Study Center in Alicante, Spain Course name: Literature and Film: Two Genres in One Course number: LITT 3001 ALSP Programs offering course: Liberal Arts, Language and Culture Language of instruction: Spanish U.S. Semester Credits: 3 Contact Hours: 45 Term: Spring 2017 Course Description This course emphasizes the similarities and differences between these two creative genres. The literary text, the script, and the visual text form a unity that, when well done, creates another piece of art. In this course, students view some of the most well-known and most representative films produced by the Spanish film industry in the last 20 years. They also read the literary texts on which some of these films are based and which are becoming classics in Spanish literary history. Students analyze and critique the films and literary texts with the goal of increasing their knowledge of contemporary Spanish culture and recent history. The aim of this course is not only to teach students how to analyze a film, but to show them how cinema can be enjoyable and didactic at the same time. Learning Objectives 1. Better understand the Hispanic literature and the way in which it has been represented in Spanish film productions. 2. Deeper understanding of the Hispanic worldview so that students will be able to compare the different conception of literary film adaptations, which has being in the Hispanic and Anglo-Saxon world. 3. Knowing the different stylistic trends of Spanish cinema. 4. Learning about the history of contemporary Spain literature through Spanish cinema. Course Prerequisites The only requirement for this course is that students must have an advanced Language level (3000). The professor will familiarize the students with the specific vocabulary necessary for this course. 1
Methods of Instruction The course methodology will follow these two main lines: The differences between literary works in Spanish (Spain and South America) and its adaptation to the big screen will be analyzed. The similarities and differences between how to adapt literature in European cinema and American cinema will be studied. We are, therefore, facing a descriptive, analytical and comparative analysis of two closely related artistic disciplines today: literature and cinema. This study will focus on Spanish and Latin American works without forgetting English works thematically or stylistically closely related with those. The study will serve the student to get an overview of both the current Spanish creation in both disciplines and societies in which it arises. Not to mention the different conception we have of the literary adaptation in European cinema and Hollywood cinema. Students will read excerpts from literary texts and films displayed based on these texts and others. Students will analyze both text and movies for greater understanding of the most representative elements of these reflecting the Spanish and Hispanic-American contemporary society. The course will be conducted in Spanish. The course will follow a communicative teaching approach by which participation and sharing will become integral elements of the learning process. Different theoretical and practical activities will be combined where the teacher will always facilitate the development of creativity and originality in the student's work. In that way the professor will encourage cooperation and motivation of students to ensure proper and successful operation of the course program. Assessment and Final Grade Midterm 15% Oral presentation 25% Final paper 25% Final exam 25% Attendance, active participation and homework 10% Course Requirements Midterm Midterm will be based on all the content covered until the Midterm day. The midterm consists of two parts: 30 multiple-choice questions, and 2 topics to choose one. The topic to be developed will be 150 words minimum. Final Exam The final exam will be based on all the content covered the second part of the course (from the midterm until the final exam day). The final exam consists of two parts: 30 multiple-choice questions, and 2 topics to choose one. The topic to be developed will be 150 words minimum. 2
Oral presentation Each student will do an oral presentation of the written project. The evaluation will follow this criteria: 1. Exposition clarity 2. Adequacy of information and content 3. Resources used 4. Originality The oral presentation will be based on the student s final paper. Each presentation will be 15-20 minutes long approximately. Each student has to present the topic without reading the written information. The student can have some notes with as a help. The oral presentation will take place on the scheduled day specified on the weekly schedule. Final paper A study of globalization in film (American Directors with great European or Spanish influence and great Hollywood directors). Each student will choose two Spanish directors and two American directors from a list provided by the professor, and make a study of his work from instructions focused on globalization or not their work. The work will be prepared throughout the course and the student will have to submit two drafts showing the progress of their research. It must include at least 3 links. Attendance and Class Participation Absences This class requires daily practice. Students are in charge of the learning according to the amount of work done and the time spent on the assignments. Students are granted 2 no questions asked absences. After the 2 nd absence, your overall grade will be lowered in -0.5 (i.e. 4 absences = -1 in a 0-10 Spanish teaching scale). If a student reaches 6 absences, the student will automatically fail the course. Late to class If the student enters the class after the professor closes the door (before 15 minutes), it will be considered a tardy. If