2008 Woodie Awards
Language, cultural enhancement goal of monthly Spanish film series
Joey Vonhaeger
Issue date: 11/2/06 Section: Culture
By Joey Vonhaeger
Staff Reporter
Award-winning films, scheduled by the Spanish department, are designed to introduce students to different Spanish dialects.
The films are shown once a month in Brock 201 and consist of major movies in Spanish culture from around the world. Spanish professor Debra Dickerson organizes the events and has selected the movies the past six years.
"I usually try to pick films that are either very popular or new releases or have won several awards at film festivals, but that also cover serious topics," she said. Dickerson also makes sure the language in the films are very practical and can help the students to grow in their understanding of the different dialects of Spanish.
Megan Hollenbeck, a Soddy Daisy, Tenn., junior said she attends the Spanish film series for both extra credit and the cultural experience.
"You kind of kill two birds with one stone," Hollenbeck said. "You can get some cultural entertainment and some credit on the side."
Oralia Preble-Niemi, the head of the Spanish department, said she believes the videos are very important in teaching students more about the cultures of Latin countries and of Spain.
The videos are not only for Spanish majors or students that are currently in a Spanish course, but are open to all student and faculty of the university.
Hollenbeck said she would recommend the film series to students.
"It is a really good thing for students to go to," she said." "It is an easy, cheap way for students to learn abut a different culture."
There is only one video left for this semester and it will be shown on Nov. 20, but students can look forward to more films next semester.
Staff Reporter
Award-winning films, scheduled by the Spanish department, are designed to introduce students to different Spanish dialects.
The films are shown once a month in Brock 201 and consist of major movies in Spanish culture from around the world. Spanish professor Debra Dickerson organizes the events and has selected the movies the past six years.
"I usually try to pick films that are either very popular or new releases or have won several awards at film festivals, but that also cover serious topics," she said. Dickerson also makes sure the language in the films are very practical and can help the students to grow in their understanding of the different dialects of Spanish.
Megan Hollenbeck, a Soddy Daisy, Tenn., junior said she attends the Spanish film series for both extra credit and the cultural experience.
"You kind of kill two birds with one stone," Hollenbeck said. "You can get some cultural entertainment and some credit on the side."
Oralia Preble-Niemi, the head of the Spanish department, said she believes the videos are very important in teaching students more about the cultures of Latin countries and of Spain.
The videos are not only for Spanish majors or students that are currently in a Spanish course, but are open to all student and faculty of the university.
Hollenbeck said she would recommend the film series to students.
"It is a really good thing for students to go to," she said." "It is an easy, cheap way for students to learn abut a different culture."
There is only one video left for this semester and it will be shown on Nov. 20, but students can look forward to more films next semester.
