ENG 2400 Film from Literature, Spring 2021

Hi Class,

Go to Blackboard to find the Final Exam. Please follow the instructions.

Email any questions.

REMINDER: ALL WORK IS DUE BEFORE 5PM ON MAY 20

-Prof. Scanlan

Hi Class,

IMPORTANT NOTE: ALL WORK MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE 5PM ON MAY 20. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE DEADLINE.

1–If you opted to miss today’s class for a religious reason, that is fine as long as you know that you are responsible for any and all missed material.

2–In preparation for the Final Exam, all students should watch Ang Lee’s Life of Pi.

Study Questions for Life of Pi:

1. Pi’s full name, Piscine Molitor Patel, was inspired by a Parisian swimming pool that “the gods would have delighted to swim in.” The shortened form refers to the ratio of a circle’s circumference divided by its diameter. Why is his name significant? Who taught Pi to swim?
2. Pi is polytheistic. Is that possible or believable?
3. Consider the ideas about zoos, captive animals, and animal behavior expressed in this book. Do you agree that humans are the most dangerous of animals? Why or why not?
4. What did Pi lose when the Tsimtsum sank? What did he gain?
5. Who is Richard Parker?
6. What does the floating island signify? Is it believable?
7. Why is Pi so sad when Richard Parker leaves him once they land on the beach in Mexico?

3– FINAL EXAM DETAILS: I will post the Final Exam on Blackboard before 5pm on May 17 (Monday). Submit your completed exam before 5pm on Thursday. I WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY WORK SUBMITTED AFTER 5PM ON MAY 20TH. The final exam will consist of three sections: short definition and identification; quotation identification and explanation; brief essay. The exam will cover Othello and Life of Pi and major concepts and film terms such as redemption, revenge, Five types of ethics, empathy, scene, shot, mise en scene, diegetic sound, and others. I’ve designed this exam to take approximately one hour and fifteen minutes. It is an open book, open film, and open notes exam. 

4–FINAL ESSAY DETAILS: Submit your Final Essay on Blackboard before 5pm on May 20.

Note: I’ve posted the first three paragraphs of a student sample of the final essay–Readings menu tab.

5–I will have class on the 20th for about 30 minutes. 

**Email any questions to me.

-Prof. Scanlan

Hi Class,

Thanks for the excellent conversation about Othello! I’ve saved the text of the chat here:

May-6-2021 Chat

Homework:

 1–Finish Yann Martel’s Life of Pi (2001).

2–Bring a draft of the final essay to class–at least one page. Be prepared to read from your draft. See the assignment instructions in the Assignments menu tab.

Best,

Prof. Scanlan

NOTE: SORRY, I HAD TO CANCEL TODAY’S OFFICE HOURS DUE TO A MEETING CONFLICT!–Email any questions.

——————————

Hi Class,

Thanks for the great insights into Othello.

For next week:

 

1–Read to page to the middle of page 46 (to chapter 30) in Life of Pi (the free version is in Readings)

2–Go to Blackboard and finish Quiz 3 by 2:30 next Thursday.

 

Note: if you are missing any assignments, please email me so we can talk about it. I do accept late work!

Best wishes,

Prof. Scanlan

Hi Class,

Sorry to make you stay late–I know it’s a long class. I misjudged how much we still had to watch. We will begin next week with a discussion of the Parker version. I mistakenly mentioned Quiz 3–that’s due May 6th.

Homework: Finish reading the play: Acts IV and V. Make sure to turn in Coffeehouse #3 if you have not already done so. The directions are below.

Best,

Prof. Scanlan

Hi Class,

Homework: Read Acts II and III of Othello, then write Coffeehouse #3

Directions: Write your answers in the Category Coffeehouse #3 [Details: Number each answer; write approximately 50 words for each question; 20 points total; 4 points each]

1–Othello is wanted in Act 1 scene 2 for two reasons. What are they? Be specific and use proper names. 

