*Number of Credits : 3
*Transferability of Course within Nevada: This course transfers within Nevada.
Course Description
This course studies film and novel genres to examine the transformation in genre when novels are made into films. Students read novels and view films based on those novels to examine the relative impact of each form upon the audience as well as to understand the differences between literary and film genre.
Emphasizes critical reasoning to hone sharper perceptions as well as develop more conscious reasoning and writing skills. Prerequisite: ENG 101 and ENG
102 or consent of the instructor.
Course Objectives: The purpose of this course is to provide a foundation of knowledge that allows students to further their study of film and/or apply knowledge to meet their personal and professional needs. The information in the parentheses after a course objective refers to the specific general education (GE) learning outcome that the objective meets. Objectives without this information are not linked to WNC’s general education program.
Upon completion of this course the students should be able to:
• Understand the impact of cultural and historical events on the development of selected novels and films (Gen Ed 5)
•
Recognize and understand the various literary and historic movements that have evolved into the selected novels and films (Gen Ed 5)
• Recognize what literary and cinematic elements make up the aspects of the novel and film (Gen Ed 1)
• Recognize and understand the importance of certain novelists and directors in a historic perspective as well as their particular styles
• Recognize the similarity between certain literary and cinematic techniques
Linkage of Course to Educational Program Mission or Program Outcomes .
• Are able to demonstrate college level reading, writing, and oral communication skills.
• Possess adequate problem solving, creative reasoning, and critical thinking skills.
• Can engage in meaningful self-assessments and work effectively with others.
• Utilize effective and efficient learning skills, including locating and evaluating sources of information.

• Have knowledge of the subject matter to a level that is appropriate to the emphasis of their degree.
• Develop and improve their creative abilities.
• Appreciate the need for continuing education and lifelong learning.
• Will succeed at transfer institutions.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Adaptations: From Short Story to Big Screen: 35 Great Stories That HAve
Inspired Great Films , Stephanie Harrison. New York: Three Rivers, 2005.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Philip K. Dick. New York: Ballantine,
1996.
Big Fish , by Daniel Wallace. Chapel Hill: Algonquin of Chapel Hill, 1998.
*The films are available on reserve. Some can also be found on Netflix and other
Internet websites.
Microsoft Office or Open Office word processing program (free from http://www.openoffice.org/)
Office Hours in Bristlecone 350G: The following are my office hours. Please feel free to come with questions and concerns. To arrange a time to meet outside these hours, please email me.
•
Carson: Monday: 4:30-5:30pm
Tuesday: 1-2pm
Wednesday: 12-1pm
Thursday: 1-2pm and 4-5pm
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS:
Attendance and Participation (150 pts.)
10 Film Responses (20 points each, 200 points total)
Oral Presentation (50 pts.)
Exams:
Midterm #1 (150 points)
Midterm #2 (150 points)
Essays:
Cultural Context of a Film (200)
Film Analysis (200 pts.)
= 1100 total pts possible

Keeping Track of Grades : Do not ask me what your current grade is; you will be responsible for that. I have attached a template to this syllabus for you to use, and you are also free to use your own method.
EVALUATION METHODS AND GRADING CRITERIA:
For average work, you will earn an average grade, which is a "C". A further important item of note: in general, papers that do not meet the minimum page/word count requirements will earn a grade no higher than a "C-". Major assignments must be
completed. Finally, S tudents will be expected to submit all papers via turnitin.com in order to pass the class . Students who receive a D or lower on the final exam and final research paper may not receive a passing grade in the course. Participation weighs in more heavily in this course than in most others - you are expected to contribute to class discussions regularly .
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
If you have a disability for which you will need to request accommodations, please contact Susan Trist, Coordinator for Disability Support Services at 775-445-3268 or susan.trist@wnc.edu as soon as possible to arrange for appropriate accommodations.
REVISIONS:
Students will sometimes be given the opportunity to rewrite their essays for a higher grade. I will announce these opportunities in class and give you a time frame for completion. Please note that revision does not simply mean correcting a few sentence errors here and there. Revisions should show significant rethinking of your essay.
Also, be aware that I do NOT mark every single error on your papers , especially grammar and mechanical errors. I will point out major and recurring errors, but there will be others that I will not mark . Revised essays must be turned in with the
original essay(s) - NO EXCEPTIONS. Revision scores REPLACE the original scores unless lower than the original (in which case there is no change).
WITHDRAWAL PROCESS AND RESPONSIBILITY:
In order to withdraw from a class, a student must fill out the requisite paperwork before the final withdrawal date. Instructors cannot assign a grade of W; it is your responsibility. If a student simply stops attending class, or fails to turn in major assignments, a grade of “F” will be issued as the final grade. The Last Day to Drop, with a “W” is March 27 th.
COURSE POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS:

