This is our catalog of courses. We will occasionally adjust the course listing to reflect the addition of new courses and the retirement of others.
In this course you will 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.
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
Give your student an enjoyable way to engage in upper-level literary analysis and to advance critical thinking and writing skills through written and cinematic work critique. Using movies and 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 view movies biweekly with a parent or independently in order to discuss and understand the elements of literature. On alternate weeks, class discussion focuses on the analysis of selected texts, enhancing critical thinking skills with classics in an enjoyable learning setting that digs deep into each concept and teaches the student how to approach upper-level analysis of fiction works.
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, 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 Watch the 1956 version; clips from the newer version will be shown in class.
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 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 on homework outside of class time, depending on the student’s ability and commitment. Homework includes reading, viewing films, taking automated quizzes on odd weeks, and completing short essay assignments (1 to 2 pages) on even weeks. Writing assignments are graded by the instructor. 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.
