Arwulf Arwulf is a renaissance man who describes himself as a lifelong bookish autodidact, cultural historian, and musicologist. He began working for the university in January 1992, became a full-time audiovisual technician and projectionist two years later, and was soon screening 16mm Russian and East European films for Professor Herbert Eagle. At that time, much of the technology in use was pre-digital; because some of the films dated from the 1920s, it was often necessary to open up the side of the projector and transfer a belt to a different set of gears to run archival prints at “silent speed” (18 frames per second).
In addition to the old-fashioned method of marking clips by slipping strips of paper into the takeup reel while a screening was in progress, Professor Eagle used cued VHS tapes to show clips during lectures. As DVDs gradually replaced videotape, Arwulf and Professor Eagle began isolating digital clips to facilitate playback and improve the flow of the lectures. An extensive library of film stills, maps, and historical photographs was created for planned and spontaneous use during Professor Eagle’s lectures. The collection is regularly augmented and accessed by GSIs who use the media during weekly section discussions.
During lectures, Arwulf stands at the podium using a laptop to show images that enhance Professor Eagle’s narrative, while cueing up the next clip on the podium computer. This places the professor at the very front of the seating area, freeing him up to engage directly with the students. Arwulf remembers: “I began screening images between clips in 2012, and made the move from the projection booth to the podium in 2015. Since then we have collaborated on lectures for multiple courses in twenty different rooms across central campus.”
This degree of direct involvement with the professor and GSIs is different from the “behind the scenes” support that LSA Technology Services staff typically provide. “I’ve grown into the position of what Herb openly describes as an unofficial assistant teacher,” says Arwulf, who juggles clips from films of Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, Slovakian, Hungarian, Macedonian, Serbian, Bosnian and Czech origin. Professor Eagle sometimes asks him questions during lectures, which he is confident in answering as he knows each film inside and out, and can provide context for the material under discussion.
Admired and respected for his influential contributions to higher education, Professor Eagle has a background in mathematics, theory of verse, Slavic languages, literature, and film theory. Each of his courses gives students a well-rounded and diverse view of Eastern and Central European cinema that meets multiple graduation requirements in LSA. One is the Upper-Level Writing Requirement (ULWR), which is met with multiple papers assigned in each class. There is also a race and ethnicity requirement that is met in many of Professor Eagle’s courses.
Professor Eagle teaches five different courses, the most popular being Slavic 312: “Central European Cinema”. The other four are Slavic 313: “Russian Cinema”, Slavic 314: “Polish Cinema”, and Czech 315: “Czech New Wave Cinema”. In addition, during winter 2024, he piloted a new course, Ukrainian 316: “Revolutions in Ukrainian Cinema”. Many of the films shown in these courses are emotionally challenging to watch, as they deal with ethnic conflict, war, genocide, the Holocaust, Stalinism, systemic patriarchy, and the oppression of women. A clear and concise humanitarian universalist perspective pervades his entire curriculum.
Arwulf’s earliest exposure to Holocaust literature was a chance encounter at the age of ten with Anatoly Kuznetsov’s Ukrainian memoir Babi Yar, which describes the author’s traumatic childhood during the Nazi Occupation. This was the beginning of Arwulf’s lifelong fascination with Eurasian history, art, literature, music, and cinema.
Once voted the “most academic non-academic” by a journalist at the Michigan Daily, Arwulf has a deeply rooted affinity for people who teach. “I’m fortunate to provide support for Herb Eagle and all the other people I get to assist at this university. Virtually every day that I work on campus, I find myself saying to faculty members: “Thank you for teaching!” Herb is a trusted friend and mentor. His wisdom and pedagogy have greatly improved my understanding of human nature. I’m really blessed to work with him.”
If you would like assistance with the technology in your classroom, our Classroom Technical Support service is available to all faculty using a classroom with supported LSA Technology Services technology. Fill out the request form to get started with support for your classroom or event.
