COURSE SCHEDULE

 Overview of the Course      Course Schedule      List of Recommended Films

Theme:  Introduction and Overview

Week 1:  1/25

Introduction to the course; Getting to know each other

Lecture:  Overview of American colleges and universities.  Overview of the American college student.  (Chris Golde)

Week 2:  2/1

Lecture:  How to watch films, especially the narrative structure of film. (TBA)

Extended film clips for discussion about how to watch movies and the media portrayal of colleges.

Due:  Intention to make film for final project

Theme:  Why go to college? What is the purpose of college?

Week 3:  2/8

Movie:  Good Will Hunting

Week 4:  2/15

Discussion:  What is the purpose of college? What is the value of a college education?

Due:  Short paper 1

Theme: Teaching and Learning

Lecture:  Teaching and learning (Chris Carlson-Dakes, Assistant Director, CCAE)

Week 5:  2/22

Movie:  The Paper Chase

Week 6:  3/1

Discussion:  What constitutes true teaching and learning? 

Due:  Short paper 2

Theme: Partying and Socializing

Lecture:  Sex, drugs, and rock and roll (Paul Grossberg, Physician, University Health Services)

Week 7:  3/8

Movie:  Where the Boys Are

Week 8:  3/22

Discussion:  What is the appropriate role of social life in the college experience?

Theme: Athletics

Lecture:  College athletics (Dawn Crim, former Assistant Women's Basketball Coach)

Week 9:  3/29

Movie:  The Program

Week 10:  4/5

Discussion:  Should colleges support athletics?

Theme: Diversity

Lecture:  Diversity on campus (Jen Gilbride-Brown)

Week 11:  4/12

Movie:  Higher Learning

Week 12:  4/19

Discussion:  What is the appropriate role of a college campus in creating a more pluralistic and multicultural society?

Due:  Final Paper Topics

Theme: Identity Development and the impact of college

Lecture:  How students change during college (Scott Seyforth and Sarah Phelps)

Week 13:  4/26

Movie:  Educating Rita

Week 14:  5/3 (NOTE CLASS EXTENDED TIL 6 pm)

Discussion: Should we expect college to change each student?  Are some kinds of changes better or more desirable?

Movie:  Now and Then

Week 15:  5/10

Discussion:  How does college change people’s lives?  Are the impacts predictable?

Final course evaluations

Due:  Final papers and Narrative Evaluations