve several objectives, including:

1) Analysing literary texts in relation to their film adaptations, comparing the original literary works with their corresponding screenplays and cinematic interpretations.

2) Writing critical commentaries and short essays in English, utilizing the critical-hermeneutical knowledge gained from the module and informed by personal reading of the texts.

3) Studying the specific forms (visual, auditory, synesthetic) through which films adapt literary works.

TTo successfully join this module, certain prerequisites are necessary to ensure that students can effectively follow classes and engage with both the teacher and fellow students.

1. Language Proficiency: A strong command of the English language (C1 level at least) is essential. This is crucial for understanding and discussing the assigned texts and films.

2. Reading Requirements: Students must read the assigned literary texts before classes.

3. Participation: Students will be required to activley discuss the film adaptations in class.

These prerequisites are vital for a fruitful learning experience and active participation in the module.

“Film Adaptation of British Historical Novels, Stories, and Dramas”
In this MA course module, we will analyse three key works of English literature and their cinematic adaptations, exploring the dynamic relationship between literature and film.
Our first focus will be W.M. Thackeray’s “The Memoirs of Barry Lyndon,” a satirical novel set in the eighteenth century and itself an adaptation of the eighteenth-century picaresque. We will then discuss Stanley Kubrick’s film “Barry Lyndon”, examining how the film transforms the narrative through stunning visuals and sound.
Next, we will explore Joseph Conrad’s novella, “The Point of Honour: A Military Tale,” set amidst the Napoleonic Wars. We will discuss Ridley Scott’s adaptation, highlighting the translation of themes from text to screen and the director’s approach to the novella, inspired by Kubrick’s approach to historical movies.
Finally, we will engage with Alan Bennett’s play, "The Madness of George III", and Bennett’s adaptation for the screen for the film, "The Madness of King George", directed by Nicholas Hytner. We will consider a contemporary (late twentieth-century) interpretation of the eighteenth century, which shows, thorugh Bennett's and Hytner's witty works, an ironical interpretation of modern Britain too.

Literary texts:
W.M. Thackeray “The Memoirs of Barry Lyndon” ( https://www.gutenberg.org/files/4558/4558-h/4558-h.htm )
Joseph Conrad, “The Point of Honour”: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/17620/17620-h/17620-h.htm )
Alan Bennett, "The Madness of George III" (Faber & Faber) BALI E8 BEN/Mad

Film Videos:
Stanley Kubrick, “Barry Lyndon” (MGM) dvd or blue-ray
Ridley Scott, “The Duellists” (Paramount) dvd or blue-ray
Nicholas Hytner, "The Madness of King George" (FIlmfour) dvd
(the dvds of the films will be available for consultation at the Cosulich BALI library)

A final, 1 and 1/2 hour-long written exam with questions about all the assigned films and the literary texts.

The test will consist of open-answer questions divided into three parts. Two questions will focus on the texts and films included in the program (aims 1 and 2; see above "Inquadramento"), while the third part will analyse the filmic techniques used in one of the films on the syllabus (aim 3).

Students are permitted to use only a monolingual English dictionary during the exam. The use of smartphones, tablets, and other devices is not allowed.

written

1. The ability to compare literary texts with their respective film adaptations will be assessed through critical commentary in two out of three questions, with a maximum score of 20 out of 30 marks (aims 1 and 2)

2. The capacity to analyse the specific forms (visual, auditory, synesthetic) in which films translate literary works will be assessed in one of the three questions, with a maximum score of 10 out of 30 marks (aim 3).

The grading scale will be divided as follows:
- A score of 6 is considered sufficient in relation to the expected learning outcomes for each section; consequently:
- A score of 7 indicates fair knowledge, ability, and competence.
- A score of 8 represents a good performance.
- A score of 9 signifies a very good performance.
- A score of 10 is considered excellent.

The total scores from all three sections will be combined to determine the final result, which will be out of 30 points.

Lectures, commented screenings, and class discussion, also through Q&A.