Film is a modern invention that has arguably transformed the way stories are communicated as well as the way writers and everyday readers view the world around them. This course introduces students to a number of twentieth-century novels and films including, Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness (paired with the film Apocalypse Now), Philip K Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (paired with the film Blade Runner) and Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting. We will closely analyse and evaluate the similarities and differences between these novel/film pairs. In doing so, we will endeavour to understand two fundamentally different forms of storytelling: the one based on print and the other on audio-visual communication. By the end of the course, students will be better able to formulate a response to the following question: what is lost and what is gained in the process of adapting a print narrative to screen?

By the end of this course, you should be able to

1.     identify key elements that distinguish the novel and the film so that you can evaluate the similarities and differences between these narrative forms

2.     think, write and argue about the importance of the novel and film as modern technologies that can transform everyday perception

3.     develop a critical stance on the role that narrative technologies (such as novel and film) play in shaping representations of the modern world

4.     apply theories about narrative and adaptation to specific novel and film texts

Two essays of 2000 words (45%); tutorial attendance/participation (10%). Essays are focused on a novel/film pair. Students are expected to familiarise themselves with theories of adaptation to be convered in lectures and made available in secondary reading material.

One 1.5 hour lecture and 1-hour tutorial per week. Some film screenings. Appoximately 4-6 hours reading/writing time per week.

Any two English courses or Intro to Film Studies FILM1001A/B or FILM1002 and FILM1003.

* Conrad, J, Heart of Darkness