Phone: (626) 815-6000, Ext. 5219
Fax: (626) 387-5747
Email: tparham@apu.edu
Office Location: Building 3, Room 167, TFT Suite
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 11 a.m.-12p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 3-4 p.m.
Thomas Parham, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Theater, Film, and Television
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Profile
Thomas Parham, Ph.D., is an associate professor of Theater, Film, and Television at Azusa Pacific University. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and spent seven years on active duty, during which he qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer. Parham left the Navy to complete a doctorate in communication studies at Regent University. He has written for the CBS drama JAG and the Family Channel sitcom Big Brother Jake, and also served as the on-location writers' assistant for the third season of Touched by an Angel.
Parham has executive produced several award-winning student films, including "Giving Her Away," "Jaded," and "Robbie Mullins," and he has directed stage productions of Dinner with Friends, Dracula, and The Skin of Our Teeth. He also co-wrote the musical comedy Inside Out and the "dramedy," Steeple Chasers.
Parham has executive produced several award-winning student films, including "Giving Her Away," "Jaded," and "Robbie Mullins," and he has directed stage productions of Dinner with Friends, Dracula, and The Skin of Our Teeth. He also co-wrote the musical comedy Inside Out and the "dramedy," Steeple Chasers.
Education
Ph.D. - Regent University, 1995
M.A. - Regent University, 1992
B.A. - Naval Academy, 1985
M.A. - Regent University, 1992
B.A. - Naval Academy, 1985
Professional/Scholarly Presentations
Presentations
Parham, Thomas. Science Fiction for Grown-Ups: Sex, Politics, and Religion on Battlestar Galactica, presented at the Popular Cultural Association Conference, Atlanta, 2006.
Parham, Thomas. On Academic Rigor at the Christian University, presented at the National Communication Association Conference, Boston, 2005.
Parham, Thomas. Mistrust in Government as Portrayed on American Television, presented at the Oxford Round Table, 2007.
Parham, Thomas. Cinematic Television: Maturation of a Medium, presented at the Popular Cultural Association Conference, Boston, 2007.
Parham, Thomas. Behind Good and Evil: Free Will and the One Ring in Middle-earth, presented at the National Communication Association Conference, Miami Beach, 2003.
Publications
Parham, Thomas. "Why Do Heathens Make the Best Christian Films?" Behind the Screen: Hollywood Insiders on Faith, Film, and Culture, Baker Books, (2005).
Parham, Thomas. "Losers, Weepers," an essay on The Bicycle Thief for City of Angels Film Festival program, 2003.
Parham, Thomas. "Heroes in Crisis: Postmodern Deconstruction and Reconstruction," in The Gospel According to Super-Heroes, Peter Lang Publishing, (2005).
View All Professional/Scholarly Presentations
Parham, Thomas. Science Fiction for Grown-Ups: Sex, Politics, and Religion on Battlestar Galactica, presented at the Popular Cultural Association Conference, Atlanta, 2006.
Parham, Thomas. On Academic Rigor at the Christian University, presented at the National Communication Association Conference, Boston, 2005.
Parham, Thomas. Mistrust in Government as Portrayed on American Television, presented at the Oxford Round Table, 2007.
Parham, Thomas. Cinematic Television: Maturation of a Medium, presented at the Popular Cultural Association Conference, Boston, 2007.
Parham, Thomas. Behind Good and Evil: Free Will and the One Ring in Middle-earth, presented at the National Communication Association Conference, Miami Beach, 2003.
Publications
Parham, Thomas. "Why Do Heathens Make the Best Christian Films?" Behind the Screen: Hollywood Insiders on Faith, Film, and Culture, Baker Books, (2005).
Parham, Thomas. "Losers, Weepers," an essay on The Bicycle Thief for City of Angels Film Festival program, 2003.
Parham, Thomas. "Heroes in Crisis: Postmodern Deconstruction and Reconstruction," in The Gospel According to Super-Heroes, Peter Lang Publishing, (2005).
View All Professional/Scholarly Presentations
Professional Experience
Consulting Engagements
Moderator, panel discussion, The Gospel According to Comic Books, sponsored by Inter-Mission, Hollywood Presbyterian Church, Hollywood, 2007
Moderator, panel discussion,Christian Comic Arts Society, Comic-Con International, San Diego, 2007
Host, panel discussion on "Reality v. Verity," Reel Spirituality conference, Los Angeles, 2005
Host, panel discussion on Capote, Reel Spirituality conference, Los Angeles, 2006
Facilitator, panel discussion, "Lights! Camera! Comics!" conference, Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, 2005
Industry Experience
Tonton Julian, Once on This Island, a senior capstone production, Mary Hill Theater, Azusa Pacific University, 2007
Director, The Skin of Our Teeth, Mary Hill Theater, Azusa Pacific University, 2004
Director, Dracula, Mary Hill Theater, Azusa Pacific University, 2006
Director, Dinner with Friends, Mary Hill Theater, Azusa Pacific University, 2005
View All Professional Experience
Moderator, panel discussion, The Gospel According to Comic Books, sponsored by Inter-Mission, Hollywood Presbyterian Church, Hollywood, 2007
Moderator, panel discussion,Christian Comic Arts Society, Comic-Con International, San Diego, 2007
Host, panel discussion on "Reality v. Verity," Reel Spirituality conference, Los Angeles, 2005
Host, panel discussion on Capote, Reel Spirituality conference, Los Angeles, 2006
Facilitator, panel discussion, "Lights! Camera! Comics!" conference, Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, 2005
Industry Experience
Tonton Julian, Once on This Island, a senior capstone production, Mary Hill Theater, Azusa Pacific University, 2007
Director, The Skin of Our Teeth, Mary Hill Theater, Azusa Pacific University, 2004
Director, Dracula, Mary Hill Theater, Azusa Pacific University, 2006
Director, Dinner with Friends, Mary Hill Theater, Azusa Pacific University, 2005
View All Professional Experience
Professional Involvement and Accomplishments
2007 Faculty of the Year Award from Act One, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to the training of Christians for careers in mainstream film and television
2007 Edition of Who’s Who in America
2005 Edition of Who’s Who among America’s Teachers
2004 Edition of Who’s Who among America’s Teachers
2002 Edition of Who’s Who among America’s Teachers
2007 Edition of Who’s Who in America
2005 Edition of Who’s Who among America’s Teachers
2004 Edition of Who’s Who among America’s Teachers
2002 Edition of Who’s Who among America’s Teachers
Expertise
Broadcast Journalism
Dramatic Theory and Criticism
Popular Culture
Science Fiction and Fantasy
Screenwriting
Television History
Special Interests and Activities
Parham is a self-professed "science fiction/comic book geek" and wrote his doctoral thesis on Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Courses Taught
Student Broadcast Workshop (COMM 414)
Media Criticism and Theory (TFT 341)
Producing and Production Management (TFT 361)
Screenwriting (TFT 375)
Student Broadcast Workshop (TFT 414)
Theatre: Performance and Production (TFT 416)
Directing (TFT 423)
Dramatic Theatre and Criticism (TFT 460)
Senior Seminar: Ethics in Theater, Film, and Television (TFT 496)
Media Criticism and Theory (TFT 341)
Producing and Production Management (TFT 361)
Screenwriting (TFT 375)
Student Broadcast Workshop (TFT 414)
Theatre: Performance and Production (TFT 416)
Directing (TFT 423)
Dramatic Theatre and Criticism (TFT 460)
Senior Seminar: Ethics in Theater, Film, and Television (TFT 496)
Note: This information is current for the 2008-09 academic year. For additional information, please contact the appropriate office.
