University Business - March 2012 - (Page 8)

E D I TO R ’ S N OT E Character Studies veryone remembers the scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark where Indiana Jones, with his iconic Fedora and bullwhip, narrowly escapes from a Peruvian temple with a stolen golden idol, avoiding the path of a rolling boulder and a band of arrow-wielding Hovitos tribesmen. In the next scene, we see Dr. Jones home again, teaching an archaeology class at “Marshall College.” He stands before the class in a bowtie and glasses (which, oddly, he doesn’t seem to need for the rest of the film). Just as the first scene represents a popular image of “the adventurer,” the second scene plays into what sociologists Mari Dagaz and Brent Harger say is a common perception of what a college professor “should look like.” Dagaz of Depauw University (Ind.) and Harger of Albright Interestingly, when a film “diversifies” a scene with memCollege (Pa.) published a paper called “Race, Gender, and Research: Implication for Teaching from Depictions of Professors bers of another ethnic group or a differently abled character, additional markers are used to set them apart. For example, a in Popular Films 1985-2005” in the journal Teaching Sociology. “When students enter college for the first time, they inevi- Mediterranean man had his shirt partly unbuttoned to expose his tably have preconceived images of professors. According to re- chest, while a man in a wheelchair wore a sweater vest. “It appears as if filmmakers did not think audiences would search on student evaluations of teaching, these preconceptions have important implications in the classroom,” the authors write. believe that diverse characters, in fact, may dress in the same way as their ‘regular’ (i.e. able-bodied white Beyond the stereotype of glasses, male) colleagues,” the authors write. bowties, and tweed jackets, the authors When students come to These film and television stereotypes also examined how faculty race and page XX. See college, they inevitably can condition students with precongender were portrayed in film, and how these depictions may influence student have preconceived images ceived notions of what professors should look like and how they should behave evaluations of professors. of professors. when they get to school. Women are often shown teaching You could be a Model of Efficiency too! Failing to meet those expectations literature, art history, or journalism. See page sexualized, based on race and gender could result in “These characters tend to be XX. particularly female professors of literature,” the authors say. “It is career-affecting poor student evaluations. The authors say this is not uncommon for these women to be shown reading poetry in consistent with numerous studies that have examined student a sensual and emotionally dramatic way, in some cases arousing evaluations of teaching. I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on this topic. Write to me at the address below. the sexual interest of a male student or classroom observer.” When it comes to the portrayal of African American professors, various “markers” such as beards, glasses, and bow ties are frequently incorporated to tab them as intellectuals. Moreover, African American characters often deal with issues of what it Write to Tim Goral at tgoral@universitybusiness.com. means to be “authentically black.” E Streamlining operations? Does your department measure up? Apply now for the 2012 Models of Efficiency awards! See page 23. 8 | March 2012 universitybusiness.com http://www.universitybusiness.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of University Business - March 2012

University Business - March 2012
Contents
Editor’s Note
College Index
Ad Index
Behind the News
Human Resources
Campus CFO
ERP in the Ethers
Digital Treasure
Scoring Big With New Football Teams
Money Matters
End Note

University Business - March 2012