Purdue News

January 29, 1999 4 books by Calumet prof offer perceptions of U.S., Mideast HAMMOND, Ind. -- If Yahya Kamalipour, Purdue University Calumet professor of communication, has learned anything about international relations from the four books he has edited, it is the impact that media images have on perceived reality. "Media images form our perceptions," said the Crown Point resident and editor of the just-published "Images of the U.S. Around the World: A Multicultural Perspective." "Our perceptions become reality, and that reality, often fictitious, constitutes the very basis for our daily interaction with other peoples and cultures." As an example, Kamalipour cited the American television program, "Baywatch." "That show is watched across the world, on national and satellite television channels," he said. "The perception it generates is that America is a huge beach -- all play, pleasure and no work -- a world in which all dreams can come true, even if one doesn't work." In "Images of the U.S. Around the World," published earlier this month by the State University of New York Press, Kamalipour uses the perspectives of 30 scholars and researchers from 20 nations to examine how America is perceived abroad. Those perspectives are based largely on media portrayals of America within the contributors' homelands. Kamalipour, a Purdue Calumet faculty member since 1986, has edited three other books: "Cultural Diversity and the U.S. Media" (with Purdue Calumet colleague Theresa Carilli), published last fall, focuses on various American cultural and ethnic groups and their representation in the U.S. media. "The U.S. Media and the Middle East: Image and Perception," published in 1995, explores the ramifications of negative depiction of Arabs, Moslems, Iranians, Turks and women by the U.S. media. This book earned Kamalipour, a native of Iran, the 1996 Distinguished Book Award from the International and Intercultural Division of the National Communication Association. "Mass Media in the Middle East: A Comprehensive Handbook" (with Hamid Mowlana), published in 1994, provides detailed information about the media and telecommunications in 21 Middle East nations. Kamalipour also is working on three other books. One will examine the confluence of religion, law and freedom in various nations. Another will focus on media coverage of such societal problems as violence, drug abuse and sexual promiscuity. The third will explore the history, growth, socio-political and economic aspects of international communication. During the course of these projects, Kamalipour said, he has worked with more than 200 researchers and scholars throughout the world. As editor, he explained, he develops a blueprint for what he wants to accomplish with each book. He then invites scholars with national and international reputations to participate in the projects. Kamalipour's main motive in producing books of this nature, he said, is to build bridges of understanding. "In today's image-driven cultural environment, we need to understand the perceptions and misconceptions people have on both sides," he said. Asked what lessons he has learned from his books, he said: "There are many. Mass media influences practically every aspect of our lives. Capitalism is encoded in movies, TV series and commercials. We now live in a consumer culture, a culture which has become global." It also is evident that English is the global language, he said. "The Internet is primarily in English," he said. "This means that if people want to benefit from the information superhighway, they have to know English." Kamalipour said his research also indicates that American perceptions of the Middle East are overwhelmingly negative "because there is very little positive information in the U.S. media about that region of the world." CONTACT: Kamalipour, (219) 989-2880 Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page