Unit rationale, description and aim
People working in the areas of writing, the media and literary studies need to understand the interplay between textual and screen media. But what types of texts are films based on novels, and what questions can be posed about the adaptation process that may enhance an understanding of both text and film? This unit examines the relationships between literature such as poetry, plays, short stories and novels and visual texts such as film, television and other screen media through the perspective of adaptation. Examining adaptation requires analysis of the common ground between visual and literary texts as well as a consideration of their formal and institutional differences. This unit also explores the functions of text and film culture-their connections to social systems, markets and contexts of production. The aim of this unit is to enable students to analyse and interpret visual and literary texts by examining the processes, contexts and products of adaptation.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Demonstrate broad and deep knowledge of a range of...
Learning Outcome 01
Devise, develop and communicate complex ideas and ...
Learning Outcome 02
Locate, interpret and appropriately reference a ra...
Learning Outcome 03
Critically analyse evidence and synthesise scholar...
Learning Outcome 04
Critically analyse key literary theories and conce...
Learning Outcome 05
Content
Topics will include:
- A range of historical frameworks for understanding the relationship between word and image
- Examination of the visual in writing including examples of imagery and ekphrasis in written texts
- Uses of literary and written texts in visual media
- Selected elements of film theory and terminology of film analysis
- Theories of material culture and mechanical reproduction of art
- The role of institutions and industries in adaptations
- Critical approaches to the process of adaptation from written narrative to visual narrative
- Analysis of examples of adaptation from novel/story to film/television
- Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and other world Indigenous, cultural protocols for adaptation of writings and other cultural knowledges.
Assessment strategy and rationale
A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with university assessment requirements.
The assessment tasks and their weighting for this unit are designed to demonstrate achievement of each learning outcome.
Assessment task one is designed to be primarily formative, developing knowledge, theoretical concepts and critical debates.
The second task requires students to demonstrate their ability to synthesise scholarly arguments with their own ideas and apply these to the analysis of examples of literary adaptation.
The final research requires students to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of literary adaptation and key debates within the scholarship that addresses it. Students will propose and develop a research project addressing a specific example of adaptation.
Overview of assessments
Formative Task This will test the understanding ...
Formative Task
This will test the understanding of foundational concepts including analytical terms and theories of adaptation.
20%
Analytical Writing Task This task requires the a...
Analytical Writing Task
This task requires the application of critical and theoretical material to an example of adaptation.
30%
Research Writing Task This task requires student...
Research Writing Task
This task requires students to research a specified form of adaptation and to use knowledge of the field to examine a particular example.
50%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit will use class exercises, discussions and formal assignments to encourage analyses of the relationship between literary and visual texts by examining the processes and contexts of adaptation. The formal student engagement will be developed through in-class exercises including group work encouraging the exploration of relevant examples of adaptation from short story or novel to film or television forms. Students will investigate critical concepts relevant to adaptation and consider these in relation to particular sets of texts. The unit will encourage students to analyse literary adaptation in relation to form and content, as well as in the light of contexts of production. The unit will emphasise clear writing and research as key skills in developing well-argued and evidence-based analyses.
This is a 10-credit point unit and has been designed to ensure that the time needed to complete the required volume of learning to the requisite standard is approximately 150 hours in total across the semester. To achieve a passing standard in this unit, students will find it helpful to engage in the full range of learning activities and assessments utilised in this unit, as described in the learning and teaching strategy and the assessment strategy.