Teacher Can Continue to Use Controversial Textbook

A Los Angeles Valley College film teacher who wrote a textbook that angered feminists and filmmakers can continue to use the book in class, college administrators said Tuesday, citing the instructor’s right to express his opinions.

Administrators met Tuesday with W. Milton Timmons in response to criticism of his textbook, “Orientation to Cinema,” which asserts that women have generally not been successful in the film industry because they are more interested in families than careers.

That theory--along with statements that there are few well-educated, intelligent women in the film industry and that many women attend college to find husbands--drew complaints from the National Organization for Women, representatives of the screenwriters and directors guilds, and students.

Valley College Vice President Tyree Wieder said Timmons told administrators that he “stands by his research.” Under the principles of academic freedom and free speech he must be allowed to continue using the book in his two introductory film courses, she said.

“After reviewing the book, there is clearly material that is very controversial,” but “we cannot censor a textbook,” Wieder said. “You hire instructors who are experts in the field. You can question their information. You can disagree with the information. But administrators cannot tell them to alter a textbook, no matter how controversial.”

College officials said they welcome offers by Directors Guild of America and Writers Guild of America members to visit the campus and discuss women’s roles in the industry.

Timmons said Tuesday he would be happy to take part in such discussions, which he said would help recruit more women students to the film program. He praised the response of administrators as “a very wise and professional decision.”

Pamela Rosenberg of the WGA Women’s Committee said the WGA and other groups would visit the campus. Rosenberg said she understood the college’s concerns about academic freedom. But she expressed disappointment that officials didn’t question the academic validity of the two-page section on women in the film industry.