ELISE ACKER
Staff Writer
Considering his time spent as a visiting faculty member in Heidelberg and London, his development of the Great Books Colloquium and his six years as Social Science Division chair, Dr. Michael Gose has become a campus staple since he began teaching at Pepperdine in 1980.
But to focus on only these aspects of Gose’s career is to overlook his contributions to Pepperdine’s film course offerings and to the students.
For many years, Pepperdine did not offer courses on motion picture studies, and Gose said he felt a desire to change that.
“Given our Malibu location and the widespread interest of Seaver students in film, I felt that we simply had to have some sort of film program,” Gose said.
The professor of teacher education also said he admits wanting to meet local movie stars such as Jimmy Stewart, Gregory Peck, Mel Gibson, Genevieve Bujold and Jeff Bridges.
Over time, with encouragement from Gose and other faculty members, and with a nod of support from Provost Darryl Tippens, Pepperdine introduced film classes such as African-American films, women and film, Asian film, religion and film, and film as art. A film minor was also introduced, in addition to Gose’s perspective on film class, which was added to the curriculum in 1987.
“I think film is an especially valuable way to present the imaginary experiences by which to try out what we are teaching and learning academically,” Gose said about the educational significance of motion pictures.
Gose said he hopes he has encouraged students to continue thinking about what they experience at the movies, and that they may realize that even mindless films have implicit values.
Gose said he became a lover of cinema early in life. As a child, he watched Durango Kid’s Westerns and was later mesmerized by Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn in “The African Queen.”
His own collegiate studies furthered his interest in motion pictures.
Gose first experienced academic work in film through his literature professor, Marcia Kinder, at Occidental College, who later taught in USC’s film program.
Gose joined the production team in 2001 at the City of Angels Film Festival, which grew out of a dialogue between filmmakers and theologians who believe that spiritual perspectives are indispensable to the filmmaking process.
Those who organize the festival “are dedicated to screening quality works that not only celebrate film as art but also raise vital religious and social issues,” according to the festival’s Web site.
Oct. 21-23 marked the CAFF’s 12th annual film
festival.
Gose became involved with the festival when he planned to screen the controversial movie “Dogma” in his class. He said he felt it important to find a member of the Catholic Church to respond to the controversy surrounding the film.
In the process, he met Brian Oppenheimer, a parishioner at Our Lady of Malibu Catholic Church, who also participated in the City of Angels Film Festival. Oppenheimer invited Gose to attend the festival.
Gose said the experience is affirming for anyone who appreciates the intellectual and spiritual insight that one can expect from this type of festival.
Within the Pepperdine community, Gose is known for his challenging methods of instruction and his close relationship with his students.
“I would say he’s probably the toughest and most rewarding professor I’ve ever had,” former Great Books student Grace Hall said.
“He doesn’t pull any punches or sugar-coat anything,” she said. “He’ll tell you if you’re wrong and have a stupid answer, but that challenges you to find the right one.”
Hall said taking Great Books with Gose helped give her a comprehension of literature with ideas that she can recognize and apply in her daily life.
“When I finished up my undergraduate work, Gose’s classes made up about a third of my degree at Pepperdine,” alumna Cory King said. “He was about 90 percent of what I learned in terms of academic, life, personal and spiritual skills.”
King said Gose was a chief source of encouragement throughout her sophomore year, which was marked by personal struggles.
“If it weren’t for him, I would have made different decisions in life and not for the better,” she said. “He was very supportive.”
Gose teaches Great Books III and IV and offers his film class in the spring semester.
11-03-2005
