AUCC launches Centre for Media, Religion and Culture

Accra, Nov. 15, GNA – The African University College of Communication (AUCC) on Thursday launched a Centre for Media, Religion and Culture for the institution to critically explore the interface between those three fields of studies.      The centre is to be a research and teaching centre, dedicated to bringing together professionals in the three academic fields and the public to generate information that could lead to a comprehensive and systematic understanding of society and ultimately contribute to the furtherance of inter religious and social peace in the country.       Mr Kojo Yankah, President of the College said the launch was to add to the study and teaching of the various patterns of communication that could be applied to the numerous religious structures and forms.      He said there appeared to be a struggle amongst technologies, communication tools, and cultures, but lurking in the background was the force of religion and it’s phenomenal impact and influence on society.        Mr Yankah said the AUCC would continue to provide the platform for academic and professional discourse on religion, media and culture, adding that “this would be a significant contribution to the world of knowledge”.      Professor Kofi Asare Opoku, Senior Vice President of AUCC and Director of the Centre, said religion and culture were inextricably intertwined in traditional society.     “Religion, culture, politics and societies were an integral part of a seamless whole in which no part could stand on its own... thus tradition continues to be part of the substratum of contemporary social reality which calls for thorough and critical investigation.       “Islam and Christianity have added to the complexity of the religious and cultural landscape,” he said, adding that “This also calls for analysis and interpretation through ground-breaking and painstaking research by faculty and students of the centre”.      Prof. Asare-Opoku said the centre would contribute to the shaping and understanding of media, culture and religion, and provide the opportunity to bring the results of research to bear upon real life experiences.      He noted that the centre would emphasize on dialogue that leads to the understanding between scholars, practitioners, and the general public.       Professor Stewart Hoover, Director, Centre for Media, Religion and Culture of the University of Colorado, indicated that the world had changed and the assumption of those studies must change as well, saying "to exist today, religion and media plays a very critical role."      He said in order to understand religion, culture and the media, it was important to look at it from the point of technology and history, adding that media interpretation of religion would enable journalists to understand the best aspect of religion in today’s world.     Professor Hoover noted that the course would focus on knowledge acquired through research to be transmitted by organizing professional and undergraduate courses focusing on the intersection of media, religion and culture, as well as the running of short courses for media practitioners and religious functionaries aimed at increasing their professional efficiency.   GNA... Read Full Story