FEU DEPCOMM launches research lecture series

THE HUMOR of selected Vic Sotto films and the influence of a Julia Roberts movie in teaching speech courses for students kicked off the Far Eastern University-Department of Communication’s (FEU DEPCOMM) Brownbag Lecture Series last Sept. 12 to enhance its culture of research.

“This project is patterned after the practices of international universities where faculty members are encouraged to gather informally to exchange ideas, topics and trends in research,” explains Cherish Aileen Brillon, Program head of DEPCOMM.

DEPCOMM faculty members Karen Lee V. Panela and assistant professor Damian Velasquez III were the inaugural speakers.

Panela’s study, “When laughter is not the best medicine: Physical humor in the selected films of Vic Sotto,” showed that Sotto’s celebrity identity influenced how physical humor enhanced his “power” as a comedy actor. Panela’s research also showed that comedy may in fact disempower characters who support the comic lead.

Meanwhile, Velasquez in his study, “Film as Instructional Aid in Teaching Intonation: Effects on Performance and Attitude towards the Speech 1 Course,” focused on the film “Mona Lisa Smile” which stars Hollywood actress Julia Roberts. The study demonstrated how film can be an instructional aid in teaching speech to students and influencing their attitude towards the subject.

Panela teaches communication andmedia courses, and specializes in research on media violence, political economy of media, comedy in film and television, political communication, and genre studies. Velasquez teaches Effective Speech Communication, Film Criticism, and Introduction to Film; he holds an MA degree in Instructional Management from Miriam College.