ENG2886: Literature and Film
Jane Eyre as 19th c proto-feminist to 21st c demon-slayer
Summer Session I 2016 | TR 6:00pm-9:00pm | Writing Center
Instructor Contact Information:
Dr. Pearl Chaozon Bauer
[email protected]
Office Hours:
By appointment
St. Joseph Rm. 114
Course Description
This course examines the interaction between film and literary texts, utilizing the
character of Jane Eyre as a focal point. During the summer, we will consider what
happens when a variety of novelists and directors adapt the character of Jane Eyre for
varied reasons. We will also consider the cultures out of which the texts come: does it
make a difference if a work was written in 1847, 1966 or 2010 and filmed in 1914, 1952,
or 2011? In addition, we will analyze a variety of genres from Romantic to Post-colonial,
from Gothic to the horror. In comparing a variety of films and literature, including some
from other cultures, it is important to understand that what some individuals may find
offensive, others will find commonplace. A film that might have been banned in the U.S.
ten years ago might have played widely in commercial theatres in other countries. On that
note, we will be dealing with a variety of literary works and films, from this country and
elsewhere, and some materials may include violence, obscene language, occasional
nudity, or vivid images.
This course will be useful to anyone who has an interest in learning more about literature,
film, history, and culture; how the written word is translated to the screen; how the
written word in another language is translated (first in print, then to the screen); and the
cultural and historical aspects of adaptation. The course may also be useful to those who
have an interest in directing, screenwriting, photography, cinematography, illustration,
acting, and graphics.
No background in film studies is needed for this course. You will, however, be asked to
look at and think about films more reflectively than some of you have in the past. We will
read about and view the films from a variety of perspectives; your responses to these
texts and close viewing and reading of the texts will be important components of this
class and our discussions. In addition to these conversations, you will have an
opportunity to write a film review for your first paper, to explore one aspect of adaptation
in your second paper and to discuss the intersection between film and literary studies in
your final paper.
Course Objectives
1) To become familiar with the difference between film and literary texts;
2) To become familiar with ways of "reading" novels and films;
3) To become more skilled in discussing and evaluating movie and literary texts;
4) To develop greater skills in visual literacy;
5) To examine novels and film as a reflection of cultures and periods of history;
6) To increase your knowledge of narrative development in literature and film.
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Student Learning Outcomes
1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the elements involved in adapting texts
to film;
2. Students will demonstrate analytical skills in visual literacy and reading filmed texts;
3. Students will demonstrate a familiarity with ways of discussing and evaluating films as
reflections of cultures and source texts.
Alignment with the NDNU Mission
The NDNU Mission states that NDNU is a diverse and inclusive learning community that
challenges each member to consciously apply values and ethics in his or her personal,
professional and public life.
In this class, students will participate in a community invested in discussing and
analyzing films beyond the surface level of narrative or character. This collaborative
effort will honor the dignity and sacredness of each person and embrace diversity. In
doing so, we will develop a holistic learning community which will educate for life
(hallmark #7).
Credit Hour Policy
Students are expected to spend the following number of hours on homework for this
class: Class Time (40 hours); Readings (50 hours); Film viewings (20 hours); Written
assignments (25 hours); Study for Midterm (5 hours).
Required Texts & Other Materials
Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre (ISBN: 978-0141441146)
Sherri Browning Erwin, Jane Slayre (ISBN: 978-1439191187)
Jean Rhys, Wide Sargasso Sea (ISBN: 978-0393310481)
Course Reader
Writing Assignments
You will write three major types of papers:
1. Essay #1: A film review
2. Essay #2: An essay on adaptation
3. Essay #3: An essay on the intersection of literature and film
You will receive detailed written instructions for each graded assignment. Essays may
include a graded component for process (drafts, prewriting, peer review, etc) or a revision
option. All essays will be peer reviewed in class, and will be discussed with me prior to
the final draft.
Papers are due at the beginning of the class for which they are assigned. You will
submit your three papers via Turnitin.com as well as a hard copy to me. Late papers
will not be accepted except under extraordinary circumstances. Also, keep an
electronic copy of all out-of-class writing until the end of the semester.
Grading
Your final course grade will be based on the following:
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Essay 1: 15%
Essay 2: 20%
Essay 3: 25%
Midterm: 10%
Journal Responses: 10%
Class participation: 10%
Attendance: 10%
You must submit ALL required work to receive credit for this course.
In addition to the above percentages, failure to fulfill a requirement, whether an entire
paper or your Writing Center requirements, will have a devastating effect on your grade.
Journal Responses
These responses are designed to enhance your engagement with the readings and the
films, prepare you for class discussions, and provide the bases of essay assignments. You
should write typed responses before class as you read and watch the assigned works. Be
sure to quote the text and refer to specific passages, citing page numbers. To receive
credit, you must submit your journals on the day of the class discussion. (Late
submissions will not receive credit.) During class discussion, you should write
additional notes in the margins or back of the paper. These submissions should be at least
two pages in length. (Note: if you must be absent, you may email me your journal
responses before class to receive credit.)
Attendance & Class Participation
Students are expected to attend class regularly; if you must be absent, you should find out
from a classmate what work you have missed and what new assignments may have been
made. The final grades of students with more than two class absences will be lowered.
The final grades of students with perfect attendance will be raised.
Plagiarism
In no case will plagiarism (i.e., copying materials from books or the Internet) be
tolerated. Whenever you consult a source, whether you quote from it or not, you should
supply a Works Cited page at the end of your paper, following MLA rules of
documentation.
Electronic Devices
Please turn off all electronic devices before class begins; texters will be counted absent!
Students with Learning Disabilities
Please let me know at the beginning of the semester if you have a learning disability so I
can make appropriate accommodations.
Schedule of Readings and Assignments
T May 17: Introduction (Femslash Friday; Film clips; Essays on film and adaptation)
R May 19:
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Novel: Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, chapter 1-9 (90pp)
Essay: Louis Giannetti’s Understanding Movies, chapter 1
Film: The Autobiography of Jane Eyre: A V-log (2013-14)
T May 24:
Novel: Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, chapter 10-20 (163pp)
Essay: Joseph Boggs (ed)’s The Art of Watching Films, chapter 13: adaptations
Film: Rebecca (1940)
R May 26:
Novel: Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, Chapter 21-26 (88pp)
Essay: George Bluestone’s Novels into Films, chapter 1: limits of the novel and the film
Film: Jane Eyre (1961)
T May 31:
Novel: Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, Chapter 27-end (178pp)
Film: Jane Eyre (2011)
R June 2: ESSAY ONE DUE
Novel: Jean Rhys’ Wide Sargasso Sea, Part I (48pp)
Film: Ardente Secreto (1978)
T June 7:
Novel: Jean Rhys’ Wide Sargasso Sea, Part II-III (124pp)
Film: Wide Sargasso Sea (1993)
R June 9: Midterm Exam
Film: Sangdil (1952)
T June 14:
Excerpt: Sherri Browning Erwin’s Jane Slayre
Film: I Walked with a Zombie (1943)
R June 16: ESSAY TWO DUE
Excerpt: Tara Bradley’s Jane Eyre’s Husband
Film: The Master of Thornfield (1915)
T June 21:
Excerpt: Claire Moise’s Adele, Grace and Celine: The Other Women of Jane Eyre
Theatrical Production: Jane Eyre: The Musical (2000)
R June 23:
Excerpt: Karena Rose’s Jane Eyrotica
T June 28:
Excerpt: Kay Woodward’s Jane Airhead
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Film: The Autobiography of Jane Eyre: A V-log (2013-14)
R June 30: ESSAY THREE DUE
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