I take attendance at the beginning of class. If you are not in the classroom when I take attendance, you will be counted absent. You cannot make up missed attendance points.
When you arrive to class, you will have a 10 point quiz over the reading assignment (or I will assess your completed homework sheet, etc.). Quizzes cannot be made up; you must be in class when the quiz is given in order to have a chance to earn those points.
No Exceptions!!!
You are responsible for the material covered in class. If you miss a class, make sure to get the information, notes, announcements, etc. from a classmate.
LATE WORK
Late work will be marked down 50%, and may not be graded until the end of the
Semester.
If an emergency arises, please contact me ASAP. Communication with me before an assignment is due provides you the only means to explain unforeseen circumstances and exercise other options.
PLEASE NOTE: Print out your work at least the day before and/or email it to yourself so that you are able to retrieve it anywhere. Computer and/or printer failure are NO excuse. If it is not turned in during the class period in which it is due, it will be marked late. All major assignments must be completed in order to pass the class.
CELL PHONES/PAGERS/OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES:
All devices of this type should be turned off or switched to a silent setting while you are in class, and the cell phone must be out of view. Failure to do so will result in an absence for the day. This policy includes texting during class or using the Internet. If you use your cell phone during class, you will simply be marked absent for the day and/or your phone will be kept up front until the end of class.
COMMON CIVILITY
Entering a college classroom demands that you treat others in a manner that is supportive of academic inquiry, curiosity, and shared learning. By respectfully acknowledging your similarities and differences with other students, you will learn a great deal about yourself. Consequently, if you are able to argue and discuss topics in a civil and reasoned manner (even those you feel most passionate about), you will have empowered your own voice and increased the likelihood that you will be heard and taken seriously by a professional audience. Furthermore, common respect involves being adult enough to not disturb others with side conversations. In this class, only one person should be talking at a time. Whether it is the instructor or a classmate, please give the individual speaking your full attention, as we will do when you wish to speak.
Failure to be civil and courteous to your colleagues and/or professor will result in a loss of attendance/quiz points, a warning, or dismissal from the course. If you are unclear as to what constitutes disrespectful or inappropriate behavior, I will let you know.

ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENT:
The College is committed to academic integrity in all its practices. Cheating on papers, tests or other academic works is a violation of College rules. No student shall engage in behavior that, in the judgment of the instructor of the class, may be construed as cheating. This may include, but is not limited to, plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty such as the acquisition without permission of tests or other academic materials and/or distribution of these materials and other academic work. This includes students who aid and abet as well as those who attempt such behavior. BUYING an essay or willfully submitting someone else's work as your own are instances of academic dishonesty that will result in failure of the class, at the very least. In a word – do not even consider it. In addition, you may not turn in papers written for another class to fulfill the assignments for this one . Acts of academic dishonesty will result in an F grade for an assignment or for the course, based upon the discretion of the instructor. Please refer to the student handbook for more information of the College’s academic dishonesty policies.
RIGHT OF REVISION STATEMENT:
The instructor and Western Nevada College reserve the right to make reasonable changes to this syllabus and/or schedule as necessary.
Week 1
Monday, January 19 th –
Martin Luther King Jr. holiday - COLLEGE CLOSED
Wednesday, January 21 st – Introduction to the Course: review of syllabus, course expectations, and policies. Response #1 Assigned
• Homework: Handout
Week 2
Monday, January 26 th – Elements of Film.
Response #1 Due. Response #2 Assigned
• Homework: In Adaptations , read pages xv- xix, and 6794 (“Rear
Window,” by Cornell Woolrich).
Read “Through a Window,” by H.G. Wells (handout)
Wednesday, January 28 th –
• Homework: Watch Rear Window . directed By Alfred Hitchcock.
Week 3
Monday, February 2 nd –
Response #2 Due. Response #3 Assigned
• Homework: In Adaptations , read pages 155-160, and 204208 (“Herbert West--
Reanimator,” by H.P. Lovecraft)

