Instructor Access (optional grading support) for Unlimited Access families is available for this course!

Continue to advance your critical thinking skills through the analysis of literature and film. Join us as we go deep into the study of literary devices and how they translate into film.  

How to get the most out of Books to Film, Part Two with Sharon Weis:

• First, read the course materials below before watching the first class recording.

• Then have a notebook ready and available for class notes.

• Watch films on odd classes before class meetings; read the assigned book pages before even numbered classes.
  

• Watch that class's recording if you need to revisit information from our live session.

• Do the assignments, quizzes, and any extra work assigned for that class.

• Once the course is completed to the parent's and professor’s satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records.

Special notes: This is Part Two of a two-part course. Though students can sign up for both parts or take the courses independently, it is recommended that students sign up for and complete both courses.

Important: Disregard any reference to Moodle. Please contact me with any questions for clarification as you proceed through the course.

Total Classes: 12

Duration: 55 minutes

Prerequisite: None

Suggested Grade Level: 11th to 12th grade; 9th to 10th grade students are welcome on the parents’ judgment since some movies contain mature themes (see the list of movies under the Course Outline).

Suggested Credit: One full semester English, Literature, or Film & Literary Analysis

Instructor: Sharon Hamric-Weis, B.S.ED, J.D.

Instructor email: sweis@homeschoolconnections.com

Course Description: This course continues literary analysis of written and cinematic works and their accompanying writing assignments to strengthen your student’s critical thinking, literary analysis, and upper-level writing skills. Using movies as well as published works, students study structure, character development, scene, setting, plot, and theme – with the purpose of preparing for the study of literature at the college level. Students will view movies biweekly with a parent or on their own in order to discuss the elements of literature. On alternate weeks, class discussion will focus on selected texts only, while employing critical thinking skills. This high-interest course continues your student’s ability to enhance critical thinking, analysis, and writing skills using classical works – while enjoying learning at the same time.

Course Outline:

• Class 1: Analyzing Quo Vadis

  • Part I -- Scene and setting presented in the movie

• Class 2: Analyzing Quo Vadis

  • Part II -- Comparison of scene and setting from movie to book

• Class 3: Analyzing Gulliver’s Travels

  • Part I -- Theme presented in the movie

• Class 4: Analyzing Gulliver’s Travels

  • Part II -- Comparison of theme from movie to book

• Class 5: Analyzing A Tale of Two Cities

  • Part I -- Plot and conflict presented in the movie

• Class 6: Analyzing A Tale of Two Cities

  • Part II -- Comparison of plot and conflict from movie to book

• Class 7: Analyzing Ben Hur

  • Part I -- Character development presented in the movie

• Class 8: Analyzing Ben Hur

  • Part II -- Comparison of character development from movie to book

• Class 9: Analyzing Great Expectations

  • Part I -- Plot twist

• Class 10: Analyzing Great Expectations

  • Part II -- Comparison of plot twist from movie to book

• Class 11: Analyzing Les Miserables (1982 version)

  • Part I -- Character arc

• Class 12: Analyzing Les Miserables

  • Part II -- Comparison of character arc from movie to book

Course Materials: Students will access available movies and books on their own or through resources provided. Because some of the classic works are secular, parents may wish to pre-screen the cinematic version and fast-forward through any potentially sensitive material. All analysis will be filtered through the faith-based, Catholic perspective.

Homework: Your student should expect to spend an estimated three to four hours on homework outside of class time, depending on the student’s ability. Homework includes reading, viewing films, automated quizzes on odd classes, and short essay assignments (1 to 2 pages) on even classes. To increase your student’s skills, the instructor grades writing assignments with direct feedback. It is recommended that students begin familiarizing themselves with the books before the first day of class, since there is substantial reading in this course. Class 11 may be used as a catch-up period at the instructor's discretion, and the focus of Class 12 may be limited to discussion of the movie Les Miserables only.

If you have any questions please contact us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com.

©2023 Homeschool Connections and Sharon Hamric-Weis, B.S.ED, J.D. All rights reserved. This course is designed by Sharon Hamric-Weis, B.S.ED, J.D.

• This material is only to be used for its intended purpose by active subscribers of Homeschool Connections. Any other use without explicit permission is in violation of the seventh commandment (yes, the 7th commandment) and in violation of US and International copyright laws.

• You may print or download to local hard disk extracts for your personal homeschool and non-commercial use only. This is not to be used for homeschool co-ops without express written permission from Homeschool Connections.