|
Global Culture and Media
The emerging digital landscape poses significant
challenges for those concerned with the notion of global
cultures. On the one hand, these new technologies potentially
accelerate long-standing trends towards the homogenization
of world cultures, insuring American access to international
markets while continuing to erode traditional national identities
and cultural values. On the other hand, the multi-directional
character of digital communications may open the global
community to more diverse influences, enabling immigrants,
migrants, and exiles to maintain stronger ties to their
mother countries, and encouraging a greater global consciousness.
Some countries - India, Australia, the Scandinavian countries,
for example - are gaining new visibility and economic viability
as they embrace the "digital revolution." Contemporary
popular culture is increasingly internationalized, reflecting
both the global flow of cultural materials and the influence
of new waves of immigration throughout the world.
We seek to understand the current moment
of media change within a global context. Our current understandings
of national identities are themselves reflections of the
historic flow of stories, information, and cultural products
both within and beyond geographic boundaries as well as
power struggles and negotiations between different nation-states.
Our faculty members combine specific expertise
in particular national cultures with a growing awareness
that the flow of cultural goods rarely respects national
boundaries. A global expertise about media is not only important
to business and political leaders who hope to chart a coherent
course during times of rapid change, but also to citizens
and consumers who want to critically assess the international
impact of media change.
Projects
Events
|