Wednesday, February 4 th –
• Homework: Watch Reanimator
Week 4
Monday, February 9 th – Response #3 Due. Response #4 Assigned
•
Homework: In Adaptations , read pages 413-420, and 451-461
(“Memento Mori,” by Jonathan Nolan)
Wednesday, February 11 th – MIDTERM #1.
• Homework: Watch Memento
Week 5
Monday, February 16 th – Presidents’ Day holiday - COLLEGE CLOSED
Wednesday, February 18 th – Response #4 Due. Film Analysis Assigned
• Homework: In Adaptations , read pages 210-217, and 244253 (“This Is
What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona,” by Sherman Alexie).
Week 6
Monday, February 23 rd –
• Homework: Watch Smoke Signals
Wednesday, February 25 th –
• Homework: In Adaptations , read pages 558-562, and 595-610
(“Killings,” by Andre Dubus).
Week 7
Monday, March 2 nd –
Film Analysis Due. Response #5 Assigned
•
Homework: Watch In the Bedroom
Wednesday, March 4 th –
•
Homework: Read pages 1-60 of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
by Philip K. Dick
Week 8
Monday, March 9 th – Response #5 Due. Response #6 Assigned
•
Homework: Read pages 60-84 of Do Androids Dream of Electric
Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
Wednesday, March 11 th –

•
Homework: Finish reading Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
by
Philip K. Dick.
Week 9
SPRING BREAK, COLLEGE CLOSED MARCH 16 th -MARCH 20 th
•
Homework: Finish reading Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Week 10
Monday, March 23 rd – Response #6 Due. Response #7 Assigned. Watch Blade
Runner in class.
•
Homework:
Wednesday, March 25 th –
Finish watching Blade Runner in class .
• Homework:
Week 11
Monday, March 30 th MIDTERM #2. Response #7 Due. Response #8 Assigned.
•
Homework: Read Pages 1-50 of Big Fish , by Daniel Wallace
Wednesday, April 1 st -
• Homework: Read Pages 51-105 of Big Fish , by Daniel Wallace
Week 12
Monday, April 6 th –
Response #8 Due. Cultural Context of a Film Essay Assigned
•
Homework: Read Pages 106-134 of Big Fish , by Daniel Wallace
Wednesday, April 8 th –
•
Homework: Finish reading Big Fish , by Daniel Wallace
Week 13
Monday, April 13 th – Watch Big Fish
• Homework:
Wednesday, April 15 th – Finish Watching Big Fish
•
Homework:
Week 14
Monday, April 20 th - Cultural Context of a Film Essay Due.
Response #9 Assigned
Wednesday, April 22 nd –
• Homework: In Adaptations , read pages 525-532, and 540554 (“The
Lady with the Pet Dog,” by Anton Chekhov).

Week 15
Monday, April 27 th – Response #9 Due. Response #10 Assigned
• Homework: Watch Dark Eyes
Wednesday, April 29 th –
Week 16
Monday , May 4 th – Presentations of Creative Projects. Response #10 Due
Wednesday, May 6 th – Presentations of Creative Projects.
Week 17
Wednesday, May 13 th -- Work Returned