I don't know if we've covered this yet, but I was wondering how you guys handle films in class. In the past, for the most part, I've avoided showing full-length films in class, because in general I see that as a waste of class time. I usually put movies on reserve in the library, and then just show clips in class.
For my culture class, I'm thinking of showing Alatriste, which I bought in Spain, and is unavailable here, because it does a nice job of recreating Golden Age Madrid, and Ay Carmela, which is set in the Civil War.
So, do you guys ever show films over several class periods? If so, do you provide a study guide, or some sort of pedagogical apparatus?
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I show movies in class from time to time. I think the key is to have a good set of discussion questions prepared beforehand, including basic questions about plot points or names of characters just to keep them awake and following.
I just finished a course where I "wasted time" showing seven full-length films in class. I think there is great value watching a film together that cannot be reproduced individually. It's an experience--the lights go out and the dream begins. The movie becomes a collective dream experience where images flood the mind as they do each night while we sleep. I always ask one or two questions--not too many--before the film to get students to think about a particular matter. I also summarize briefly the film so the students can get a general idea of the plot, etc. This helps with the language issue. I found that the post-viewing discussions were rich. I always took notes during the film and came up with more questions to ask for the discussion afterward. Preview-view-post-discussion. Not a waste of time at all.
Yes, pre- and post-viewing questions are a must. I like to show film versions of literature that we read in the class. I'll often show a lengthy segment of the film before reading so as to give the students some imagery to connect the texts to.
Perhaps "waste of time" was a little extreme. I meant it in the sense that there are constructive ways to use film and less constructive ways. I would like to incorporate more film, but do it in such a way that it won't be perceived as simply filling time.
Ay, Carmela is a great one for the Civil War in a culture class.
No, no. It wasn't extreme at all. My English colleague does a film studies course every two years. She has students view films outside of class in their entirety and then she shows selected scenes in class for deeper analysis, etc. That's probably the way to go.
Yes, Ay carmela is a good one for the civil war. Pan's Labryinth is very good, too. A recent film from a Mexican director, I think.
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