Session 2013-1 Spring Dawson 230 Tuesday 6:00-10:00

Adam Kershaw Office Hours by Appointment [email protected] Cell (217) 725-1653

PRE-ASSIGNMENT: Visit the following link through Penn State University’s Film Studies website, and familiarize yourself with basic film studies terminology: http://www.psu.edu/dept/inart10_110/inart10/film.html. Then, read Robert Genter’s article “‘We All Go a Little Mad Sometimes’: Alfred Hitchcock, American Psychoanalysis, and the Construction of the Cold War Psycopath.” Both the web link and a copy of the article are posted to the Desire 2 Learn page for this course.

LITR 210-70: Literature and Film I. COURSE DESCRIPTION Selected literary texts and their representation on film; analysis of the relationship between the two genres, and differences between written texts and visual media. 3 semester credit hours. Literature Core Elective. II. TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS Books and Materials: • Rose, Reginald. 12 Angry Men. New York: Penguin, 2006. Print. ISBN# 9780143104407 / 0-143104403 • Palahniuk, Chuck. Fight Club. New York: Norton, 2005. Print. ISBN# 978-0393327342 / 0-393327245 • Homer. The Odyssey. Trans. Stanley Lambardo. Indianapolis: Hackett, 2000. Print. ISBN# 978-0872204843 / 0-872204847 • Composition Book or Notebook. • Active ben.edu email account. Recommended, but not required: • A Writer’s Reference, 5th edition, Diana Hacker, 2003. ISBN# 0312593325 III. MISSION STATEMENT Benedictine University is dedicated to the education of undergraduate and graduate students from diverse ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds. As an academic community committed to liberal arts and professional education distinguished and guided by our Roman Catholic tradition and Benedictine heritage, we prepare our students for a lifetime as active, informed and responsible citizens and leaders in the world community. IV.

GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME

A. Benedictine Core Goals Benedictine University's core mission is to prepare students for active participation in an increasingly interconnected world. Its Core Curriculum advances this mission by enabling students to attain a broad range of learning goals, listed below: 1. Demonstrate an effective level of cognitive, communicative, and research skills;

2. Achieve a college level of computational skills and an ability to understand and interpret numerical data; 3. Acquire a knowledge of the history and heritage of western civilization, to include • the contributions of religious faith and philosophical thought to understanding the person in community, • the relationship of the individual to society: membership and participation in groups and institutions, • scientific literacy through a knowledge of the history, the methods, and the impact of science on the individual, society, and the environment, • artistic and literary heritage; 4. Develop an understanding of global society: cultural diversity, mutual relationships, interdependence of peoples and nations; 5. Apply liberal learning in problem-solving contexts as preparation for active participation in society; 6. Make informed ethical decisions that promote personal integrity, the legitimate rights and aspirations of individuals and groups, and the common good. Course Goals 1. To develop a critical awareness of both literature and film through the examination of their similarities so that each is revealed as art contributing to an understanding of life. 2. To learn to analyze various “texts,” including film versions of literature. 3. To develop analytical expression in both writing and oral presentation. B. Course Objectives/Outcomes As a distribution course within the Core Electives, LITR 210 was designed with the above Core goals and course goals in mind. Thus, upon successful completion of LITR 210, the student will be able to demonstrate their mastery of the following objectives and student learning outcomes: 1. Examine the elements of poetry, short fiction, drama, and the novel as a means of evaluating literature. 2. Examine, closely, films based on these literary genres as a means for evaluating films through common elements of fiction. 3. Examine the similarities and differences of films and literature so that an appreciation for both may be gained. 4. Begin to establish criteria for evaluating both film and literature. 5. Be conversant with literary, theatrical, and film terminology, knowing how each relates to its medium and how each coordinates or differs with terms in another medium. 6. Recognize the validity of artistic interpretation as it derives from original creation. 7. Develop the ability to make critical judgments in response to literature and to support those judgments through analysis. V. TEACHING METHODS/DELIVERY SYSTEM The classroom is a reading and writing community in which the instructor and students work together in a learning process. This course is a combination of lecture, discussion, and group work. Students should come to class and must be prepared to discuss the reading assignments and to do the in-class work. Free class discussions are encouraged; however, students are expected to be respectful toward fellow students and the instructor. It is your responsibility to check and understand this syllabus on a daily basis. VI.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Attendance Policy (for all 5-, 8-, 10-week courses) This course is highly accelerated, and students will need to take a great deal of responsibility for their own learning outcomes. Attendance is required in each class meeting for the full period of time. Any absence must be due to extraordinary circumstances and will require documentation

