I decided on the topic of my SIP before the summer when I wanted to create my new lecture The Bias of the Film Industry. When working on the lecture, I realised that a study would be necessary in order to assess if the learning outcomes were reached and if the lecture needed improvements.
During the summer, I pitched the concept of the lecture to friends, family and colleagues to gage the interest on such topic and had numerous conversations about biases. I also read bell hooks’ book Reel to Real: Race, Class and Sex at the Movies1. I had encountered bell hooks during the L&T unit through her books; All About Love and Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom. At the time, I really engaged with her critical analysis of societal bias and her theory of engaged pedagogy. When researching for books about bias in the film industry, a simple Google search on “racism in the film industry” gave me a list of books to read. Reel To Real was part of the list. Knowing the great ability of the author to analyse biases and their impact on individual and her subversive spirit, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it.
Reading her book allowed me to get a more sophisticated critical analysis on the racial, gender and class representation in cinema and on the power and effect that movies have on individuals. Two concepts that were to become an important part of the lecture. My reading list didn’t stopped at bell hooks (See Lecture Bibliography in Workflow) and I also watched many films such as Disclosure2.
In September, I started to work on the structure and content of the lecture and all too soon it was time for our first SIP lecture.
I have to say that it was quite a shock to realise the complexity of academic research. From formulating a precise research question to structuring a focus action plan and analysing data in order to implement results; the task seemed voluminous and the time given to achieve it seemed short.
The SIP lecture was a great help to focus my attention and my readings.
I really enjoyed the philosophical aspect of academic research and indeed my research is fully in line with my educational and moral values.
Reading McNiff allowed me to understand the methodology of an action research. I realised that I needed to study how to interview, how to formulate interview questions and how to collect and analyse data. I also needed to find a strategy and design a structure for the overall research.
A lot of reading and work ahead but for now, the lecture is scheduled in a few days’ time and I need to concentrate on it.
I am equally exited at the prospect of lecturing this subject and nervous. I am aware of the sensitive nature of the lecture and I am concerned with possible emotional backlash and students being triggered by the lecture’s topics. To be ready for this I have read many papers on the challenge of having courageous conversations in an educational context thanks to Shade of Noir’s website.
I am also pleased to do the lecture as it will mean that I will be able to start my study. Apart from the fact that much of my brain is busy with the lecture, I do not feel that I can concentrate my efforts on my research until the lecture is done.
- b. hooks. (1996) Reel to Real: Race, Class and Sex at the Movies. Routledge
- Disclosure: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8637504/?ref_=fn_al_tt_20