Modiwl LXI-3011:
Adaptations in European Cinema
Adaptations in European Cinema 2022-23
LXI-3011
2022-23
School Of Arts, Culture And Language
Module - Semester 1 & 2
20 credits
Module Organiser:
Silvia Bergamini
Overview
During this course you will be introduced to issues relating to the re-use of tradition through the study of adaptations and/or recreations of literary texts, historical events or historical figures in Spanish and Italian cinema. You will thus become familiar with the socio-historical and ideological concerns that characterise contemporary Spain and Italy and you will reflect on the importance of film as a cultural medium.
Primary sources: Films - Luchino Visconti's 'Ossessione' (1943) - L. Comencini's 'Le avventure di Pinocchio' (1973) - Francesco Rosi, 'Carmen' (1984) - Carlos Saura, 'Carmen' (1983) - Film and literary adaptions of the myth of Pygmalion, including George Cukor's "My Fair Lady" (1964) - David Trueba, 'Soldados de Salamina' (2003)
Primary sources: Texts ** Compulsory reading materials (including short primary sources and required critical reading for seminars) will be made available via Blackboard. In the case of novels, the students are expected to read them in advance of the relevant class(es). - Collodi, Carlo, Le avventure di Pinocchio. Storia di un burattino, 1883 [in dossier] - Bizet, Georges, 'Carmen', libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy with English [in dossier] - Mérimée, Prosper, 'Carmen' trans. by Nicholas Jotcham (Oxford: Oxford UP, 1998) [in dossier] - Quim Monzó, ‘Pigmalió’, in El perquè de toto plegat (Quaderns Crema, 1993). - Javier Cercas, 'Soldados de Salamina' (Tusqusts Editores, 2003); 'Soldiers of Salamis' (Bloomsbury, 2003)
Assessment Strategy
-threshold -D- - D+: A grasp of key issues pertaining to the relevant aspect of the re-use of tradition in Spanish and Italian cinema. At least partly successful attempts to frame an argument utilising secondary materials.
-good -C- - B+: Good grasp of key issues pertaining to the relevant aspect of the re-use of tradition in Spanish and Italian cinema. Solid analysis of topic area, making good use of relevant sources to support argument.
-excellent -A- - A*: Excellent grasp of key issues pertaining to relevant aspect of the re-use of tradition in Spanish and Italian cinema. Clear appreciation of topic, making excellent use of secondary materials and an impressive depth of knowledge and/or subtlety of analysis.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a familiarity with various genres and directors in Spanish and Italian cinema.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the significance and of purpose of the adaptation and recreation of literary events, texts, historical characters or events in Spanish and Italian cinema.
- Display a mastery of basic study skills, such as the ability to follow a course of reading, make effective use of notes and secondary sources, and benefit from class discussions.
- Display an awareness of film as an important cultural medium.
- Present arguments in presentations, essays and examinations supported with literary and/or critical evidence.
Assessment method
Essay
Assessment type
Crynodol
Description
A 2000-word essay on one of the given topics.
Weighting
30%
Due date
16/12/2022
Assessment method
Individual Presentation
Assessment type
Crynodol
Description
A 15 minutes oral presentation on one of the given comparative topics, followed by Q&A (5 minutes). Date: during class time in weeks 11 and 12 of Semester 2.
Weighting
30%
Assessment method
Case Study
Assessment type
Crynodol
Description
A 2500-word Case Study Essay on an adaptation related to the Hispanic or Italian context (on one of the given topics)
Weighting
40%
Due date
12/05/2023