Understanding Media Studies
Eli F. Bleich

Academic Plan:

One of the first things I learned along my professional career path was to go slow. And I think I’ll take that lesson along with me into my academic career. I’m not in a hurry to get anywhere.

Taking time to discover ‘things’… or letting those ‘things’ discover me… has always brought me the most joy in life. It’s the journey…not the destination… that counts.

This semester has exposed me (once again) to the rigors (and rigidity) of academic structure. But it has also exposed me to the opportunities that go along with that approach. It has certainly been interesting to meet many members of the faculty, along with many of my fellow colleagues. I have formed some opinions as to which members of the faculty I would like to study further with, as they seem to have something of interest to offer (at least to me).

While my background has been predominantly focused around politics and propaganda, there are other areas of study that I plan to pursue as well. The study of a foreign language like Spanish, for example, would seem useful for me in the pursuit of my goals… particularly in Latin America.

Other languages that I need to learn are those of all the newer technologies. Therefore, it seems that a number of classes in those disciplines will certainly need to be included in my studies.

At the heart of my study lies an interest in the role of the media in revolution (both violent, and non-violent). I'd like to take a closer look at how the application of different messages in different media affects the outcome of revolution, and compare outcomes in similar…and/or different situations.

Then I'd like to develop a media plan for revolution (based on historical experience), and see if it can be applied successfully in a real life situation.

While I am primarily interested in applying these methods in revolutionary situations like Spain’s conflict with the Basque (ETA), or the longstanding Israeli Palestinian state of affairs, or the IRA struggle against the British, or Columbia and the FARC and Peru and the Shining Path, or even Afghanistan (with the US) against the Taliban and Al Qaeda… even in non-violent revolutionary situations like Chavez’ Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela and the Anti-Chavez faction… how various media techniques are applied in support of…or in suppression of revolution… would be central to my study.