Vol. 19, No. 32 |
May 25, 2000 |
Profs to attend Salzburg sessions on new info technology
|
Two University of Delaware faculty members — Ralph J. Begleiter, Distinguished Journalist in Residence, communication, and Mark W. Huddleston, political science and international relations — will attend the Salzburg Seminar sessions this summer and fall to participate in discussions about the effects of new informational technologies on institutions of higher education and on the news media.
Situated in Schloss Leopoldskron, an 18th-century Rococo palace in Salzburg, Austria, the seminar is a leading forum for promoting global dialogue on issues of pressing international concern. It regularly brings together future leaders from government, business, academia and the independent sector for weeklong sessions of intense discussion and debate.
Among the topics to be addressed during this seminar are the effects of the technological revolution on college campuses around the world, growing student populations, new instructional technologies and the advent of "virtual" campuses. "I am looking forward to interacting with thoughtful people involved in university administration around the world," Huddleston said. "I also hope to get a broader perspective on how higher educational institutions can meet the challenges of the 21st century. The digital revolution also has affected the way in which the public gets its news.
The sessions will explore the future of journalism, the global dimension of local news, the role of the Internet and the impact of the news media on the developing world. Begleiter said that his 18-year career reporting on international affairs for CNN, a network considered by many to be the epitome of globalization, makes him the ideal candidate for the seminar. "I take a strong interest in the role the news media play in the conduct of foreign policy," Begleiter said. "Whether one agrees with the extent of that influence is unimportant, because it's a reality?pone that policy makers, journalists, analysts and educators can't ignore." Issues raised by the growing influence of the media in the conduct of foreign policy include responsibility for the outcome of policies in which the media has played a role, and the ways to do this in a democratic society where a free press is considered a basic human right. Besides presenting an excellent personal opportunity to remain current in the constantly changing field of communications technology, Begleiter said he views the seminars as a means to contribute to UD's international reputation and recognition. "I believe that bringing these issues into the classrooms of tomorrow's leaders is essential for a university seeking international recognition and enrollment," he said. "By attending such conferences, we may also open the door to bring new presenters to UD in the future." -Jerry Rhodes |
Huddleston will attend a July 1-8 session on "Alternate Systems and Structures for Higher Education: Public Needs and Institutional Response for the 21st Century."
To address this issue, Begleiter will visit Salzburg from Oct. 11-18 for a seminar on "Mass Media in the Age of Globalization."