Charlie Chaplin
Modern Times
(1936)
2008 Spring | TR 18.30-19.45 | Clemons 322A
Description
Until quite recently, those who studied drama studied the stage. But with the advent of motion pictures the dramatic arts assumed an added dimension, even as most audiences lost a dimension in shifting their attention from the three-dimensional performance to the two-dimensional projection. While the theater remains a vibrant presence today, modern and contemporary drama is as much an affair of the cinema as of the playhouse. To chart this transition we shall study the dramatic arts in three acts, ranging from stage to screen, with a brief interval dedicated to filmic adaptations of stage plays.
Our methodology will be decidedly historical, with close attention given to the aesthetic, cultural, geographical, material and political forces shaping our chosen authors and our chosen texts. We will cover some basic principles in drama theory and film theory, while also attending to a variety of critical keywords and research methods of general relevance to the English major. Beyond active participation in weekly discussions, seminar members will be responsible for two essays, a collective web presence, and shorter writing assignments including proposals and reviews. At semester's end there will be an essay-based final exam.
Please note: This class will hold screenings on numerous Tuesday evenings between 18.30 and 22.00. Regular attendance at these events is encouraged, though you are also welcome to watch the films in question through Clemons reserves per your own arrangements.
Collab Course Site
Most of our work this semester will be run through a Collab Course Site, which will be limited to the members of the seminar.