Thomas Valasek

Professor of Film and Communication Studies
Communication & Languages Department

CAITL Faculty Research Fellow, 2001-2002

Office: S-316

Phone: 908-526-1200, Ext. 8498
mailto:tvalasek@raritanval.edu

Education

Educational Philosophy

Although I have taught a wide variety of courses during my years at Raritan Valley Community College (in English composition and literature, Humanities, Communication, and Film Studies), I approach all of them with the three basic beliefs. The first is that my most important responsibility as a teacher is to engage students in such a way that they will want to continue learning about the subject matter, and be able to do so on their own. The second belief is that helping students to think and communicate clearly is an essential element of any course of study. And the third is that, given the right kind of interaction, students can learn from one another as well as from the teacher.

Biographical Sketch

Having a background in both English and Cinema Studies has afforded me opportunities to teach many interesting courses at Raritan Valley Community College. I regard myself as an academic "generalist" (rather than a "specialist"), making connections among traditional academic disciplines. Hence, my great interest in interdisciplinary courses like Introduction to Humanities and Shakespeare on the Page and on the Screen. In my research and writing I have also pursued broad interests. For example, I have written a film textbook, Frameworks: An Introduction to Film Studies (used in Art of the Film) and co-authored a public speaking textbook, The Confident Speaker's Handbook: A Practical, Hands-on Approach to Public Speaking (used in Speech and Presentation Skills classes). I have a special interest in and passion for Czech cinema, and have received two International Research Exchange (IREX) fellowships to pursue research projects in the Czech Republic and a Fulbright fellowship to teach at Charles University in Prague. 

Courses Taught

 

CAITL Research

 

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Last Modified: 7/6/2005 by AKA