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ENG 213

I. TITLE: World Film and Literature

II. CATALOG DESCRIPTION: A study of the correlations between the film form and traditional literary forms.

III. PURPOSE: The purpose of this course is to increase students’ awareness of the esthetic
dimension of film by exposing them to a number of worthwhile films and other literary works and by helping them attain the knowledge and develop the skills necessary to analyze films as serious works of art. ENG 213 cultivates the following Characteristics of an MSU Graduate:

Characteristic 1: Engage in mature, independent thought and express that thought effectively in oral and written communication. ENG 213 will improve students’ ability to understand, analyze, and compare literature and film and to discuss and write about the questions they suggest;

Characteristic 2: Understand the critical and scientific methodologies academic disciplines employ to discover knowledge and ascertain its validity. ENG 213 will help students understand the specific techniques employed by literature and film;

Characteristic 3: Apply sound standards of analysis and evaluation to reach logical decisions. Students will learn to analyze and compare literary and philosophical works;

Characteristic 5: Demonstrate a critical understanding of the world’s historical, literary, philosophical and artistic traditions. ENG 213 will introduce students to significant literary works and films in the context of the cultural traditions from which they emerged.

Characteristic 6: Understand the dynamics of cultural diversity, of competing economic and political systems, and of complex moral and ethical issues. ENG 213 will help students develop an understanding of cultural diversity by exposing them to literary works and films from a variety of cultural traditions.

IV. COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completing this course, students should be able to
A. Demonstrate a familiarity with significant films and literary works
B. Understand the importance of film in contemporary culture
C. Demonstrate an understanding of important cinematic techniques and their relationship to traditional literary techniques
D. Analyze the form and content of specific films and works of literature
E. Write a clearly organized, convincingly developed essay incorporating what they have learned in the course.

V. CONTENT OUTLINE The means by which ENG 213 achieves its purpose will vary, depending on the approach taken by the individual instructor. In different semesters, ENG 213 may concentrate on one or a combination of the following: 1) an analysis of a single genre as reflected in film and other literary works (e.g., the western, film and roman noir); 2) a comparison of specific literary works and the films derived from them, including fiction (e.g. Wutherina Heights) and drama (e.g., The Heiress) 3) an analysis of film as an international form of literature, including a discussion of cinematic techniques in films such as Pather Panchali and their relationship to other literary techniques.

VI. INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
A. Active learning methodologies. The class will be conducted through a number of methods, including full class discussion, small group discussion, student oral presentations, lectures by the instructor, and filmed presentations,

B. Reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking. Typically, students will be required to read the equivalent of at least six novels and/or plays and view at least six motion pictures. They will be assigned papers totaling at least 2000 words which require the analysis of specific works, and they will take three to four examinations testing their knowledge and the ability to apply what they have learned.

C. Computer technology. Students will avail themselves of the wealth of information about literature and film available on the Internet.

VII. FIELD AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCES: Students will be required to view three films shown as part of the Cinema International.

VIII. RESOURCES: Aside from the standard resources available to MSU students (bookstore library. etc.), students in ENG 213 will avail themselves of the specific resources applicable to the study of film and literature. These resources include the collection of films available at Waterfield Library, the equipment in FH 208, which will be used to show the films that students will be required to view, and the equipment, such as VCRs, available to individual students enrolled in the course. We may also be able to use the University’s television station to show some of the required films in the course.

IX. GRADING PROCEDURE: At least 20% of the course grade will come from examinations; at least 20% from papers; at least 10% from oral presentations; and at least 10% from participation and quizzes. The evaluation of work will weigh the quality of insights, the kind and quality of evidence, and the clarity of the work as well as the level of correctness of presentation. Student writing will reflect the broad variety of web resources on this subject.

X. ATTENDANCE POLICY: Students are expected to attend each class meeting. Their course grade will be lowered one third of a letter grade for each unexcused absence over 3. If for any reason students miss one fourth or more of the class meetings, they will not receive a passing grade for the course.

XI.  ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY: See attached policy.

XII. TEXT AND REFERENCES: All sections of ENG 213 will use Louis D. Giannetti’s Understanding Movies as a basic textbook. Specific literary works and films will be determined by the emphasis in a given section, but all sections will include a selection of both western and non-western works.

XIII. PREREQUISITES: ENG 101 and 102 or ENG 104 (or the equivalent)

Last updated February 14, 2000. Designed and maintained by Kyosung Koo