Redefining Adaptation Studies

Edited by Dennis Cutchins; Laurence Raw and James M. Welsh

Since films were first produced, adapted works have predominantly borrowed primarily from traditional texts, such as novels and plays. Likewise, the study of film adaptations has also been fairly traditional, rarely venturing beyond a comparison of the source material to its often less revered counterpart. Redefining Adaptation Studies breaks new ground in showing the range of possibilities that transcend the literature/film paradigm. These essays focus on the idea of 'adaptation' and what it means in different socio-political contexts. Above all, this collection shows how cultural and political factors determine the meaning of the term and its potential for developing new approaches to learning.

The contributors to this volume look at adaptation in different contexts and develop new ways to approach adaptation, not just as a literature-through-film issue but as something which can be used to develop other skills, such as creative writing and personal and social skills. Aimed at teachers in high schools and universities at the under- and postgraduate levels, this volume not only suggests how 'adaptation' might be used in different disciplines, but how it might improve the learning experience for teachers and students alike.

Scarecrow Press

Pages: 196 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼

978-0-8108-7298-1 • Paperback • February 2010 • $82.00 • (£63.00)

Subjects: Performing Arts / Film / History & Criticism, Performing Arts / Film / Screenwriting

Redefining Adaptation Studies

Paperback

Summary

Since films were first produced, adapted works have predominantly borrowed primarily from traditional texts, such as novels and plays. Likewise, the study of film adaptations has also been fairly traditional, rarely venturing beyond a comparison of the source material to its often less revered counterpart. Redefining Adaptation Studies breaks new ground in showing the range of possibilities that transcend the literature/film paradigm. These essays focus on the idea of 'adaptation' and what it means in different socio-political contexts. Above all, this collection shows how cultural and political factors determine the meaning of the term and its potential for developing new approaches to learning.

The contributors to this volume look at adaptation in different contexts and develop new ways to approach adaptation, not just as a literature-through-film issue but as something which can be used to develop other skills, such as creative writing and personal and social skills. Aimed at teachers in high schools and universities at the under- and postgraduate levels, this volume not only suggests how 'adaptation' might be used in different disciplines, but how it might improve the learning experience for teachers and students alike.

Details

Scarecrow Press

Pages: 196 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼

978-0-8108-7298-1 • Paperback • February 2010 • $82.00 • (£63.00)

Subjects: Performing Arts / Film / History & Criticism, Performing Arts / Film / Screenwriting

Author

Dennis Cutchins is associate professor of English at Brigham Young University, where he teaches adaptation studies, as well as American and western literature.

Laurence Raw teaches at Baskent University. He is the author of Adapting Henry James to the Screen (2006), Adapting Nathaniel Hawthorne to the Screen (2008), and The Ridley Scott Encyclopedia (2009), all published by Scarecrow Press.

James M. Welsh is professor emeritus of English at Salisbury University. He is the coeditor of The Literature/Film Reader (2007) and No Country for Old Men: From Novel to Film (2009), both published by Scarecrow Press.

Reviews

A superb resource for teachers....Practical and theoretically aware; will be of service to those who teach courses that involve screen adaptation. Recommended.
— Choice Reviews

Redefining Adaptation Studies

Edited by Dennis Cutchins; Laurence Raw and James M. Welsh

Redefining Adaptation Studies

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