Packing Slip 
item |
Exploring Literary Criticism in Film and Literature |
contact |
Analicia Buentello (Estrella Mountain Community College) analicia.buentello@emcmail.maricopa.edu |
college(s) |
Estrella Mountain Community College |
discipline(s) |
Literature |
summary |
The purpose of my project was to explore the mythic roots in film and literature. I researched the theory of archetypes and literary/film devices, read a number of novels/novellas and then viewed their film version to explore how each story conformed to a mythic tradition. |
details |
The purpose of my project was to explore the mythic roots in film and literature during summer, specifically from June 6 until July 29. I researched the theory of archetypes and literary/film devices. In addition, I read a number of novels/novellas (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Shane, The Color Purple, The English Patient, Shoeless Joe/Field of Dreams, Being There, and “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption”), then viewed their film version to explore how each story conformed to a mythic tradition. Besides reading novels and watching films, I also read up on archetypes in film and literature, (Literature and Film as Modern Mythology, Myth and the Movies, A Short Guide to Writing About Film, The Elements of Writing About Literature and Film, Anatomy of Film) and kept a journal chronicling my research and reflections. ------------------------------------------------------------ Outcomes: In a paragraph or two describe what worked well. Did you accomplish your objective(s)? Were you able to complete your summer project as written? If not, what did you modify and why? What did not go as well as expected, if anything? Were there any surprises? Note: Use the questions as guides for your outcomes. Do not include detailed list of workshops attended, speakers who presented, or a list of items you have seen, heard, or read. ------------------------------------------------------------ While I accomplished my objectives, I found myself modifying my project. In hindsight, I probably shouldn’t have committed to reading so much because I found myself watching more movies to keep myself sane. This actually turned out wonderfully due to my summer project. Let me explain: I saw Star Wars Episode Six: Revenge of the Sixth for mindless summer fun, but found myself excited about the mythical elements in the film. Within the week, I had viewed the entire Star Wars sage, saw Revenge of the Sith again, and then read Philosophy and Star Wars. Who knew there was so much to Yoda? (In my defense, I saw the original when I was quite young, so when I saw them this summer, it was with a whole new level of comprehension.) I was in Scotland this summer when Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince came out, so like all of the other tourists, I bought a copy of the book. Having been a fan of the series, I was able to appreciate it more because of my research After I read the novel, I re-read Book 4, 5, and plan to re-read the last book next week. In addition, I viewed the last two films, and am currently finishing up Harry Potter and Philosophy. ------------------------------------------------------------ Professional Growth: Your own professional growth is a large part of your project. Your professional growth is important to you, your students, your college, and possibly other colleagues. How did project affect you professionally? What skills did you learn? What environments were you working in and how might your summer project influence your teaching or other responsibilities? Did you gain a different perspective? Was it professionally valuable for you? ------------------------------------------------------------ I enjoyed my summer project so much that I found myself modifying my summer ENAG 102 course to focus on the hero’s journey in a popular film. I had each class select a film from Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Edward Scissorhands to analyze. While the majority of my students had seen the three films in question, they obtained a greater appreciation for the universal themes in the film. The class activities were centered on identifying archetypes in the film and following the hero/heroine. I plan to offer a Literature and Film next summer, incorporating everything I enjoyed about this summer project: the reading, the films, and the journaling. This project was professionally valuable to me because I learned so much to apply to all of my courses, not just a film and literature class. I believe that the majority of my students enjoy movies, but do not particularly enjoy reading literature. My project has given me the confidence to show how film and literature go hand-in-hand. I now have the foundation and confidence to proceed. ------------------------------------------------------------ Dissemination: How will you share this information with your colleagues, department, students, or college? ------------------------------------------------------------ I offered a Film and Literature course this semester, but the class didn’t make much to my disappointment. I do plan to offer it again during Summer 2006. As previously mentioned, I can apply my project to all of my courses, so I am doing just that. Next week, my Chicano Literature class is viewing a film. I will be spending this week watching films that not only focus on Chicano issues and characters, but that also has mythic elements. In addition, my ENG 101 classes will analyze archetypes in a film, which will culminate in a research project due towards the end of the semester. Finally, I plan on compiling my research journal into an annotated bibliography that I can share with colleagues interested in archetypes in film. Note! As a professional courtesy to the owner of this package, if you use some aspect of this package or have some thoughts about it, please share your feedback via the comments form below. |
web links |
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/fpg/ |
shareback |
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extra |
Last modified: Oct-10-2005 Date created: Sep-30-2005 Visitor count: 5727 Dublin Core Metadata record  This package is included in the Faculty Professional Growth Summer Project Reports special collection. |
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