Out of an abundance of caution in response to the spread of COVID-19, we have canceled all remaining seminars in the Winter/Spring 2020 term. Please visit www.newberry.org/covid19 for further updates.

Please email seminars@newberry.org with any questions.

Seminar Description

This seminar will present a lively survey of literary and film theory basics. Through literary excerpts, film clips, lecture, and discussion, our sessions will explore how writers, filmmakers, philosophers, and artists from Plato to Toni Morrison help us appreciate the importance of a good beginning, how characters and their thoughts are represented in literature and film, the effects of patterning and framing, why books and movies often rely on the same plots, and what’s up with adaptations.

Six sessions. E – $230, R – $253

Steven J. Venturino holds a PhD and is a former adjunct professor of English at Loyola University Chicago. He has led seminars at the Newberry since 2015 and is the author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Literary Theory and Criticism.

Materials List

Required:

• A selection of shorter materials distributed by the instructor.

First Reading:

• For the first session, please bring a list of 1) your top five favorite films and 2) your top five favorite works of fiction.

Registration Information

• Online registration opens at 9 am (CST) on Tuesday, January 7.
• Phone registration opens at 12 pm (CST) on Wednesday, January 8.

Early registration (E) prices are in effect from January 7 at 9 am through January 24 at 4 pm. Regular registration (R) prices are in effect January 24 at 4 pm through the end of the term.

We offer a 10% discount to members, seniors, and students.

Need Help? Please email seminars@newberry.org.

This seminar is part of the Newberry’s Seminars Program. Learn more about registering for a seminar, program policies and procedures, or teaching a seminar.