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Going global
Greenlee School's Lulu Rodriguez's multicultural efforts in the
classroom earn her a LAS Master Teacher Award.
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Lulu Rodriguez, associate professor in the Greenlee School of Journalism
and Communication, says incorporating international issues in her classroom
is a must.
"You can't escape the fact that we've gone global," she said.
"There are so many things that you have to study and not to look
at the global implications would be a disservice to our students."
In each professional (visual communication) and analytical graduate course
she teaches, Rodriguez includes statements about diversity and inclusivity
with a multicultural theme and augments that with content and research.
The bulk of Rodriguez's undergraduate teaching responsibilities involves
the inculcation of visual literacy, which she says requires understanding
why visual techniques are chosen, how they work, and most importantly,
how to use these techniques effectively.
"Communication students need to cultivate their sensitivity to the
way their messages translate across cultures," she said.
Rodriguez's multicultural efforts in the classroom have resulted in the
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) naming her one of five LAS
Master Teachers for 2003-04. The five were selected on the basis of their
multicultural classroom activities.
In her visual communication courses, Rodriguez shares her own experiences
not only as a professional who has worked in East and Southeast Asia,
but also as a native of the Philippines.
She has worked as a development communication consultant for the World
Bank and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Rodriguez's expertise is in science and visual communication. Concerning
the latter, she says students, and really everyone, has to understand
the global effect graphics has in publications and broadcasts.
While a graduate student at Cornell University, Rodriguez developed a
communication strategy for the institutionalization of the farming systems
research and extension approach in the Philippines.
Later at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she conducted the survey
and experimental research activities aimed at determining variables that
affect the adoption of recommended agricultural practices.
In both cases, she says it is important to view the multicultural implications
of all communication strategies.
"Most brochures, especially those produced in the business world,
must be designed not only for this country but abroad as well," she
said. "The type of logo, the wording, colors used or even the design
have to be produced with a thought to understanding your audience.
"That is an integral part of what a communications professional does.
You have to know your audience."
Much of Rodriguez's recent research has focused on genetically modified
organisms (GMOs) and the resulting public perception of food safety issues.
In the fall of 2003, she spent the semester in the Philippines and Thailand.
"For Americans and most Europeans, most GMOs are typically mentioned
in terms of food safety," she said. "But in the Third World,
the debate centers on the difficulties that part of the world is having
- namely, food security and hunger."
Around LAS
December 1-21, 2003
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