on 2 occasions any student gets to class late, that will count as 1 absence. Likewise, if on 2 occasions the student leaves the class 15 minutes before the ending time; it will also imply 1 absence. Any tardy after 15 minutes will count as 1 absence (i.e. Getting to class at 9:20 = 1 absence // Leaving class at 10:30 = 1 absence). Sickness If any student needs to go to the doctor (the student will be accompanied by a CIEE staff member) during class, the student must return to class after the visit (therefore it won t count as tardy). If the student decides to go home after the doctor visit, then it will count as an absence. Tasks All tasks are obligatory. Students have to submit them on the due date. According to CIEE Alicante academic norms, if any student submits the assignment one day late, the grade will be lowered in -1 point. If it is 2 days late, the grade will be lowered by 2 points. Three or more days late, it will imply a grade of zero in the assignment. It is the student responsibility to check with the professor any work submitted by email (unless the student receives a message confirming the assignment s delivery, we will assume the assignment was never sent and/or received). 3
Academic Academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, cheating, obtaining or giving aid on an examination, and presenting another's work as one's own or doing work for another student, will not be tolerated and will be sanctioned accordingly. Class Participation Students will need to read the assigned material beforehand (articles, handouts, news, etc.) and come to class prepared and motivated to participate in class discussions and activities. Active participation and attendance are essential and will be a fundamental part of the final grade. It is also important to come to class with a positive attitude and always show respect for the opinions of both fellow students and the professor. 4
Weekly Schedule Week 1 Introduction to class. Objectives and analysis of the content of the course. Experience of students to literature and film adaptation. Main differences between cinema and literature related to the Hispanic worldview vs. Saxon worldview. Brief review of the major milestones and authors of Spanish literature. Brief review of the top names in Spanish cinema. Constants and literary themes: education, childhood, historical memory, film and politics: power, dictatorship and democracy vs. reality Idealism and fantasy good versus evil, awareness, impossible love, wealth vs. poverty, etc. Assignments Readings: La lengua de las mariposas y El viaje de Carol Week 2 Historic literature: Education and childhood in times of war. Assignments: Readings (II): La lengua de las mariposas y El viaje de Carol Tareas: Questionnaire. Investigate American films from week 1. Reading the dossier" Pan's Labyrinth " and "Snow White ". Further Readings: " How the film became the father of writers " Oswaldo Osorio - Cinema and literature: book or movie? -Relationships between cinema and literature: the script. Week 3 Analysis of the film La Lengua de las Mariposas and Viaje de Carol. Assignments American Movies on the issues. Further Reading: Historical Novel - Manuel Rivas : " Butterfly's Tongue ", " The Carpenter's Pencil " Mr Javier Cercas : "Soldados de Salamina " - Angel Garcia Roldan, " Carol's Journey " Week 4-5 Fantasy and the traditional stories (including animated films). Young Adult fantastic : El Laberinto del Fauno and Blancanieves. Review of midterm exam and mock Assignments Questionnaire: " Pan's Labyrinth " and "Snow White ". Investigate American films. Week 6 Midterm week. Analysis of the films El Laberinto del Fauno and Blancanieves Assignments: Oral Task: American Movies on the issues. Information on the written final project (Content, procedures, general. After reading "Heroes " and "3 MSC. Week 7-8 Juvenile/Teen Literature. (Young adult books) Juvenile/Teen Films. Cultural globalization. Heroes and Tres metros sobre el Cielo. Fantastic novel and Literary Thrillers: Francisco Perez Gandul : "Celda 211" - Interview with Francisco Perez Gandul (El País newspaper). Assignments: Investigate American films Questoinaire about "Heroes" and "Tres metros sobre el Cielo Reading: "El secreto de sus ojos. Week 9 Analysis of the movies: Heroes and Tres metros sobre el Cielo. Assignments: American Films. 5
Week 10 Spanish-American literature.the political thriller: El secreto de sus ojos Assignments: Investigate American films realted to the topic. Questionarie. Spanish American Literature: Eduardo Sacheri, Eduardo Eduardo Sacheri Larequi, Ernesto " Che " Guevara " Motorcycle Diaries /Travel Notes Week 11 Analysis of the movies: El secreto de tus ojos. Assignments: American Films Week 12 Spanish-American Literature. Social cinema and indie movies: Independent Spirit Awards. Diarios de Motocicleta Assignments: Questionnaire. Analysis of the film Week 13 Final paper: Hollywood adaptations.tv adaptations: " Crematoro by Rafael Chirbes. Editorial Anagram. 2007 Assignments: Submit Final paper Week 14 Final Oral presentation. Mock exam and course reviews. Week 15 Final Exam (classes are cancelled). 6
Readings Lucena Cayuela, Núria (ed) El cine español. Larousse. Barcelona, 2003 Gubern, Román (ed) Historia del cine español. Cátedra. Madrid, 2009 Stone, Rob. Spanish Cinema. Pearson Education Limited. England, 2002. Geruld, Harry M. Los escritores frente al cine. Fundamentos. Madrid, 1981. Peña -Ardid, Carmen. Literatura y cine. Cátedra. Madrid, 1992. Sontag, Susan. Contra la interpretación. Seix Barral. Barcelona, 1984 Films La lengua de las mariposas El viaje de carol El laberinto del fauno Blancanieves Heroes Tres metros sobre el cielo El secreto de sus ojos Diarios de motocicleta Celda 211 Crematorio Soldados de Salamina 7