All Film Studies students are required to participate in at least one Connecting Experience as part of their BDP work. Take a look at what some Film Studies students have done recently for their BDP Connecting Experiences, then read on for additional information and resources.
Major: Economics, Sociology
Type of Experience: Research
Mentor: Rico Ainslie, Educational Psychology
This semester, Luis will be creating a short documentary film about Las Pozas, a surrealist sculpture garden in Xilitla, Mexico. Las Pozas was built between 1949 and 1984 by the British poet, artist, and art patron Edward James, and the gardens include more than thirty concrete sculptures. In his documentary, Luis will explore themes such as popular and elite culture in Mexico, architecture as a reflection of the mind, and the life and artistic legacy of Edward James.
Major: Spanish Literature
Type of Experience: Research
Mentor: Héctor Dominguez-Ruvalcaba, Spanish and Portuguese
Jonathan developed a short screenplay influenced by Spanish culture and literature in the Spring of 2008. To contribute to the authenticity of his screenplay, Jonathan traveled to Mexico. His research on the environment, people, and Latin socio-cultural ideologies while in Mexico allowed for a complex understanding of Spanish culture that was evident in his screenplay.
Marion Rocco, the Connecting Experiences advisor for the Film Studies BDP, can help you find research and internship experiences that connect to your major and your career plans. Call 232-7564 to make an appointment with Marion. Remember to plan ahead—if you want to be in a connecting experience next semester, you should be planning for it now!
All students participating in a Connecting Experience will be required to attend two meetings during the semester, where you will have the opportunity to talk with advisors and other students about how your experience is going, and where you’ll learn about how to talk about and build on your experience in the future. Please see the Connecting Experiences Resources page under Current Students for details.
For Connecting Experiences guidelines, contract forms, scholarship applications, reflection essay guidelines, internship sponsor forms, and important deadlines, please see the Connecting Experiences Resources page under Current Students.
The EUREKA Web site provides a variety of resources, including scholarship information and a database of faculty research interests.
Important: There is no “list” of possible Connecting Experiences to choose from — because Connecting Experiences are designed to fit your own personal interests and goals, the “list” is as long as your imagination and creativity allow. Your Connecting Experiences advisor can help you get started brainstorming what you might want to do for your Connecting Experiences.
“I applied for the Film Studies BDP because I wanted to pair my journalism major with some film courses so that I could pursue a career in film criticism. The BDP offers so many unique classes, and I knew that I would get a well-rounded education in film history around the world through the Film Studies BDP.”