Introduction
Binational Association of Schools of Communication of the Californias
The Binational Association brings together Communication educators and students from the US/Mexico border region. Founded in 1990, the Binational Association was motivated by the belief that engaging in communication across borders is increasingly important. The association creates opportunities for interactions among faculty, graduate and undergraduate students that result in a deeper understanding of the process communication. The mission of BINACOM is to facilitate ethical communication and demystify the stereotypes associated with the border.
The primary activity of BINACOM is to organize a biennial Encounter, at which communication students and educators from across the region present and discuss their work. Held every two years, the event showcases films, photographs, multi-media productions, and academic research conducted within the border region. During the 2-day event, students and professors learn from one another and are able to engage with artistic expression and scholarship from varied view points. Each event is host to two keynote speakers who highlight the theme from a US and Mexican perspective.
The group is working on producing a full-length feature film based on a documentary created by a member, Laura Castañeda. The ficitional script was written by members, Russel and Jennifer Redmond. Click here to view the trailor.
The 2011 Encounter was hosted by UABC, Tijuana with the theme “Communication and Citizenship” April 8-9, 2011. Keynote speakers included Toby Miller and Guillermo Orozco.
The 2009 Encounter was hosted by the University of San Diego with the theme “Communication in Action: Building Communities Across Borders.” Featured speakers included Gregory Nava, noted film director who spoke in reference to the 25th anniversary of his landmark film El Norte and Federico Campbell, author and cultural critic, known for his book titled Tijuana: Stories on the Border. Approximately 200 attendees from the US and Mexico were at the event.
Every other year BINACOM hosts a Research Symposium that showcases academic research and artistic productions conducted by faculty and graduate students at member institutions. In May 2010 the University of Sonora, Hermosillo hosted the event. Faculty from UCSD, USD, UABC, Mexicali, and UNISON participated in the event.
BINACOM is an institutional member of the International Communication Association (ICA) and organizes a panel to highlight academic research conducted by faculty at member institutions for its annual conference.
The Binational Association member institutions include: The Autonomous University of Baja California, Mexicali and Tijuana; Iberoamericana University, Tijuana; San Diego City College; San Diego State University; the University of California, San Diego; the University of San Diego; and the University of Sonora, California State University, Northridge.
The Binational Encounter | History and Philosophy of the Binational
Association Officers and Structure of the Binational Association | Further Resources | Showroom