Semester 1

October, 13th, 15th, 20th, 22nd, 27th, 29th- 4pm to 8pm

November, 30th; December, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th- 4pm to 8pm

Room: PN18

Adaptation: what, where, when, why? –Donata Meneghelli and Massimo Fusillo

The course will tackle the phenomenon of adaptation in the contemporary cultural and technological environment, focusing on some of its multifarious manifestations (which range from cinematic, theatrical, and TV adaptations to fan fiction, sequels and spin-offs, web series, only to mention a few of them). The course will give prominence to contemporary adaptations of literary classics (including contemporary classics), the canon, and the ‘great tradition’ in general, and – through the analysis of some specific case-studies – try to particularly highlight the following issues:

• Why has adaptation become such a widespread phenomenon in the contemporary environment? Is such a diffusion only due to the multiplication of technological channels and supports, or does it imply more profound social processes and needs?
• What is the role of parody in the new wave of adaptation(s)?
• In this new context, how to tackle the much discussed and apparently evergreen issue of fidelity?
• How does adaptation impact on or presuppose the hybridisation of languages and media? Does it foster a reconceptualisation and a re-enactment of the ‘total work of art’?
• On the other hand, how do we reconcile the now well established notions of ‘transmedial storytelling’ and/or intermediality with any idea of medium-specificity?
• How does adaptation relate to the dramatic shift that Jim Collins has called the “popularisation of literary culture”?