The College of Arts and Letters is introducing a new minor in Film Studies. The two pioneers of this minor are Professor Anthony Pennino and Edward Foster. “We live in a culture where information is delivered visually,” Foster explained in response to why this minor was conceived. “There is syntax and grammar to images which helps convey ideas in a way that can’t be effectively done with just language,” said Foster. “These techniques and ways are new, but sophisticated.”
This minor will pertain to the nature of Stevens. “Film-making is a marriage of technology and art,” said Pennino. “Students enjoy and respond to this medium. We hope to expand their horizons on the topic.”
“I know there is interest in the topic,” said Foster. “I have been teaching a film class for the past fifteen years. It is always inundated with students. Every semester I get flooded with requests from students who want to take the class.”
Foster and Pennino both have high hopes for this program. “We would eventually like to see it becoming a major,” said Foster. “In the fall, we’re introducing a new class, Introduction to Cinema. It will give students the proper historical background necessary [for the minor],” said Pennino.
Other classes that have been part of the college will now be part of the minor. Examples include History of American Film and Philosophy in Film. There are also some video courses in the Art program that will be incorporated in the minor.
“If the response is good, we hope to introduce additional courses in areas such as screenwriting, experimental films, and my personal favorite, French New Wave cinema,” said Pennino.
Foster and Pennino value the technology behind the film-making process. “We would be fools not to include it in the minor,” said Pennino. “Stanley Kubrick was a great director but also a technological innovator. He was able to manipulate a camera lens so it could operate in a room solely lit up by lights,” said Pennino. “The history of film is the history of technology.”
“We want to give students a broader perspective. Professor Pennino teaches literature classes while I teach mostly history courses. So we’re drawing in from different disciplines to make this enriching,” said Foster.
“We hope to attract students from all disciplines starting from the arts and humanities and going to the engineering and science majors,” said Pennino. “Filmmaking involves all disciplines,” said Foster. “You see what’s interesting is that the minor is designed to be partly in their comfort zone and partly in a new exciting space.”
The College of Arts and Letters encourages all students to come and check out the program for themselves. If students have any questions regarding the program, they should not hesitate in contacting Professor Foster or Professor Pennino. They hope to surprise and relate to all students of all interests since filmmaking has the ability to seamlessly blend all areas together.
Therefore, the minor should appeal to both students invested in the arts and in the technical field. “After all,” said Pennino, “one of my favorite films contains an artist, a philosopher, a scientist, and an engineer.”
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