St. Cloud State to offer mass comm course at Maple Grove Graduate Center

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Those interested in the politics and economics of international communications and the role of mass media in shaping the emerging global society have an opportunity to further their education.

The St. Cloud State University Department of Mass Communications is offering its first graduate-level course at the Maple Grove Graduate Center, 6401 Sycamore Court N., Maple Grove, off of Bass Lake Road and I-94. Beginning Jan. 10, Seminar in International Mass Communications will be offered from 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays, taught by Roya Akhavan.

The course looks at international politics, international affairs and uses a critical and analytical approach with an international dimension of different cultures. The class is relevant to professional enrichment in a broad range of careers.

St. Cloud State offers the only accredited graduate program in mass communications in Minnesota.

The St. Cloud State Department of Mass Communications provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become socially responsible, professionally successful mass media communicators. Mass Communications majors can specialize in advertising, journalism, public relations, or television or radio broadcast.

For more information, contact Roya Akhavan at rakhavan@stcloudstate.edu or (320) 308-4202.

FACULTY BLOG. Wilkins, the legend: St. Paul can proudly claim the man who helped make civil rights history

By: Dr. Lisa Heinrich

Originally Published in the St. Paul Villager

Roy Wilkins was proud to say he was from St. Paul. Though he was born in St. Louis on August 30, 1901, he moved St. Paul when he was 5 years old, after his mother died, and stayed until a year after he graduated from college. St. Paul was the place where he said he learned people of differing backgrounds could live well together.
After leaving St. Paul, Wilkins went on for 22 years to lead the National Association

FACULTY BLOG Peter Przytula: In Poland, Obama has a chance to repair a relationship he damaged

By: Peter Przytula

As posted on www.twincities.com

The Polish-American alliance has been severely tested in the last 12 months but the situation is likely to be ameliorated this weekend.

Monday, following the untimely and tragic death of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, former National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski called on the Obama administration to send a very high ranking official to participate in the upcoming funeral.

His thoughtful advice was heeded. President Obama is going to Cracow on Saturday.

It is a prudent and much needed diplomatic decision. For most of 2009, the quality of Polish-American relations left much to be desired, mainly due to Obama’s political blunders vis-à-vis Poland.

Thankfully, Polish people are a romantic lot, thus highly appreciative of symbolic gestures. President Obama’s presence at Lech Kaczynski’s funeral will certainly meet with appreciation.