Prof. Dr. Nicole Maruo-Schrder

University of Koblenz-Landau

English Department

M 10.1 (M.Ed. RS+, BBS), M 12.1 (M.Ed. Gym): Seminar Literature & Adaptation

Open to B.A. Kulturwissenschaft

Time: Mo, 10-12 Room: F 413

Beginning: April 13, 2015

Adaptation refers to the process of changing a certain text so that it can be represented in another medium

or genre, e.g., adapting a novel to the screen, making a play into an opera, or a poem into a song. Although

frequently successful, if not celebrated, particularly film adaptations are often scorned as not as good as

the novel, a value judgment that says little to nothing about the process of adaptation or the criteria for

judging the success of the adaptation. In this course, we will look more closely at the process of adaptation

and the manifold aspects that have to be considered using a variety of theoretical texts to do so. On the

basis of these theories of adaptation (of which there are many), we will discuss different examples of

adaptation: novel to movie, novel to comic, short story to movie, and comic to movie. Considering

different genres and media will give us the opportunity to analyze not simply the difference between such

diverse ways of realization but also the potentials and problems that come with them, something that is

especially important in the context of school.

Students should expect to work their way through theoretical texts and be willing to discuss them.

Moreover, we will read a number of adaptations, which will involve purchasing and reading the respective

texts beforehand.

Active participation is required. I also reserve the right to conduct tests to check up on required readings

(including the assigned films). Failing a test will be counted as an absence.

Please note: If you miss the first session, you will forfeit your spot in the course. Departmental

regulations regarding absence apply (more than two absences lead to failing the course).

Literature: Students are expected to buy the assigned novels/ graphic novels (see below). There will also be no film screening for the assigned movies. In addition to the reading assignments, students are expected to read up on film analysis (concepts, theories, approaches) individually (i.e. as needed). Additional readings will be made available on OLAT. Further material is put on reserve in the library.

William Shakespeare, Romeo & Juliet. Ed. Roma Gill. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1982. (other editions will do as well)

Paul Auster, City of Glass. Ed. Herbert Geisen. Reclam, 2001. (other editions will do as well, e.g., The New York Trilogy)

Paul Auster, Paul Karasik and David Mazzucchelli, City of Glass. The Graphic Novel. NY: Picador, 2004.

Further titles to be announced. (e.g., at least one novel to film adaptation)

Course Objectives: By the end of the course, students should

be able to define what adaptation is

be familiar with theories and approaches to adaptation

be familiar with aspects and problems involved in the process of adaptation, particularly those that involve different media

be able to come up with (their own) criteria of evaluation for adaptations

be able to analyze comparatively original and adaptation across different media

be able to use such a comparative analysis fruitfully in the EFL classroom

be able to develop a thesis statement (regarding the way(s) in which a specific adaptation engages with its original) on their own and underline this thesis with a coherent argument and evidence

know about the specifics of writing a term paper

Module exam (can only be taken after ALL module courses have been successfully completed): term paper (Gym, Kulturwissenschaft; deadline see KLIPS); oral exam (RS+, Gym) NB: M.Ed. Gym students must participate in the symposium before registering for the module exam.