Newswise — In the 18th and 19th centuries, something rather fascinating occurred. The part of the world we typically call “the West” suddenly showed tremendous growth in population, change in technology and production of wealth. Boise State University professor Rick Moore is available to discuss this phenomenon, which is the focus of a Foundational Studies course he will teach this fall with Dr. Shelton Woods from the Department of History.

The tremendous leap that the West took into what we think of as “modernity” is very puzzling. Why did the West achieve this amazing level of change so quickly, when the East did not? What factors might be considered as the most important causes of this phenomenon? And now the pendulum is swinging the other way. In recent years, a handful of countries in Asia have seen tremendous vitality. Some observers believe that these countries soon will surpass the West in regard to economic and political power. What are the causes of this subsequent occurrence? The examination of these questions will be intriguing to those who enjoy the study of history, geography, technology, political science, communication and other disciplines.

Dr. Rick Moore is an associate professor in the Department of Communication at Boise State University. He teaches courses in mass media analysis and criticism, and his research investigates how media reflect, shape and challenge the dominant ideologies of the cultures in which they operate. Much of his recent publication has been related to how the media interact with religion. Moore has published articles in a number of periodicals, including The Journal of Communication, The Journal of Media and Religion, Mass Media and Society, and Journalism Studies. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon.

Listen to a podcast on this topic by Dr. Moore, and learn about a number of other Boise State University faculty experts, at http://beyondtheblue.boisestate.edu/, Boise State’s award-winning website of podcast presentations on a wide range of relevant topics.