Participation Type
Discussion
Session Title
Session 7.15 Discussion
Presentation #1 Title
Revisiting Stereotypes: From Mockumentary to Documentary
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
A reunion of past conference attendees reflect on their experience at a previous conference to share their insights on how films can change one’s views on stereotypes. At the 25th Annual Conference of the ASA in Helen, GA, the psychology department of then Pikeville College presented a film entitled Der Ewige Hillbilly. This mockumentary exploded the stereotypes of Appalachia through humor and was well-received at the conference. The experiential learning gained by the filmmakers, a collaboration between students and faculty, was transformative. The follow-up documentary seeks to show how their personal journeys are synonymous with the institution's educational journey from college to university. By changing our perspective of the hillbilly stereotype, we change our personal, as well as our institutional, narratives. Since alumni, current students, and faculty, both past and present, will be involved this retrospection should induce self-reflection and insight in both the audience and the filmmakers involved. Has the hillbilly stereotype changed? Why does the media continue to perpetuate these negative stereotypes?
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Dr. John Howie is head of the psychology department at the University of Pikeville. His background in archetypal psychology under the tutelage of James Hillman eventually led him to teach ecopsychology in Peru.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Bruce Parsons is the program director of film and media arts at the University of Pikeville. He also services as the director for the local television station, PikeTV.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Darrell Riffe is an adjunct instructor of film studies, Pikeville College alumni, and graduate of the University of Southampton (UK). His interests include African-Americans in film, horror films, and genre theory.
Revisiting Stereotypes: From Mockumentary to Documentary
Corbly Hall 457
A reunion of past conference attendees reflect on their experience at a previous conference to share their insights on how films can change one’s views on stereotypes. At the 25th Annual Conference of the ASA in Helen, GA, the psychology department of then Pikeville College presented a film entitled Der Ewige Hillbilly. This mockumentary exploded the stereotypes of Appalachia through humor and was well-received at the conference. The experiential learning gained by the filmmakers, a collaboration between students and faculty, was transformative. The follow-up documentary seeks to show how their personal journeys are synonymous with the institution's educational journey from college to university. By changing our perspective of the hillbilly stereotype, we change our personal, as well as our institutional, narratives. Since alumni, current students, and faculty, both past and present, will be involved this retrospection should induce self-reflection and insight in both the audience and the filmmakers involved. Has the hillbilly stereotype changed? Why does the media continue to perpetuate these negative stereotypes?
