University of Virginia Library

Speech Department Initiates Program
For Intercultural Communication Study

By LIBBY WITHERS

A new crosscultural
program focusing on
international and intercultural
communication will begin next
semester under the University's
speech and drama department.

Department chairman
Michael H. Prosser says the
program will include
undergraduate and graduate
study levels. The department
plans creation of a Ph.D.
program within the next few
years.

The crosscultural program
evolved as a special faculty
request, Mr. Prosser said, and
will become an important part
of the speech department next
summer when it becomes an
individual unit.

'Fascinating Area'

Theodore J. Marr, a new
faculty member, will teach one
of the courses to be offered
next semester. He described
communication studies as "a
fascinating area for present
world contacts."

"We are living in a global
village," he said. "China is our
next-door neighbor, therefore
intercultural communication is
very important."

Courses Fit Present Era

Mr. Marr also stressed the
importance of the program as a
discipline, since research and
study of intercultural exchange
are coming to the forefront
of present education.

"One of the crucial assets of
human civilization is the ability
to communicate. We don't
really understand the values
and problems of different
cultures," he said.

Very few colleges and
universities in the country have
a similar program in their
curricula.

Four Courses Offered

The University will offer
four courses next semester
dealing with crosscultural
communication. They include
"Third World
Communication", and
"Intercultural
Communication" on the
undergraduate level; and
"Studies in Intercultural
Communication" and "Studies
in Developmental
Communication" on the
graduate level.

New Teachers Hired

Besides Mr. Prosser and Mr.
Marr, two other new faculty
members, William J. Starosta
and Donald W. Jones will
participate in the program.

Mr. Marr also expressed the
department's hope for
University-wide activities, such
as conferences and lectures, on
the subject. "We all feel the
importance and relevance of
this program; therefore we
want to benefit the entire
University," he said.

The University
administration has approved
speech and drama department
plans for the program.
Applications will be submitted
next spring for a $30,000 U. S
Office of Education Grant for
innovative undergraduate
international studies programs
and for a $40,000 graduate
study grant.

The department was
ineligible for the grant this year
because of technicalities
relating to other existing
University programs under the
same title.