In July 2001, the graduate program had the distinct pleasure and privilege of being able to bring Barry Duncan to the campus, from Toronto. Mr. Duncan founded Canada's Association for Media Literacy and was instrumental in winning the battle to have media literacy included in Ontario's curriculum. A recipient of the Jesse McCanse award for individual contributions to media literacy, Duncan is also the author of Mass Media and Popular Culture. In addition to his classroom activities, Barry was also able to take in a Doc Watson concert, hike at Linville Falls and explore Cherokee. Mr. Duncan's presence on the campus signifies Appalachian's intention to promote an international perspective on media education, including its roots in Canada, the U.K. and Australia.

 

 

Lively debate, dialogue and instructional conversation played a central role in the class.	Barry Duncan and David Considine discuss Canadian, and U.S. approaches to media education.	Connecticut middle school teacher, Belinha DeAbreu makes a point as Margaret Watkins listens.

 

In his exploration of GLOBAL ISSUES AND MEDIA LITERACY, Duncan argued that the forces of globalization have created a market driven , global economy , promoting privatization, downsizing and deregulation, including the loosening of environmental laws. The sessions addressed the corporate take over of public space and were timely enough to include an examination of news bias in coverage of the Genoa trade protests that summer in Italy.

An extensive readings list and an exciting series of clips included :

*Media Education and the Development of Critical Solidarity, Robert Ferguson.

*Being Young in the Digital Age, Julian Sefton Green.

*No Logo by Naomi Klein.

*Media and Audiences: Explorations in Response and Cultural Reception, Barry Duncan

*Manufacturing Concept, Noam Chomsky and

*Merchants of Cool.

 

 

	A lively reading of The True Story of the Big Bad Wolf elicits laughter from some of the students[ at left]. On the right, Barry 's global approach included Ugur Maner a Turkish Cypriot from Northern Cyprus, and Sister Clothilde, a Pauline nun from the Philippines.