Military's 'cultural sensitivity' training included in Global Media Project studies
Brianna Barzola
Issue date: 4/11/06 Section: Campus News
An effort to investigate the Marine Corps's "cultural sensitivity" training is just one project currently undertaken by the Global Media Project, an effort spearheaded by James Der Derian, professor of international studies. The GMP, which aims to use media and production methods to increase public awareness of global issues and conflicts, is looking to expand, having recently moved beyond the Watson Institute for International Studies to collaborate with other departments.
Increasingly, Brown students are lending their support to the GMP. A popular senior seminar offered this semester, IR 180 Sec. 95: "Global Media: History/Theory/Production," requires students to explore how media is used in international affairs. As part of the Marine Corps research, lieutenant colonels affiliated with the Eisenhower Series College Program recently visited to speak to students. This marked the first time officers from the program visited an Ivy League school.
The Marine Corps research is one of the GMP's principal efforts. Funded by a Solomon Grant and aided by Professor of Anthropology Catherine Lutz and Assistant Professor of International Studies Keith Brown, the research will examine how American troops are trained prior to traveling to various countries - specifically, looking at training designed to help troops better understand a given country's culture.
Members of the GMP filmed the training process in New England before Marines were shipped to Al-Anbar, Iraq. "It allows us to question, Can the military be more peace-keeping in stability operations?" Der Derian asked. To supplement this research, the GMP has scheduled a workshop in late April that will "convene military and civilian experts to discuss from research perspectives as well as personal experience the theoretical, practical and ethical issues involved in the production, consumption, and circulation of 'cultural knowledge,'" according to the Watson Institute's Web site.
An expanding GMP
Increasingly, Brown students are lending their support to the GMP. A popular senior seminar offered this semester, IR 180 Sec. 95: "Global Media: History/Theory/Production," requires students to explore how media is used in international affairs. As part of the Marine Corps research, lieutenant colonels affiliated with the Eisenhower Series College Program recently visited to speak to students. This marked the first time officers from the program visited an Ivy League school.
The Marine Corps research is one of the GMP's principal efforts. Funded by a Solomon Grant and aided by Professor of Anthropology Catherine Lutz and Assistant Professor of International Studies Keith Brown, the research will examine how American troops are trained prior to traveling to various countries - specifically, looking at training designed to help troops better understand a given country's culture.
Members of the GMP filmed the training process in New England before Marines were shipped to Al-Anbar, Iraq. "It allows us to question, Can the military be more peace-keeping in stability operations?" Der Derian asked. To supplement this research, the GMP has scheduled a workshop in late April that will "convene military and civilian experts to discuss from research perspectives as well as personal experience the theoretical, practical and ethical issues involved in the production, consumption, and circulation of 'cultural knowledge,'" according to the Watson Institute's Web site.
An expanding GMP