Class uses The Force

Finding the essence of religion, sociology, history and mass communication through the Force may seem a bit odd, but a particular Blount Undergraduate Initiative thematic seminar attempts to prove that the concept works.

Taught by David DeWitt, a four-time graduate of the University, BUI 301: The Gospel of Star Wars: Mass Entertainment as Postmodern Religion pulls many courses of study together to present a new wide-ranged look at mass media, religion and society.

DeWitt said he had to overcome his shyness on his path to teaching, but his calling in life is to continue to challenge his students, pushing them to think outside "the Matrix" of society's mass consciousness.

"I was meant to teach because I get such emotional satisfaction from it," he said.

DeWitt said he is well-versed in the classic liberal arts, as well as American studies. His doctoral degree is in interdisciplinary studies, meshing mass communication and American studies, which is where the course concept arises.

DeWitt said most people in the interdisciplinary study track studied the hard sciences, such as biology and chemistry, instead of humanities and communication.

He said his method of interdisciplinary study was possible only with the help of his mentor, professor emeritus of humanities and religious studies, William G. Doty.

"If you go through as many directions as I did, it is so important to model how that can be achieved," DeWitt said.

Before this class, DeWitt said he taught various other courses on the subject of "Star Wars" during his years of study, but the classes were in the department of American studies.

"I go deeper and further in the studies with the students here," he said. "I create my style by combining what I learned in all those various disciplines."

The class does not pull from one particular textbook. Instead, it relies on various philosophical works as well as essays the students read outside of class, for which students write weekly papers known as "response papers." Films are often shown in the class, which meets Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

"It is important to realize the role of creativity in the approach to interdisciplinary arts," he said.

The response papers are graded and given individual responses, because DeWitt said he prefers to give each student individual attention. No exams are given in the class, and the idea for a nine-page final paper was scrapped, with an essay test put in its place.

"I hope to expand their world view as radically and as exponentially as possible," he said.

The Blount program is designed to engage exceptional students throughout their undergraduate college years, with programs designed to challenge and engage students, from the moment they step on campus to the day they receive their degrees.

DeWitt's class is one of many seminars students take between their sophomore and senior years of school.

"This is the finest group of students I've ever had," he said.

"I feel they'll come out of my course much better writers and critical analysts," DeWitt said.

He said he wants to continue teaching Blount seminars, and the format of the program is nearly perfect for his teaching style.

"This allows me to show my passion for this subject and teaching," DeWitt said. "It has been a long path to make the choices I've made.

"I'm grateful and even blessed to find myself in this situation."

The students taking his seminar agree.

Kelsey King, a junior majoring in English, said so far the class has been amazing.

"It is a constant introduction to new ideas," she said.

King said there is a lot to do in the class, both inside and outside, but it's still fun.

"It pulls everything together and gives it perspective," she said.

The class calls to open-minded people of all political mindsets, King said, and the course is more of an attempt to bridge conservative and liberal viewpoints than to espouse either view.

She said before the class, she'd never seen "Star Wars," citing lack of interest, but since she's been in the class, she has learned to love the brand.

Morgan Wilbanks, a junior majoring in French, said the class has "been a blast," so far.

"I've always been a huge 'Star Wars' fan," he said, "and it's allowed me to appreciate the films on a whole new level."

Wilbanks said the class taught him to begin thinking twice about everything, and in the beginning, he had no idea what he was expecting out of it.

"It is a good bit of reading, and we have to write a very structured response," he said.

Wilbanks said he spends three to four hours per week on average outside of class working on his response papers and reading assignments.

He said the dialog between students and teachers is very personal, and he likes that a lot.

"He interacts with us on a one-on-one level," Wilbanks said.

Zac Simon, a junior majoring in political science and history, said he is also really enjoying the class.

He said he loves "Star Wars" a lot, and putting the franchise into a completely different perspective has been fun.

"I'm glad this is a legitimate class," he said.

Anyone interested in "Star Wars," sociology and liberal arts would find this class interesting, Simon said.

He said he approaches things such as "Star Wars" and "Lord of the Rings" in general with a more liberal eye now, and he tries to understand other perspectives in a different way now.

Simon said the class challenges the ways he thinks because he hasn't yet had a class that allows him to on this scale.

"I feel like I'm getting a lot more out of it than another class," he said.