Course Description

Prof. Gerald Pirog

gpirog@rci.rutgers.edu

732-932-7604

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Syllabus

Shades of Day -Notes

This course will examine two types of films that are connected to Dostoevsky's fiction: Cinematic "adaptations" of the novels or novellas, and films that have been influenced by his writings. I have chosen mostly non-Russian films for several reasons. Many western adaptations are more interesting than the typical Soviet versions. Dostoevsly was always a problem for Soviet critics and this is reflected, as we will see in Kulidzhanov's Crime and Punishment, in filmic versions. A second logistic reason is that most Russian versions do not come with subtitles.

Specifically we will study the following films:

Cinematic adaptations:

1.     Crime and Punishment (Chenal, Von Sternberg, Kulidzhanov)

2.     The Idiot(Kurosawa, Bortko)

3.     Notes from Underground (Walkow)

4.     A Gentle Creature (Bresson)

5.     The Gambler (Makk)

6.     White Nights (Bresson, Visconti)

Films influenced by Dostoevsky's writings:

1.     New York Stories (Scorsese , Life Lessons, The Gambler)

2.     Affliction (Schrader, Brothers Karamazov)

3.     Partner (Bertolucci, The Double)

4.     Shades of Day (Sumin, White Nights)

The course is as much a course on cinema as on literature. We will be concerned with formal cinematic issues: camera angles, depth of field, arrangement in space, lighting, music, etc. You should give close attention to the way a film LOOKS as well as how it treats Dostoevsky's work. We will be considering what happens when a text in one medium--language--is transformed into another medium--film.

Each Tuesday we will screen a film. Thursdays will be devoted to discussion. You should read all the works we are discussing in advance of the screening.

Reading assignments will be available online at e-reserve or directly from the course's website. If you have not read the works that are related to the films, you should include that as part of the reading assignment. See Links page for texts.

Course Requirements:

1.     Attendance: You are required to be present at every class. Two absences are automatically excused but you are still required to do the readings and view the films. Any more than two absences for what ever reason may affect your grade. (20% of grade)

2.     Readings are to be done by the day they are assigned. If you have not yet read the relevant work by Dostoevsky, you are required to read it by the relevant film date.

3.     Participation: You will get extra consideration in the day of final reckoning if you have contributed to discussions in class. I understand that some students just can't speak up in a strange group. I will try to create an atmosphere where discussion is encouraged and facilitated. It is the life of the class. (10% of grade)

4.     Writing: You will be required to send me an e-mail "journal" entry each week by Friday 6:00 PM. A short (250-350 words) response to the films and the readings is required each week. It will comprise 20% of your grade.

5.     Two short (5-6 page) essays on topics to be announced early in the semester. (25% each)

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Course Description  

Shades of Day -Notes

Syllabus

Prof. Gerald Pirog

gpirog@rci.rutgers.edu

732-932-7604

Academic Calendar

Film Notes

Prof. Gerald Pirog

gpirog@rci.rutgers.edu

732-932-7604

Home

Syllabus

Course Description