The course offers a multi-aspectual approach to the popular novel and film in the Anglo-American context. It will trace the close relationship and interpenetration between 19th century “high” realist fiction and various forms of sensationalist literature, followed by the corresponding phenomena in the 20th century, with the appearance of the cinema and television. Students will be encouraged to investigate patterns of narrative sequence; character and behavioural stereotypes; stylistic devices and their specific rhetorical effects; gender issues and their representation; linguistic means of building ideological points of view. The material offered for critical examination includes samples from popular 19th century fiction, serialized film versions of classic realist texts (Ch. Dickens), 19th and 20th century detective literature and films (the Bond and Indiana Jones series), examples from romance literature and films (Harlequin). Attention is also paid to the sociology of the bestseller and the blockbuster movie.
- Teacher: Зелма Каталан Балинова