TEACHSOC: Re: using Brokeback Mountain to teach

[Del Thomas Ph. D.]

Insiders suggest it was made as a chick flick. It has become a joke in the media.  From the outside it looks boring... the west wing crowd will like it.  Masterpiece? Maybe an Oscar or two. I saw good night and good luck. Some people loved it because of the idea and filming... but it was a poorly made film.  I'm glad I saw it.  It was worth the time and $.  As for showing it in class.  Why?  Do we have any beta test on what is learned from a film.  You could be increasing anti gay sentiment. Del Sarah Murray wrote: Hi all... Having recently been mesmerized by two viewings of the film masterpiece "Brokeback Mountain", I've decided that when it comes out on DVD, I will use it as a teaching supplement in my Family and Sexuality course, as well as my Violence course (which includes hate crimes and homophobia, as well as rural violence.)   I mentioned it to my current class, and a couple of the young men indicated (good-naturedly but sincerely), that they would not sign up for any course in which that movie would be shown -- and we're 15 minutes from Manhattan!  (Of course, my own husband and brother - in - law refused to see it as well.)   Any thoughts?   Sarah Murray, adjunct William Paterson U of NJ