• Class Number 8433
  • Term Code 3560
  • Class Info
  • Unit Value 6 units
  • Mode of Delivery In Person
  • COURSE CONVENER
    • Dr Kate Flaherty
  • LECTURER
    • Dr Kate Flaherty
  • Class Dates
  • Class Start Date 21/07/2025
  • Class End Date 24/10/2025
  • Census Date 31/08/2025
  • Last Date to Enrol 28/07/2025
SELT Survey Results

Cinematic adaptations of novels, short stories and plays have dominated the box office and film industry awards for some decades, often provoking fierce debate about their fidelity, or otherwise, to the original; discussions about how the text has been transformed, cut and downright ruined, or, conversely, how the film has 'rescued' the novel, making it seem interesting and worth reading in a new context. The proliferation of YouTube, Facebook and multimodal adaptations in recent years has only reignited and reformulated these discussions.

This course examines a series of texts together with their adaptations on to different kinds of screens, in order to understand the differences between novels, short stories, plays, film and other visual media as modes of storytelling; examine the way the written text and its adaptation participate in debates unique to their own historical contexts; and analyse the anxieties about literary and cultural value exposed by adaptations. We will ask: how do screen adaptations generate new meanings from literary texts today? Should an adaptation seek only to imitate the text or can it also transform, reconceptualise and critique it? What role do the market and the audience play in generating new meanings from texts? And can the relationship between text and adaptation be understood as mutually dependent?

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

  1. analyse, discuss and write critically about a range of  literary texts and the key cultural debates in which they participate;
  2. examine, discuss and write critically about a range of screen adaptations of novels and the key cultural debates in which they participate;
  3. recognise, interpret and evaluate the ways in which literary texts and their visual adaptations both emerge from and contribute to their literary, historical and cultural contexts; and
  4. understand influential theories of adaptation and be able to utilise these in analyses of adaptations.

Field Trips

Optional: Illustrated Shakespeare Lecture with Kate Flaherty and Bell Shakespeare at the National Library; (Friday, Week 2)

Compulsory: Bell Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (during semester break) details TBC

Additional Course Costs

Theatre ticket <>

Please speak to your convenor if you are concerned about this requirement.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (Penguin, available at Harry Hartog)

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (CUP, available at Harry Hartog)

White Teeth by Zadie Smith (Penguin, available at Harry Hartog)

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:
  • Written comments
  • Verbal comments
  • Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Include the word count of all online submitted tasks at the end of the task.

Content which exceeds the stated word limit + 10% will not be taken into account in marking.

Class Schedule

Week/Session Summary of Activities Assessment
1 Lecture: Introduction: Adaptation and Modern LoveTutorials
2 Lecture: Adaptation theory overview and case study: classics for childrenNo tutorials
3 Lecture/Panel: Charlotte Bronte's Jane EyreTutorials Assessment 3.1: Panel
4 Lecture/Panel: National Theatre Jane EyreTutorials Assessment 3.1: PanelAssessment 1.1 In-class scene analysis (tutorial)
5 Lecture/Panel: Cary Fukunaga's Jane EyreTutorials Assessment 3.1: Panel
6 Lecture/Panel: Shakespeare's Romeo and JulietTutorials Assessment 3.1: Panel
7 Lecture/Panel: Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + JulietTutorials Assessment 3.1: PanelAssessment 1.2 Production scene analysis
8 Lecture/Panel: R&J wildcard weekTutorials Assessment 3.1: PanelAssessment 2.1: Project progress report (see alternative exam)
9 Projects progress showcaseConsultations
10 Lecture/Panel: Zadie Smith's White TeethTutorials Assessment 3.1 PanelAssessment 2.2: Creative project (see alternative exam)
11 Lecture: White Teeth on TVTutorials Assessment 3.1 PanelAssessment 2.3 Analytical reflection essay (see alternative exam)
12 Lecture/Panel: White Teeth on audiobookTutorials Assessment 3.1: PanelExam period: Assessment 2 (alternative): 2 hr exam

Assessment Summary

Assessment task Value Learning Outcomes
Asssessment 1: short essays (30%) 30 % 1, 2
Assessment 2: Creative project and Analytical reflection essay (50% total) 50 % 1, 2, 4
Assessment 3: In-class tasks (20%) 20 % 1, 2, 3, 4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Participation in Lecture/panel sessions and Tutorials is recorded and contributes 10% to your mark.

Criteria for Participation: Prepare, Come, Contribute, Co-operate. This will be explained in Week 1.

In-person attendance at all Lecture/Panel sessions and Tutorials is expected.

The integrated assessment design means that non attendance will have a negative impact on your Participation grade, your learning experience, and on your capacity to achieve strong results in other tasks.

Lecture recordings are intended as a back-up; they do not replace Lecture/panel attendance and Participation.

Temporary absence through documented illness or other unexpected extenuating circumstances can be accommodated without penalty.

Concerned about Participation? Contact your course convenor early.

Examination(s)

See 'Assessment 2' above.

Assessment Task 1

Value: 30 %
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2

Asssessment 1: short essays (30%)

1.1 In-class scene analysis (500 words +/- 10%) (10%)

1.2 Production scene analysis (Romeo and Juliet) (1000 words +/-10%) (20%)

Assessment Task 2

Value: 50 %
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 4

Assessment 2: Creative project and Analytical reflection essay (50% total)

Comprises:

2.1 Project progress report (500 words +/- 10%) (10%)

2.2 Creative submission, e.g. screen or stage script / audio book / long poem/ poetry anthology / short story etc. (up to 3 minutes/1000 words +/-10%) (20%)

2.3 Analytical reflection essay (1000 words +/-1-%) (20%)

No late submissions permitted.

Alternative: exam (2 essays in 2 hours); during examinations period (50%)

Assessment Task 3

Value: 20 %
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Assessment 3: In-class tasks (20%)

3.1 Moderate or participate in ONE panel discussion and Q&A on a set topic (500 words equivalent) (10%)

Instructions provided in Week 1 tutorials. See Wattle for schedule and more details.

3.2 Lecture and Tutorial Participation (Prepare, Come, Contribute, Co-operate) (10%)

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Note that late submissions are not permitted for all assessments (see individual assessment advice on CANVAS).

Where late submission is permitted:

-Tasks submitted late without an extension will receive a mark but no comments

-Tasks submitted late without an extension will attract a penalty of 5% per working day or part thereof. See Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).
Dr Kate Flaherty
61257024
Kate.flaherty@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Dr Kate Flaherty

By Appointment
By Appointment
Dr Kate Flaherty
61257024
kate.flaherty@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Dr Kate Flaherty

By Appointment
By Appointment

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