HUM 1020_Unit I Assignment Noah Connell
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Arts Humanities
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Jan 9, 2024
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Unit I Assignment: Mona Lisa Smile
Noah Connell
Waldorf University
HUM 1020
Dr. Ashley Blake
December 12, 2023
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UNIT I ASSIGNMENT: MONA LISA SMILE
The movie Mona Lisa Smile provides us with an insight into the life of Katherine Watson
who took a History of Art position at an all-women's college called Wellesley College in 1953.
The beginning of the movie is narrated by Elizabeth Warren otherwise known as Betty as she is
known to her friends. Betty describes Wellesley College as one of the most conservative colleges
in the United States and states that Katherine came there not to fit in, but to make a difference.
Throughout the film we get to see how she comes to impact the lives of her students through her
creative lessons as she persevered through the negative criticism she faced.
As Katherine went through a slideshow in her very first classroom instruction, she realized
that the entire class had already memorized most of the syllabus which was created by another
professor, Dr. Staunton. She is thoroughly taken aback by the students' preparation prior to her
first day of class which really catches her off-guard; however, she comes back with a vengeance
the following day. She begins teaching off the syllabus and introducing modern art to the class
which is not in the textbook, forcing them to come up with their own ideas on each piece shown.
The new syllabus is based upon understanding what art is based upon their own interpretations
and not upon someone else's views. Even from this new beginning one can see the conflict that
arises some of the students criticism and rejection of her ideas, while others seem to respond to
the new instruction positively.
Katherine then begins to take the students on a journey through the world of art and tries to
inspire her students to think outside their comfort zones. This is displayed when Joan confronts
her about why she received a 'C' on a recent paper when she quoted what an art critic had stated
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Unit I Assignment: Mona Lisa Smile
about another artist's work. Katherine told her that she didn't care what he said, she just wanted
to hear how Joan felt about the artist's work. Once she tells Joan what she expects about her
interpretations of the artist's work she gives her another chance on the assignment.
Consider your experience with education. How much of your education has consisted of
teachers pouring things into your mind that you had to pour back out on a test?
How many
teachers have tried to inspire your mind, open your mind, or expand your mind to think in
ways it never has before? Which method of education do I prefer and why?
My high school experience provided me with a lot of inspiring people that I believe truly
wanted to get me thinking out of the box. I went to a preparatory high school, and was able to
take some college classes as well as my normal and AP classes. I graduated high school and
expected all of my professors to be funny and creative, like the mentors I experienced in high
school, but I was left with a lot to desire. I most definitely prefer an open/hands on classroom. I
would flourish in a class like Kathryns, where a teacher frees students from the cold metal seats
and slide after slide
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References
Ebert, R. (n.d.).
Mona lisa smile movie review & film summary (2003)
.
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mona-lisa-smile-2003
Mona lisa - the smile
. (n.d.).
https://www.pbs.org/treasuresoftheworld/mona_lisa/mlevel_2/mlevel2_smile.html