Economy of words, resonance and the play between traditional and untraditional structure are shared values which make short stories and feature films related forms. And yet the successful adaptation of a great short story into a great movie is rare. The primary point of this class is to write a full-length screenplay which is an adaptation of an existing short story. Students will also read a selection of stories by such authors as J.D. Salinger, Alice Munro, James Salter and Richard Ford and watch a selection of movies by screenwriters including Robert Towne, Mike Leigh, Woody Allen, and Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor. In two short papers, students will consider the results of selected adaptations and analyze the transitions from story to movie; they will also be expected to try their own hand at an adaptation. Format: discussion/seminar. Requirements: a full-length screenplay and two short analytical papers. Prerequisite: a 100-level English course, except 150. Enrollment limit: 20 (expected: 20). (Post 1900)

Hour: COCHRAN