for it to be considered excused. Documentation must be provided immediately in order to determine what, if any, accommodations are reasonable or possible. Class attendance will directly impact your final grade, and each undocumented absence will be considered unexcused and will result in a 20% reduction in the final grade for the course. Classroom Behavior In this classroom, respectful, professional behavior is expected and required. Due to the interactive nature of the writing process, it is imperative that students can expect courteous, polite dialogue with their classmates. Private conversations and joking with other classmates is rude and disruptive to the class. • PARTICIPATION: Come to class prepared. Read all assignments and do all exercises before the dates they are due. Bring your book, paper, writing utensils, and whatever notes you took while reading the assignments to class. Class participation is necessary, and it is important to everyone in the class, especially me. Be prepared with all written assignments ready when they are due. Late work will not receive full credit, and I reserve the right to determine such penalty on an individual basis. Assignments will not be accepted through email or by fax. If you foresee scheduling conflicts, contact me immediately. • CELL PHONES: Set all cell phones on “silent” or power them down completely. Texting or other electronic communication is not allowed during class time. If you disregard this rule, you will be asked to leave class, and you will be marked absent for the class period (please refer to the attendance policy for how this will affect your overall grade). Reading Assignments Students will be required to read Fight Club and 12 Angry Men in their entirety. From The Odyssey, we will read books 9, 10, 11 and 12. During class time, we will highlight and review other books of the poem. Also, we will read handouts such as Jonathan Nolan’s “Memento Mori” and Abmrose Bierce’s “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.” Written Assignments and Projects Essay I—Analytical Essay II—Critical Response Quizzes Final Exam Presentation

100 points 200 points varies 50 points 50 points

800 words 1200 words varies varies 10-20 minutes

* Total points may vary due to in-class exercises, quizzes, and assignments that arise. Benedictine University at Springfield Student Academic Honesty Policy The search for truth and the dissemination of knowledge are the central missions of a university. Benedictine University at Springfield pursues these missions in an environment guided by our Roman Catholic tradition and our Benedictine heritage. Integrity and honesty are therefore expected of all University students. Actions such as cheating, plagiarism, collusion, fabrication, forgery, falsification, destruction, multiple submission, solicitation, and misrepresentation are violations of these expectations and constitute unacceptable behavior in the University community. Student’s Responsibility Though there is no formal honor code at Benedictine University at Springfield, students are expected to exhibit academic honesty at all times. Violations against academic honesty are always serious and may result in sanctions that could have profound long-term effects. The final responsibility for understanding the Academic Honesty Policy of the institution, as well as the specific policies for individual courses normally found in syllabi, rests with students. If any doubt exists about what constitutes academic dishonesty, students have the responsibility to talk to the faculty member. Students should expect the members of their class to be academically honest. If students believe one or more members of the class have been deceitful to gain academic

advantage in the class, students should feel comfortable to approach the faculty member of the course without prejudice. Violations of the Academic Honesty Policy will be reported to the Office of the Dean of Academic Affairs. Along with a verbal warning, the following are consequences a student may face for academic dishonesty: • a failing grade or “zero” for the assignment; • dismissal from and a failing grade for the course; or • dismissal from the Institution. VII.

MEANS OF EVALUATION

GRADING SCALE: A = 100 to 90% B=89 to 80% C=79 to 70% D=69 to 60% F=59% or below A student must earn a C or better in WRIT 101 to earn credit toward graduation. Late papers and assignments are not acceptable! If a paper is not turned in at the beginning of the class period, it will automatically receive a 10% deduction off the final grade for the assignment. The paper must be turned in at the beginning of the following class period, or it will receive zero credit. Revising/Correcting Essays—You may revise and resubmit one essay that receives a score of less than 70%. The revised essay must be completed and resubmitted one week after the graded essay is returned. You must turn in the original, graded essay along with the revised essay. The grade on the resubmitted essay will be based on the quality of the revisions. Due to time considerations, no revisions will be allowed in the final two weeks of class. (Assignments handed back during the week six class meeting will be the last essays eligible for revision.) Other assignments and non-graded work—In this course, there will be some assignments that are not graded. These assignments are designed to help ensure your success on the graded assignments in the class. All students are expected to complete all assignments. Instructor Conferences—The instructor may request an individual conference with a student for a variety of reasons relating to class work or class behavior. Attendance at individual conferences is mandatory. Failing to attend an individual conference may result in failure of the course. Three Keys to Success: *Attend all classes and be on time. *Turn in all assignments on time. *Ask for help when you need it. One or more of the following will lead to failure: *Missing class and/or consistent tardiness. *Failing to turn in assignments on time. *Failing to ask for help when you need it.