2– What is the meaning of Iago’s statement:

“I am not what I am.”  [line 67]

3–Why does Brabantio say to Othello: 

“She has deceived her father, and may thee” [line 650]

4–Why does Iago want to get Cassio drunk? See Act 2 Scene3

5–What is significant about the handkerchief Emilia finds? See Act 3 Scene 3

Best,

Prof. Scanlan

NOTE 1: I’ve had to cancel today’s office hours. Please email any questions. I will hold office hours on Thursday from 1-2.

NOTE 2: PLEASE TURN IN YOUR TRANSLATION ESSAY ON TIME! SEE BELOW.

UPDATE on Literary Arts Festival. The Zoom for the festival is full, but you can still watch  on YouTube Live: 

YouTube Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOTUZlaIbWo

—

Hi Class,

So great that many of you liked Persepolis in both versions. The next unit on Othello will be more challenging, but I hope to make it easier by prefacing the plot and the main ideas.

HOMEWORK:

1—FIRST DRAFT OF TRANSLATION ESSAY IS DUE BY FRIDAY, APRIL 9 AT 5PM FOR 30 POINTS. SUBMIT ON OPENLAB (Category: Draft of Translation Essay). [Technically, this was due 4/8/21]

2—FINAL DRAFT OF TRANSLATION ESSAY IS DUE BEFORE CLASS NEXT THURSDAY!! GO TO BLACKBOARD TO SUBMIT THE FINAL DRAFT. The directions are up!

3—Read Linda Cahir’s chapter “Plays into Film” (Readings menu tab). In your notes, answer this question: What do these terms mean “filmed theatre,” “photoplay,” and “populist mode”? And be able to connect these names to each term: Zeffirelli, Munsterberg, and Belasco.

4—Read Act I of Othello–See Readings menu tab. Make to understand the speeches that Brabantio, Othello, and Desdemona give at the end of the Scene 3.

Extra Credit: Attend the City Tech Literary Arts Festival and Write a 100-word reflection on your favorite part of the event. Worth 10 homework points. Post the 100 words reflection in the Favorites category.

Register for the Zoom event here: 

https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/literaryartsfestival/2021/04/06/city-techs-40th-annual-laf-with-staceyann-chin/

Best wishes,

Prof. Scanlan

PLEASE NOTE: I’VE HAD TO CANCEL TODAY’S OFFICE HOURS–APRIL 8. PLEASE EMAIL ANY QUESTIONS.

BEST,

PROF. SCANLAN

—

Hi Class,

I hope you are enjoying Persepolis.

HAVE A GREAT AND SAFE SPRING BREAK!

Homework for April 8:

1–Finish reading Persepolis, note key differences between text and film. Don’t forget this key question: how does one stay true to oneself? See page 200 for some ideas.

2–Write a two-page draft of our Translation Essay and post it to OpenLab in the Category: Draft of Translation Essay. See the essay directions in the Assignments menu tab. The student example is in the Readings menu tab.

Email any questions.

Best,

Prof. Scanlan

**Note: I will not be able to hold office hours on Wednesday, March 24. Email any questions.

Hi Class,

I’m glad that you are enjoying Persepolis!

HOMEWORK: Read up to page 182 in Persepolis and then answer the ten questions in Blackboard. Go to “Content” and follow the directions. This Coffeehouse #2 post is worth 20 points.

Best,

Prof. Scanlan

Hi Class,

Thanks to everybody for contributing so much to today’s class. I hope that you enjoyed the classic Rear Window!

I barely got to the introduction to Satrapi’s Persepolis: 

It is a first person graphic memoir that follows Marjane Satrapi (the author) through her self discovery, from her childhood to young adulthood, from 1980 to 1994. The memoir begins in Iran during and after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Marji moves to Austria to further her education and then returns to Iran under emotional stress. This memoir is both personal and national, it is local and global.

Homework:

1–Read Persepolis—up to page 157 (up to the chapter titles “Soup”).

2–Review five “transaction” terms: Redemption, Revenge, Sacrifice, Justice, Forgiveness

3–Review film terms for lighting, especially shadows

4–Take Quiz 2. The quiz can be found on Blackboard.

 

The quiz is due by 2:30pm on Thursday, March 18

Best,

Prof. Scanlan