If any profession is dominating the news nowadays, it’s the law. Is it because we’re a litigious society at heart? Or that our view of the US as a “nation of laws” is being challenged? Or just the sheer drama of the courtroom? Come join us to explore these and related topics. One fact is not in dispute: legal issues make for some very compelling storytelling.
Over the 10 weeks, we will read and discuss a book one week, a film (to be viewed at home) the next. We WON’T be comparing the print and film versions of the same works. Books will be readily available through the Minuteman Library system or as inexpensive used books on Amazon. Films will all be available as rental CDs, free on Kanopy, or at small rental fees from major streaming services or YouTube. The list of films will be sent to those who register in the class.
Because there are so many great books and films under the broad heading of “legal thriller,” we are considering developing a second course with the same format to be offered some time in the future. So consider this Part 1. Part 2 would present different books and films. This will be a discussion course, with alternative weeks devoted to books and movies. We WON’T be comparing the print and film versions of the same works. We WILL be looking at related topics in the book-movie pairings.
Weekly prep time for each book will be at least 2-3 hours depending on the length of book and your reading speed; the films will typically be about 2 hours.