Course coordinator
Associate Professor Ted Nannicelli
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Communication & Arts School
The course considers the changes that occur as particular texts move between various cultural forms. The media under consideration will include print, radio, theatre, television, film and videogames, but some adaptations that change cultures rather than media, such as television formats and cross cultural stage adaptations will also be examined.
This course has been designed to look at the phenomenon of adaptation of "texts," broadly construed, both between various cultural forms and different cultural contexts. Because it is available to English, Film and Television, Drama, and Writing majors, it will draw on a range of disciplinary backgrounds for its approaches. The forms under consideration will include books, films, television programs, plays, videogames, comics, visual art, and popular music. The field of Adaptation Studies itself has recently been the site of many new and exciting developments which make this intellectually a very timely course.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Students should beﾠat an advanced level of their undergraduate study. The precise character of the previous related courses will have varying emphases, but the course itself is designed to be able to be taken in ways that allow students to draw on their previous training.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
6 units of advanced level courses from English, Film & Television, Drama or Writing major lists.
Course contact
Lecturer
Associate Professor Ted Nannicelli
Course staff
Tutor
Ms Keya Makar
Mr Daniel Lammin
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
The contact hours consist of a weekly 60 minute lecture and a 90 minute tutorial, both of which should be attended for satisfactory completion of the course.
As per University guidelines, you are expected to spend 10-12 hrs per week on the course, comprised of 3 contact hrs (at the lecture and tutorial) and 7-9 non-contact hours. The non-contact hours should be spent on the weekly readings, required and recommended, preparing for tutorials, reading and watching a wide range of adaptations to provide material for your research,ﾠand completing the assessment tasks.
Whilst every effort is made to place students in their preferred activity, it is not always possible for a student to be enrolled in their tutorial of choice. If you require assistance, please ensure that you email timetabling.commarts@enquire.uq.edu.au from your UQ student email with:
- Your name
- Your student ID
- The course code
- A list of three tutorial preferences (in order of preference)
- Reason for the change – e.g. timetable clash, elite athlete status, SAP
Teaching staff do not have access to change tutorials or help with timetables; all timetabling changes must be processed through the Timetabling Team.
Aims and outcomes
1. To introduce interdisciplinary approaches to the study of adaptation,ﾠ encouraging students to develop a more nuanced and criticalﾠ understanding of this cultural practice
2. To encourage students to question hierarchies of value based in media forms or origins, and to reflect upon the basis of evaluative judgments of cultural forms and works
3. To use the study of adaptation to foster critical thinking about the natureﾠ of media, artforms, and "texts"
4. To provide a site where literary, theatrical and screen-based approaches can mutually inform one another, and foster critical reflection upon disciplines in which students are trained and humanistic enquiry more generally
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand the specific qualities of a range of media and how these relate to the production of particular "texts" and the adaptation of "texts" across media
LO2.
Understand how particular cultures influence the production of different versions of a "text."
LO3.
Critically analyze, orally and in writing, different versions of the same original "text," drawing on salient theoretical work to construct an original argument.
LO4.
Critically reflect upon criteria for the evaluation of adaptations and other cultural forms and construct cogent arguments in support of particular evaluative judgments.
LO5.
Understand the factors influencing the frequency of adaptations and the ways in which content may be designed simultaneously for many forms.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation |
Oral Presentation
|
25% |
Week 2 - Week 13
In-person during tutorials. Sign up for oral presentations during the first tutorial in Week 1. |
| Essay/ Critique | Critical Analysis | 35% 1000 words |
24/03/2025 4:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final Examination
|
40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
Assessment details
Oral Presentation
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
Week 2 - Week 13
In-person during tutorials. Sign up for oral presentations during the first tutorial in Week 1.
Task description
For these presentations, students will be expected to present a critical analysis of one or two works (e.g. analyse one or two adaptations, or one source and one adaptation, etc) in conjunction with the set reading(s) of the week of the presentation.
The oral presentation shall be for a maximum of seven minutes, followed by a discussion for a maximum of five minutes. (The discussion should be based on audience questions, but presenters should also be prepared to initiate conversation if necessary.) The works should be chosen to relate to the topic of the week in which the analysis is being presented, and the analysis should also critically engage with the set readings of the course as relevant.
Students should NOT read directly from a written script (although notes are permitted). Presentations are expected to be supported by visual aids such as slides or photos, but audio-visual clips should be brief because they count as part of the seven minutes of presentation time.
Recording of Oral and Practical Assessment:
- All presentations will be recorded for marking purposes via recording facilities available where the assessment takes place (eg. ECHO360, Zoom, camera device)
- Recordings will be retained by the School of Communication and Arts for at least 12 months from the release of the final grade for the course.
- Recordings will be stored in a secure manner and will only be accessed by authorised school staff for the purposes of:
- Moderation of marking;
- Provision of feedback to the student(s) recorded; and/or
- Re-marking following a successful re-mark application
A note on AI:
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
This assessment task is to be completed in person. Students are NOT able to apply for an extension via the Unitask portal for this assessment item. Please contact your tutor/course coordinator directly to see if alternative arrangements are available.
Late submission
Late submission is not possible for this assessment.
Critical Analysis
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 35% 1000 words
- Due date
24/03/2025 4:00 pm
Task description
For this essay, you must critically review the arguments against and for the relevance of fidelity made by Robert Stam ("Beyond Fidelity") and Paisley Livingston ("On the Appreciation of Cinematic Adaptations"), respectively.
The first half of your essay should reconstruct each of their arguments, noting the relative merits and drawbacks (if any) of each.
