What makes for a successful adaptation of a work of literature? Why do we so often hear “the book is better than the film”? How should we read film and other screen adaptations? When is literature cinematic and cinema literary? How far can a film adaptation stray from its literary source before it is no longer recognizable as an adaptation? How do audiences and fan shape “the adaptation industry”?
In this course, we will ask and attempt to answer these questions as we explore literature and film through the lens of adaptation. We will read a range of literary texts—including novels, short stories, comics, and plays—and watch and discuss their film adaptation counterparts. Along the way, we will engage with some of the most important debates and discussions in adaptation studies. Students will have opportunities to hone their skills in writing about film and examine their own prejudices about film adaptation.
Screen adaptations/pairings we will likely explore include: Brokeback Mountain, The Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Whale Rider, Interior Chinatown, The Color Purple.