Dr Tom Whittaker taught at the University of Georgia, as a Franklin-Morris Visiting Scholar
Lecturer in Film and Hispanic Studies, Dr Tom Whittaker, has delivered a four week course on Latin American cinema, as the Franklin-Morris International Scholar at the University of Georgia.
Established by the University of Liverpool and the University of Georgia, the Franklin-Morris International Scholars Programme is named in honour of two of the signatories to the Declaration of Independence in 1776, Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) and the Liverpool-born Robert Morris (1734-1806).
Strengthening relationship
The new scholars programme further strengthens the relationship between the University of Liverpool and the UGA. The institutions already have a teaching exchange programme, and a new institution-wide undergraduate student exchange scheme will begin later this year.
Dr Whittaker, from the University’s School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies, said: “The Franklin-Morris Visiting Scholarship was a life-changing experience. Teaching within a different university system was fascinating, and the students were incredibly enthusiastic. I can’t rate University of Georgia highly enough for its research culture, resources and administrative support.”
The course, called ‘Space, Movement and Identity in Hispanic Film’, was open to undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University of Georgia’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.
Professor Noel Fallows, Associate Dean of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Georgia, said: “One of my goals as Associate Dean has been to pursue a much broader definition of International Education so that it encompasses not only the undergraduate experience, but the graduate experience, and faculty development as well.
Unique programme
“Working with the University of Liverpool we created the unique Franklin-Morris International Studies Programme, which offers faculty members at the University of Liverpool the opportunity to teach a summer-school class at the University of Georgia, and take advantage of our major research facilities during their stay in Athens.
“The programme has allowed our students to take classes that we would not ordinarily be able to offer. I hope that we can expand this programme in future years as our academic partnership continues to evolve.”
For further information about the Franklin-Morris programme contact Dr Tom Whittaker or Dr Robert Blackwood.
