Our catalog of courses is complete. We will occasionally adjust the course listing to reflect the addition of new courses and the retirement of others.
This course is an enjoyable way for students to engage in upper-level literary analysis and to advance in critical thinking skills through both written and cinematic works. Using movies as well as published works, students will study structure, character development, scene, setting, plot, and theme with the purpose of preparing for the study of literature at the college level.
Total classes: 12
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 a list of movies under Course Outline).
Suggested credit: 1 full semester English, Literature, or Film & Literary Analysis
Description
This course is an enjoyable way for students to engage in upper-level literary analysis and to advance in critical thinking skills through both written and cinematic works. Using movies as well as published works, students will 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 the alternate weeks, class discussion will usually focus on selected texts only, while employing critical thinking skills. Your student will have the opportunity to enhance critical thinking skills with favorite books and movies while having fun at the same time.
Outline
Class 1: Analyzing The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Part I — Character development presented in the movie
Class 2: Analyzing The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Part II — Comparison of character development from book to movie
Class 3: Analyzing The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Part I — Scene and setting presented in the movie
Class 4: Analyzing The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Part II — Comparison of scene and setting from movie to book
Class 5: Analyzing The Hobbit
Part I — Plot and Conflict presented in the movie
Class 6: Analyzing The Hobbit
Part II — Comparison of plot and conflict from movie to book
Class 7: Analyzing Ender’s Game
Part I — Plot development presented in the movie
Class 8: Analyzing Ender’s Game
Part II — Comparison of plot development from movie to book
Class 9: Analyzing 1984
Part I — Theme
Class 10: Analyzing 1984
Part II — Comparison of theme from movie to book
Class 11: Analyzing I Robot
Part I — Theme presented in the movie
Class 12: Analyzing I Robot
Part II — Comparison of the theme from movie to book
Materials and Homework
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 for homework outside of class time, depending on the student’s ability. Homework includes reading, viewing films, taking automated quizzes on odd weeks (or completing an assignment in lieu of a quiz) and completing short essay assignments (1 to 2 pages) on even weeks. Writing assignments are graded by the parent unlessgrading services are requested. 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. Book readings may be adjusted at the instructor’s discretion.
