By David Schlais
Staff Writer
It’s been a long haul, but Professor Dr. Michael Gose has pulled it together.
Gose started pushing to introduce the film minor into Pepperdine’s curriculum back in 1986. Gose said that since the introduction of his “Social Science in Films” course in 1987, he’s seen an overwhelming student response to the study of film.
Years later, with help from professors in multiple divisions, Gose has composed the approved curriculum for the new Pepperdine minor. Starting next semester, classes will begin for those interested in a 17-unit minor in film studies.
“You believe what is on screen unless you personally know otherwise,” Gose said.
His major goal for the minor is to place emphasis on a film’s content, something lacking from some other accredited film schools. Beginning next semester, his course titled “Social Science in Films: Heroes, Superheroes and Anti-heroes” will examine the content and artistic license of films, exploring such films as “Indiana Jones,” “Star Wars” and many other mainstream films.
Other current classes taught in the minor include “Women in Film” and “African-American Studies in Film,” taught by Professor Joi Carr.
Lectures by actors and directors such as Mel Gibson, who has spoken in social science classes in past years, will also be part of the curriculum. Although of particular interest to telecommunication and theater majors, the response to the idea has come from a wider array of students as well.
“They need more opportunities like this at Pepperdine University,” said sophomore English major Alison Lienau. “Even though I’m interested in film, I did not want to join the telecom division. A film minor would help me in exploring the field.”
As a minor, film studies has appealed to upperclassmen as well.
“It makes sense to have a film minor because the prominence of the film industry in the area,” junior political science major Lacey Horton said. “A lot of Pepperdine students come here with the industry in the back of their mind. The film minor allows them to explore that idea.”
Though the minor won’t be introduced until next semester, students do not have to wait to be active in the minor. On Nov. 1-2, the Pepperdine-sponsored “Ninth City of the Angels Film Festival” will have 200 tickets and four busses available for interested students. For additional information regarding the film minor, students can contact Gose in the Humanities Division at ext. 4183.
Film Minor Fast Facts: (Required classes)
ART 315: Film as Art
GSGS 111/311: A Social Science Perspective on Film
AAS 431: African-Americans in Film
COM 410: Writing for Screen and Television
ITAL 461: Italian Cinema and Culture
WMST 441: Women and Film
* Total of 17 units required for a film studies minor
October 03, 2002