Dr. Zachary Walton, associate professor of communication, has a new way for students to earn their arts and lecture credits—attend the weekly viewings for his Studies in Cinema class.
Walton’s class watches movies and documentaries at 7 p.m. every Sunday in Centennial 109. Even students who are not in the class may come and receive an arts and lecture credit. Walton said he wanted to open the class to the larger Bluffton community so people have the opportunity to see great films. Walton chose to start the films at 7 p.m. to reduce potential student conflicts. The next film to be shown will be Citizen Kane on Sept. 16.
“Even though it’s a weird time,” said Walton. “I’m hoping that it’s something seen as an opportunity to do something different – to watch films and discuss them.”
During the first couple weeks of this event, the only people in attendance were the students enrolled in the class. Many students are still learning about the option. Hannah Wagner, biology major with a pre-veterinary medicine concentration major, said she didn’t know about it because she hasn’t seen any signs.
“I would be more likely to go watch a movie on Sunday night, rather than to go to a regular Forum on Tuesdays,” said Wagner.
Walton said he sees this class, the arts and lecture credit and the watching of classic and powerful films as an opportunity to build community. He said if more people attend the events, he may consider continuing the showings, even after the course is over.
“I’m hoping that someday a student or students might get so excited about something like this, and end up forming a film appreciation club or something along those lines,” Walton said.
Although this is the fourth time this course has been offered, it is the first time it can be used as arts and lecture credit. The class covers the history, technology, cinematic techniques of production of storytelling, mixed with some film theory and cultural theory.
For more information, contact Walton.
