By Shana Dines
Daily Bruin Contributor
Everyone dreads the bore of general education requirements, an
unfortunate necessity that all students must endure before taking
the classes that are actually interesting. There is a way, however,
to escape the monotony of a 500-capacity lecture on literature that
was written way before you were born.
Contrary to popular belief, UCLA offers a variety of classes
that fulfill the infamous GE requirements without putting students
to sleep.
How about interviewing Al Pacino in a small class setting?
In English 180X.4 ““ Life Skills: The Art of the Interview
““ all this is possible. In its first year of existence, this
Humanities GE focuses on the skills of communication and
interviewing, and is taught by Lawrence Grobel, a first-time UCLA
professor but seasoned veteran in the field of freelance journalism
and writing.
“I see this course as a class on how to converse with
people, how to analyze people, and your own work as well,”
Grobel said.
Although it is an upper division course, the only prerequisite
is English 3, which many entering freshmen already have satisfied
from high school courses.
“It’s a class not just for writers,” Grobel
said. “You have to be curious, have a good personality, a
sense of humor, and be willing to come into an unstructured class
and take it where it goes.”
Although there is an essay application required for enrollment
on the topic of why the student wants to take the class, it is
merely an opportunity for Grobel to see that everyone enrolled has
the ability to write and a valid interest in the course.
With plans to continue bringing public figures in to be
interviewed by the entire class, Grobel does not want star-struck
students looking to meet celebrities. He also caps enrollment at
15, so that the environment remains casual and personal.
Throughout the quarter, three accomplished, well-known people
will be brought to the class for group interviews. Students will be
expected to perform extensive research on the personality prior to
their appearance, as background information is an integral part of
an intelligent interview.
“The class is going to be a preparation of how to talk to
famous people and how to understand what they are doing,”
said Grobel. “We’re going to go over how to talk to
them before they come in.”
After the interview, students will write a profile on the person
and the conversation. Grobel plans on helping and giving insight
throughout the editing stages of their writing.
Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, actors Diane Keaton
and Elliot Gould and Lucia Rijker, World International Boxing
Organization lightweight champion, are among many who have already
expressed interest with Grobel to participate in his program.
Only three public figures will join the class and be
interviewed, however, because of the time required to conduct the
research and the interview and to complete the writing for each
subject.
The experience and confidence gained by being placed in a
professional, high-profile situation will benefit the students more
than sitting through a lecture on Medieval Poetry. when preparing
to get work in the real world.
Grobel brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Art of
the Interview class. After graduating from UCLA, he has spent his
life as a professional writer and freelance journalist. Having been
published in magazines ranging from Newsday to Playboy to Movieline
to Family Circle, he is best known for his celebrity interviews,
which have included Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and Barbara Streisand.
He has also published six books, including “Conversations
with Brando” and “Talking with Michener.”
Though the class was initially developed with the intent of
giving English majors the skills to find work as writers once out
of college, it has proven to be an interesting and valuable way to
fulfill GE requirements and gain life experience.