Film Gives Freshmen a First Lesson ; Some Colleges Are Promoting Film Discussions, Rather Than Reading Analysis, for New Student Orientation

Stacy A. Teicher writer of The Christian Science Monitor, The Christian Science Monitor

During orientation, students at Lafayette College paused between the ice breakers and the talks about behaving responsibly to watch a movie. Far from being an entertainment break, it was their first intellectual exercise on the Easton, Pa., campus.

While many colleges include a book discussion in orientation, this summer Lafayette sent out a guide to "reading" film, inviting new students to take a closer look at "Crash," an Oscar-winning look at racial dynamics in Los Angeles. After a screening at orientation in late August, they met with professors in groups of 30 to talk about everything from stereotypes to camera angles.

"It was a good idea, because ... being in …

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Publication information: Article title: Film Gives Freshmen a First Lesson ; Some Colleges Are Promoting Film Discussions, Rather Than Reading Analysis, for New Student Orientation. Contributors: Stacy A. Teicher writer of The Christian Science Monitor - Author. Newspaper title: The Christian Science Monitor. Publication date: September 6, 2006. Page number: 14. © 2009 The Christian Science Publishing Society. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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