The second half of your essay should take a side with one of the authors or the other. You should explain which of the authors' arguments is more persuasive and why. Essays that achieve high distinction will be able to supplement additional, original points in support of the view they defend.
You may wish to discuss an example or two, but description of examples should be brief and used only to support the your argument.
You may refer to Hutcheon's A Theory of Adaptation, but should not reference any additional secondary sources.
A note on AI:
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit via TurnItIn on Blackboard.
TurnItIn Receipts:
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial.
When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can:
- View the name of the submitted file
- View date and time of the upload
- Resubmit your paper (if necessary)
- Download your submitted paper
- Download digital receipt.
If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work).
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached.
Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final Examination
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
Task description
Inspera Assessment will be used in ENGL3030: Adaptation in the form of an invigilated, on-campus digital exam, which students will complete using their own device (or a loaned device from the UQ Library). Refer to Inspera Assessment which includes an introduction to Inspera functionality and where to go for support. Further information will be provided on the Blackboard site for this course in Week 1 of the semester, and practice opportunities will be available throughout the semester.
A 120 minute Inspera examination comprising short essay questions about course content including set readings and lectures.
There will be 4 short essay questions to answer; each question is worth 10 marks each. The questions will test your comprehension of the major ideas and debates covered in the course, as well as your ability to think critically about them and to apply the skills and understanding you have developed to different examples or contexts.
A note on AI:
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - specified written materials permitted |
| Materials | 1) Laptop compatible with Inspera 2) A sheet of double-sided A4 paper with handwritten or typed notes (min 10 point font) |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
UQ is presently rolling out a new assessment tool, Inspera Assessment. Inspera Assessment provides additional functionality to complement the existing suite of digital learning tools at UQ with a greater range of question types and accessibility provisions.
Inspera Assessment will be used for this invigilated on-campus digital assessment and students in this course will complete this using their own device. Details about Inspera Assessment, including an introduction to Inspera functionality and where to go for support, are available here: https://elearning.uq.edu.au/student-guides-original/inspera-assessment-original
Further information will be provided on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
- Where fractional marks occur in the calculation of the final grade, a mark of x.5% or greater will be rounded up to (x+1)%. A percentage mark of less than x.5% will be rounded down to x%.
- Where no assessable work is received, a Grade of X will apply.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
- Further information regarding the assessment, including marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
- Marks Cannot Be Changed After Being Released: Marks are not open to negotiation with course staff. If you wish to discuss the feedback you have received, you should make an appointment to speak with the Course Coordinator.
- Assessment Re-mark: If you are considering an Assessment Re-mark, please follow the link to important information you should consider before submitting a request.
- Integrity Pledge: Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin. Before submitting any assignments for this course, you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Modules.ﾠIn uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
- Withholding marks prior to finalisation of grades: Per UQ Assessment Procedures – Release of Assessment Item Marks and Grades: The final assessment item and the marks for the assessment item are to be released only after the final grade for the course has been released.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Not scheduled |
Tutorial |
Week 13 Tutorial: |
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Lecture |
Week 1 Lecture: Introduction to Adaptation Studies |
Tutorial |
Week 1 Tutorial: Tutorials start in Week 1. Sign up for oral presentations during this first tutorial. Contact your tutor for a presentation slot if you are unable to attend tutorial. |
|
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Lecture |
Week 2 Lecture: The Adaptation Industry |
Tutorial |
Week 2 Tutorial: |
|
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Lecture |
Week 3 Lecture: Fidelity and the Appreciation of Adaptations |
Tutorial |
Week 3 Tutorial: |
|
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Lecture |
Week 4 Lecture: Medium Specificity and Adaptation |
Tutorial |
Week 4 Tutorial: |
|
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Lecture |
Week 5 Lecture: Comics and Adaptation |
Tutorial |
Week 5 Tutorial: |
|
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Lecture |
Week 6 Lecture: Videogames and Adaptation |
Tutorial |
Week 6 Tutorial: |
|
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Lecture |
Week 7 Lecture: Theater and Adaptation |
Tutorial |
Week 7 Tutorial: |
|
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Week 8: NO LECTURE OR TUTORIAL Reading/Writing Week |
Mid-sem break (21 Apr - 27 Apr) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
MID-SEMESTER BREAK |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Lecture |
Week 9 Lecture: Myth, Fairytale, and Adaptation |
Tutorial |
Week 9 Tutorial: |
|
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
Lecture |
Week 10 Lecture: Adaptation and Appropriation in Contemporary Art |
Tutorial |
Week 10 Tutorial: |
|
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Lecture |
Week 11 Lecture: Transcultural Adaptation, Cultural Appropriation and Popular Music |
Tutorial |
Week 11 Tutorial: |
|
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Lecture |
Week 12 Lecture: Conclusion |
Tutorial |
Week 12 Tutorial: |
|
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Tutorial |
Week 13: Tutorial: This is tutorial is being added, post cyclone, to allow for make-up presentations and additional contact time to assist with preparation for the final examination. |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
Course guidelines
Communication Expectations
While you are a student at UQ, all communication must be conducted according to the UQ Student Code of Conduct. The UQ Library has a helpful Communicate and collaborate online module.
- Email is the primary way for you to send messages to, and receive information from, the School and our staff.
- You must use your UQ email address (not a private address) to communicate with staff.
- You should add a clear subject line, including course code, and a 2-3 word statement.
- You can send email at any time, however please do not expect responses outside normal working hours (Monday to Friday from ~8am to ~5pm).
- Emails that constitute bullying, harassment or discrimination against staff contravene the Student Code of Conduct. Emails like this will be reported to the University, and the matter will be pursued as misconduct.