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 the first class meeting.

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

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

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

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

• 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.

Total Classes: 12

Class Dates: Fridays, January 10 to April 11, 2025. (No class Feb. 14 or March 21)

Starting Time: 1:00 PM Eastern (noon Central; 11:00 Mountain; 10:00 Pacific)

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, BS Ed, JD

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 weeks, and short essay assignments (1 to 2 pages) on even weeks. 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. Week 11 may be used as a catch-up period at the instructor's discretion, and the focus of Week 12 may be limited to discussion of the movie Les Miserables only.

Fee: For all 12 classes: $207 if you register on or before November 15. $227 after Nov. 15. (Registration closes one week before the first day of class. After that date, registrations are not guaranteed. There is a $20 surcharge for late enrollments after the course is closed.)