Prof Elk poses with a group of film students at Fanshawe College.

Teaching

I currently teach at Fanshawe College and Western University as an adjunct lecturer. This means each term I’m doing something a little different! At Fanshawe, I work in School of Liberal and Language Studies teaching writing for incoming students as well as intro film. At Western, I teach trans studies in the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies department.

Download my current CV here.

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From my Students:

‘Although this isn't the first film studies course I have taken, it is objectively the most focused on trying to achieve a sense of fair criticism. The difference in styles, as well as genres, was very enjoyable to study and explore on a deeper, more serious level while we could still watch films that maybe some of us hadn't watched beforehand. [...] I think I view films more critically now, as a whole.’

‘I am so much more interested in film! I originally took this course as an elective and I had no expectations. After engaging in the content I have a whole new appreciation for movies and film! I have enjoyed talking about this course with my classmates. I also feel like I have a lot of movie-watching ahead of me. I currently have a list of movies I want to watch and I want to continue to be engaged in film culture, even when this course is over.’

‘I've learned a great deal about the nuances of filmmaking through assignments, discussions, and practical experience, which has greatly increased my understanding and proficiency in this area. Furthermore, exchanging ideas with colleagues and getting criticism has improved my educational process and helped me hone my skills even more. All things considered, I can say with certainty that this course has not only assisted me in reaching my own objectives, but it has also created a greater enthusiasm for filmmaking in me.’

‘By the end of the semester, I could confidently say that my critical thinking skills had significantly evolved in the realm of films.’

‘This class not only taught me about cinema but also made my college experience more enjoyable and meaningful.’

‘Pretty much everything about the content of this course went above and beyond my expectations.’

Current Courses

Intro to Trans Studies (200-level)
Hollywood: The Viewer’s Perspective (100-level)
- see final project website here!

Previous Courses

Reason and Writing (99-level)

Teaching Assistantships

Animation / Anime (200-level)
Disney Dream Factory (200-level)
Intro to Film (100-level)

Dream Courses

Global Animation (200-level)
Feminine, Queer, and Trans Subjects in Psychoanalysis (Grad Seminar)
Postmodernism and the Unconscious (300-level)
Frank Herbert’s Dune (100-level)