Alexa Valadez
Staff Writer
Spanish 151 and 152, 251 and 252. Advanced Grammar and Basic Translation. Literature of Spanish-America. Spanish cinema: Buñuel to Bardem?
The Spring 2007 schedule of classes offers students an interesting new Spanish course. The class, taught by Dr. Paul Begin, focuses on the roots of Spanish cinema, starting with surrealism and culminating with contemporary issues.
It is on Mondays from 6 to 10 p.m., and will be quite different from other Spanish courses. Begin envisions the class as more of a “coffee shop thing,” where students can watch a film and then discuss it in a comfortable setting.
This professor clearly understands the growing need for a variety of courses in the Spanish curriculum. Classes that go beyond the basics of language requirements are appealing.
Begin’s course in Spanish cinema will definitely go beyond the basics, being educational and entertaining at the same time. “When I was here as a student we had only one class in addition” says Begin, “Culture of Latin America.”
Begin graduated from Pepperdine University with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish in 1999. True to Pepperdine tradition, he met his wife in class, during the Great Books Colloquium seminar, and the two were married a month after graduation.
After marriage and graduation, the couple started a life together in graduate school. They moved to the University of Virginia, where Begin earned his master’s and a doctorate in Spanish. In January 2006, Dr. Begin returned to Pepperdine not as a student, but as the assistant professor of Spanish.
Dr. Begin relates well to students, and it is not simply because he attended Pepperdine. Like countless others here, Begin was raised in Southern California and enjoys surfing.
He also studied in Spain through Pepperdine. Now he tries to go back every May, to visit the Biblioteca Nacional, where it is okay to have cigarettes and lighters but not water. “It’s Spanish,” he says with a laugh, “it’s totally illogical.”
The shelves in Dr. Begin’s SAC office are overflowing with books that peer out with their bold and bright colors, spines that scream out stories from Spain.
Begin’s taste in reading material reflects his academic interests, and his musical preferences are like those of most college students. Though he listens to a variety of genres, Begin enjoys indie rock. Among his favorites are Steve Malkmus, The New Amsterdams and The Velvet Underground.
“I’ve read a lot of good stuff, it’s hard to pick,” he says, when asked who his favorite author is. Several unknown and complicated sounding names spew forth, though Clarín gets repeated recognition.
Throughout his studies, Begin noticed the unlikely relationship between popular music in America and Great Britain, and writing in Spain. From his observations blossomed his dissertation, Anglo-American Rock in Peninsular “Generation X” Fiction.
The hefty 320-paged book is intimidating at first, but the topic is undeniably unique. Its focus on rock music in contemporary Spanish narrative includes mentions of Elvis, David Bowie, the Rolling Stones and countless other musicians.
Topics like these have the potential to appeal to younger scholars, to attract attention and to maintain it as well. Even something as typically dry and dreary as a dissertation becomes intriguing and interesting.
This keen grasp of taking a different approach and spicing things up is what makes Dr. Begin a wonderful addition to the International Studies and Languages Division. The upcoming Spanish cinema course is only the beginning.
Dr. Begin is considering devoting a whole course to well-known and world-renowned director Luis Buñuel. Though a few of his films will be studied in this spring’s class, an entire semester could very well be spent on the surrealist, who is notorious for his absurd and dark humor.
Buñuel’s films address living beyond culture, reality, bourgeoisie constraints. This is all evident in “Phantom of Liberty,” one of Buñuel’s last films. He may not be popular with all viewers, but he definitely makes an impact. “He’s just trying to provoke people,” Begin explains, “to shock is chic.”
Although spring semester has yet to arrive, Begin is already looking toward the endless possibilities for future classes. Perhaps a course on contemporary literature in Spain, the Generation of 98 and the turn of the 19th century, or one that expands to the rest of European cinema.
Though Begin’s interest is undeniably rooted in Spain, it extends to other areas of Latin culture. He acknowledges that the Spanish department is still lacking in several respects. More professors are needed, with a variety of expertise.
Unlike so many other universities in Southern California, Pepperdine does not offer Chicano Studies. “We need a Chicano person,” Begin said. The Latino community is an integral part of California’s culture and is increasingly represented at Pepperdine. It is only reasonable for the courses to reflect its presence.
11-02-2006