The Fluid Syllabus—This syllabus is not written in stone for a reason. As the class progresses, changes might need to be made to the syllabus to allow for the fluidity of the class. Should such changes be necessary, I will make sure we are all aware of them with respectable notice. But, your attendance is necessary to that awareness as well. If a student believes that an error has been made in reporting a grade, an appeal must be made in writing to the instructor and must be initiated within 60 calendar days after the end of the term for which the grade in question was reported. The appeal should contain specific information about why it is believed the grade reported is inaccurate. See the Student Handbook for additional details. Add/Drop Dates Please refer to the current Academic Calendar for add/drop dates. Incomplete Request To qualify for an “I” grade, a minimum of 75% of the course work must be completed with a “C” or better, and a student must submit a completed “Request for an Incomplete” form to the Registrar’s Office. The form must be completed by both student and instructor, but it is the student’s responsibility (not the instructor’s) to initiate this process and obtain the necessary signatures. Student Withdrawal Procedure It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from a course by completing the appropriate form, with appropriate signatures, and returning the completed form to the Advising Office. Please refer to the Student Handbook for important financial information related to withdrawals. VIII.

TOPICAL COURSE OUTLINE

WEEK ONE (01/08) • Introductions. Fill out information sheets • Overview of syllabus and course requirements. • In class—Poem “Hangman” • Animated film, Hangman (1964) • Poetry and Film Terminology (Including Examination of Metaphor, Simile, and Allusion) • Examination of Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho WEEK TWO (01/15) • Read The Odyssey, Books 9, 10, 11, and 12 • Quiz over The Odyssey • Discuss Homer and Epic Poetry • Watch and discuss Joel and Ethan Coen’s Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) WEEK THREE (01/22) • Read Fight Club, Chapters 1-13 • Quiz and discussion over Chapters. • Discuss Film Genre. • Film terminology. • View film examples of genre/terminology. • Go to computer lab, work on Essay I / Individual Conferences

WEEK FOUR (01/29) • Finish Fight Club (Chapters 14-30). • Quiz and discussion over novel. • View David Fincher’s film, Fight Club (1999)—discuss film adaptation • First half (Book portion) of Essay I due WEEK FIVE (02/05) • Essay I (1000 words: 100 points) • Discuss conventions of short fiction • Short fiction in film o Ambrose Bierce, “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” o Jonathon Nolan, “Memento Mori” • View Film Adaptations. o Alfred Hitchcock Presents, “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” (1959) o Memento (2000) WEEK SIX (02/12) • Read 12 Angry Men • Discuss play and watch film, 12 Angry Men. • Discuss Final Projects/scene analysis, due next week • Final Exam Questions submitted WEEK SEVEN (02/19) • Discuss and workshop written portion of final projects • Presentations of scene analysis from book and film (50 pts) • Modern Drama in Film, David Mamet’s Glengary Glenn Ross (1992) WEEK EIGHT (02/26) • Final Exam (50 points) • Final Project Due: Critical Response Essay—Adaptation from Page to Screen (1200 words: 200 pts) IX. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) Benedictine University at Springfield provides individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to participate in educational programs, activities, and services. Students with disabilities requiring accommodations to participate in campus-sponsored programs, activities, and services, or to meet course requirements, should contact the Resource Center Director as early as possible: [email protected] or (217) 525-1420, ext. 233. X. ASSESSMENT Goals, objectives, and learning outcomes that will be assessed in the class are stated in this syllabus. Instructor will use background knowledge probes, one-minute papers, reflective essays and/or other Classroom Assessment Techniques as deemed necessary in order to provide continuous improvement of instruction.