#faculty friday

Meet Jason Reblando

Years he’s worked at Illinois State: 4 years

Specializes in: Photography

Classes he teaches: He teaches Black and White (ART 235), Digital (ART 236), and Digital and Color (ART 335). Some special topics that he’s taught include documentary, portrait, and alternative processes and lighting (ART 333). 

What do you hope students get out of taking a class with you?

“I hope that at the very least, that my students can enjoy the courses and learn about making good photographs. This goes for both intro photography students and those taking advanced topics where they can learn to express themselves in creative ways. I want them to learn the medium on a conceptual level, as well as a technical level. I teach such a wide variety of classes to students from every skill level. I want my students to learn how to be visually literate and to think critically, along with learning how photographs function in the world.”

Fun fact about yourself?

“I lived in the Philippines for 5 months on a Fulbright scholarship. I also met my wife on a train in Boston.”

Favorite Movie?

It varies between Annie Hall and Raising Arizona. I’ve always loved Woody Allen and his New York roots, and I’m a New Yorker. And I like Raising Arizona because it’s very bizarre with dry comedy, as well as quirky and offbeat.

Favorite activity that happens on campus?

The art opening absolutely! I love seeing the work that the University Galleries brings in, and I love seeing student work in every space from the galleries to even the hallways. It’s very inspiring and shows their high level of dedication and craft.

We are so glad that you #FutureRedbirds  get to hear the stories and perspectives of our #RedbirdFaculty, and it does mean a a lot to us. College is a place where you get to see things in a new light, along with being able to experiment with different technology!

Meet Daniel Breyer

Years he’s worked at Illinois State: 8 years

Specializes in: Epistemology, which is the theory of knowledge. He also specializes in the philosophy of religion, Buddhist philosophy, and free will and moral responsibility.

Classes he teaches: Every fall he teaches Ancient Philosophy (PHI  254) and Indian Philosophy (PHI 207), and every spring he teaches Buddhist Philosophy (PHI 208). He also teaches a variety of other courses such as Meaning and Religious Belief (PHI 224), Philosophy and Christian Theology (PHI 222), and has taught courses on luck, evil and moral psychology.

What do you hope students get out of taking a class with you?

I’d like my students to leave my classes and be on their way as self learning machines. People who can work through arguments, ideas and texts on their own. I want students to leave with a variety of skills and confidence that they can solve all kinds of problems that would be philosophical or not.

Fun fact about yourself?

In the 1990s, I cofounded a band named Agalloch, which ended up being influential in the metal underground scene.

Favorite Movie?

One of my favorites is The Bicycle Thieves. It was one of the first movies I watched when I was ready to watch movies as pieces of art.

Favorite activity that happens on campus?

My favorite event is the philosophy department’s Undergraduate Philosophy Conference.

Meet Sarah Smelser

Years worked at Illinois State: 14 Years

Specializes in: Printmaking

“Printmaking is an established medium that’s changed over centuries. When you make a print, you transfer ink from one surface onto a paper. Some people know about printmaking from their high school art classes and what they first experience is linoleum cut, where the artist cuts an image in a block of linoleum and then prints it.”

Classes she teaches: Intaglio (Art 245, Art 345)

*Intaglio is the process where an artist makes a print from marks in a sheet of copper.*

What do you hope students get out of taking a class with you?

“Well, first I hope they have fun, and I hope they further the quality of their imagery. I also hope that they practice talking and thinking about their artwork, and explore all of the interesting and unusual qualities of printmaking.”

Fun fact about yourself?

“When I was 3 years old, I got my picture put in a newspaper because I was at a zoo, and a monkey pulled my hair, and there was a reporter who took a picture of the monkey and me holding hands.”

Favorite Movie?

“My favorite movie is The Kid. It’s a silent film starring Charlie Chaplin. I saw it with my parents when I was a kid, and I have rediscovered it with my own children.”

Favorite activity that happens on campus?

“Going to the College of Fine Arts homecoming tent with my family.”