Professor Randall Griffin with students Anna Membrino, left, and Anh-Thuy Nguyen.
“In the classroom, I try to involve the students by being an energetic lecturer, staying away from the podium and spurring discussion. Because experiential learning engages interest, I require them to see works of art at museums in the area.
A new undergraduate course that I teach, ‘Picturing the American West,’ examines paintings, photographs, novels and films – from the paintings of George Catlin to Cormac McCarthy’s All the Pretty Horses. It epitomizes my interest in getting students out of the classroom to see images of the American West at the DeGolyer Library and the Amon Carter Museum.
“I want the material to unsettle and challenge students’ world-views. Teaching is the most important thing I do at SMU. I hope that my classes will enrich students’ lives both aesthetically and intellectually long after they have graduated.”
Randall Griffin, professor of art history, has taught in Meadows School of the Arts since 1992. He is a 2010 Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor, the 2009-10 United Methodist Church University Scholar/Teacher of the Year and 2007 Meadows Foundation Distinguished Teaching Professor.