Minn. Some 22 teachers were selected, with nearly 300 inquiries regarding possible attendance to the Institute. Participants are chosen based on letters, essays and recommendations from school staff and administration. Those selected will incorporate materials from the Institute into their curriculum in such areas as history, English, social studies and film, and demonstrate how films have promoted or reversed racial stereotypes. According to Gerster, instructing high school students in watching and interpreting film is critical in learning about our past, present and future. Many high school students today don t go home and curl up with a good book.
Films reflect and have the power to change cultural attitudes.
Teachers can use film effectively in their classroom to assist students in understanding American diversity and the power that film has in shaping our impressions of minority cultures. Gerster and Zlogar are co-authoring a book for high school teachers about teaching multicultural values and visual literacy. They will integrate theories and methods of studying ethnic representations, key essays by scholars attending the institute, and selected curricular units generated by this national NEH Institute as well as a regional NEH Institute the two coordinated in 1996. Nationally known guest speakers will address the Institute students beginning with Ed Guerrero, professor of cinematic studies at New York University. He will present on July 11-12.