Distinguished Faculty Lecture 2022–2023

Jerry Hartman, M.F.A. Professor of Communication:
Media Literacy: When the Unreal is so Real

Sunday, November 6, 2022, 7 p.m. Melvin K. West Fine Arts Center.


Media Literacy: When the unreal is so real

New filmmaking technology is impacting the way films and TV series are being created. In virtual production, game engine design software generates locations and special effects—allowing filmmakers to interact with virtual landscapes in real time. Does it matter if it’s becoming impossible to tell what’s real when you see the finished film? What is the impact of AI supported tools in the media creation process? How can media literacy be developed in this changing landscape?

Jerry Hartman, professor of communication, has a passion for staying current with the latest visual technology trends and its influence on storytelling. In his most recent sabbatical research, he demonstrated the utility and feasibility of incorporating virtual production at the undergraduate level. He is excited to be integrating this technology into his work with students at Walla Walla University.

In this lecture, Hartman will explore the real versus the unreal in visual content creation tools. He will present media literacy as a good practice to evaluate visual content. Along the way he will share some powerful examples of how films can change us and change the world.

2021-2022
2021-2022 Austin Archer, Professor of  Psychology and Education

2020-2021
2020-2021 Dave Thomas, Professor of Practical Theology and Apologetics

2019-2020
Debbie Muthersbaugh, Professor of Education

2018-2019
Kari Firestone, Professor of Nursing

2017-2018
Pedrito Maynard-Reid, Professor of Theology

2016-2017
Paul Dybdahl, Professor of Theology

2015-2016
Kellie Bond, Associate Professor of English

2014-2015
Linda Emmerson, Assistant Professor of Philosophy

2013-2014
David Bullock, Professor of Communication

2012-2013
Karen Tetz, Professor of Nursing

2011-2012
Joseph G. Galusha Jr., Professor of Biology

2010-2011
Pamela Keele Cress, Professor of Social Work and Sociology

2009-2010
Thomas M. Thompson, Professor of Mathematics

2008-2009
Gregory D. Dodds, Associate Professor of History

2007-2008
Bruce C. Johanson. Professor of Biblical Studies

2006-2007
Jon A. Cole, Professor of Engineering

2005-2006
Beverly G. Beem, Professor of English

2004-2005
James R. Nestler, Professor of Biology

2003-2004
Alden L. Thompson, Professor of Biblical Studies

2002-2003
Kraig S. M. Scott, Associate Professor of Music

2001-2002
Douglas R. Clark, Professor of OT and Archaeology

2000-2001
Rodney Heisler, Professor of Engineering

1999-2000
C. Loren Dickinson, Professor of Communication

1998-1999
Roland R. Blaich, Professor of History

1997-1998
 Verlie Y. F. Ward, Professor of Education

1996-1997
Thomas J. Emmerson, Professor of Art

1995-1996
Claude C. Barnett, Professor of Physics

1994-1995
Terrie Dopp Aamodt, Professor of English and History

1993-1994
Ernie J. Bursey, Professor of Biblical Studies