Major: Film Studies
Faculty Shout-out by Professor Pedro Doreste Rodríguez:
“One of the most remarkable student papers I have read during my time at MSU has been Ruben’s. His paper, “The Place of Pedagogy in Revolutionary New Latin American Cinema,” notes an overlooked aspect of the theoretical propositions of the New Latin American Cinema’s early manifestos. So often read for their militancy alone, Ruben deftly points out that so many of these differences were not political, but pedagogical. While the New Latin American Cinema rallied around the foundational metaphor of the camera as a gun, its formative artists, thinkers, and agitators were originally convened by treating the cinema as a classroom. Just a brilliant intervention that I feel I was lucky to have a small part in.”
How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
At the time of writing this I’m about two weeks away from graduating, and I’m already feeling nostalgic for the time I’ve spent earning my Film Studies degree. I truly believe that this experience has been pivotal not only for the development of myself as an academic, but as an individual as well.
Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
Any class taught by Professor McCallum will challenge your perception of film, film theory, and critical analysis in the best way possible, and Professor Doreste Rodríguez has a special way of nurturing in class conversation that is unlike any educator I’ve ever had. I’ll also always remember going to the film collective every Thursday night, as well as my study abroad trip to the Toronto International Film Festival (where I met Paul Rudd, no big deal). These are days I’ll want to re-live forever.
What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
The best advice I can give to Film Studies/English majors is to trust your instincts. Hone in on aspects of your coursework that you find interesting, and be brave enough to realize that what you believe to be insightful is worth saying. Nothing is worse than letting a great idea pass you by.
What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them? (capstone courses, honors thesis, independent studies, etc.)
This year I participated in multiple seminars ranging in theme from genre studies to analyzing the voice in cinema, as well as studying postmodernist concepts of the digital city. All of these courses have nurtured my interests in both critical analysis and group discussion, two elements of academia that I plan on keeping as a part of my life/career.This fall I began the process of lesson/unit planning. It was exciting to be able to adapt all I have learned post-secondary into a secondary context, using concepts such as multi-modal expression, cross-textual analysis, and inquiry-based learning.
What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
My ultimate aspiration is to one day teach Film/Media Studies at either the university or community college level, but I know I still have work to do before that day comes, so for now I’ll get some teaching and administrative experience under my belt before going for my Masters.