Conversations With Filmmakers and Critics

FILM 301

Instructor: Duane Dudek

If you enjoy watching movies and getting an inside look at the business side of filmmaking, then this course is a worth a look. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel film critic Duane Dudek shares his experiences reviewing movies and interviewing actors and directors, usually setting the stage for the film of the week. Some of the movies are standard fare but many are highly acclaimed foreign or limited-release films that most people haven’t gotten the chance to see. For film buffs who want to expand their viewing horizons or for the student who wants to tack on a relatively burden-free three-credit course, Film 301 is an engaging and insightful class to choose.

– Ryan Cardarella, Campus Government Editor

Introduction to Conservation and Environmental Science

CES 210

Instructors: Mary Gruhl and Christina Buffington

As part of this class, students are required to go out into the community and work with an environmental service organization. You feel like you are more than a student learning in a boring lecture, Instead you are getting involved and actively learning. It’s all part of a “systems thinking” concept, where you learn that everyone and every organization is interconnected and that we can all make a difference. Besides, there are online tests and quizzes to prevent pointless cram sessions the night before the test. It’s not a bad way to learn about the environment and get a natural science class out of the way. – Stephanie Brien, City News Editor

The Earth Environment

GEO SCI 106

At some point, everyone has to buckle down and take some science classes. I personally have no use for science; I wish we could teach that the sun is being pulled by a chariot of the gods instead of all that rotating Earth stuff. But if you need a science class that offers something of interest, this is a good one to take. The course focuses a lot on natural disasters: how they’re caused and how people can safeguard themselves from them. It’s both practical and able to keep your attention. Besides, you have to take some science, or you can’t leave this place with a degree. This is one of the better science classes for non-science majors to take.

– Tyler Casey, Campus Life Editor

Intro to the Actor’s Art

THEATRE 101

A great class for everyone to try is Theatre 101: Intro to the Actor’s Art. This class is for students not interested in receiving a bachelor’s in theater but looking to explore a new (old) entertainment medium.

Now I know what you’re saying: “I can’t act.” Well I say you can. Didn’t you ever play make believe when you where a child? Or how about lie to your parents/significant other/the police? Those are all good starts.

This course is fun and insightful. No, you won’t be ready to assume the title roll in “Hamlet” after taking it, but you could find something to do on the oh-so-boring week nights.

Memorization of lines is learned gradually and the class has a nice and easy pace, that make it easy for people of all skill levels. Also the class is a great way to meet people from all different majors and years.

– Sean Quast, Assistant A&E Editor

Introduction to Anthropology: Human Origins

ANTHRO 101

I learned the broad overview of evolutional theory combined with a minor detour into genetics and early cultural development. At first glance it sounds like a snooze, but I’ve never been more intrigued with a subject.

The class brought existence into a more manageable perspective for me. Suddenly when I drive down the freeway at rush hour I don’t see a bunch of people stuck in traffic trying to get home. I see a bunch of evolved furless apes controlling vehicles made of refined materials that we cleverly could find a way to put together so we can travel larger distances in shorter time.

Digging deeper, the class taught an appreciation for art and creativity on a level I’d never thought about. A key component to man’s survival and success is derived from his ability to see what is not there. Through this is the pathway to invention — all our modern day conveniences were handed down to us by generations of creative minds built on top of one another.

Art is no different. Put an empty canvas in front of two different people and they’ll imagine two different paintings. This doesn’t mean one person is better than the other; instead, it shows the second most valuable lesson of the class. Man’s ability for compassion towards another man is also a chief component to our survival today. The blending of our creativity and this sensitivity makes us a unique creation.

– Tyler Gaskill, A&E Editor

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