Arthur Asa Berger | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1933 (age 90–91) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Education | Roxbury Memorial High School for Boys |
| Spouse | Phyllis Berger |
| Children | 2 |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | San Francisco State University |
| Thesis | Li'l Abner: A Study in American Satire (1964) |
| Doctoral advisor | Mulford Q.Sibley |
| Website | decoderman |
Arthur Asa Berger (born 1933) is an American academic and author known for his contributions to the field of media studies. He is currently a Professor Emeritus in Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts at San Francisco State University.[1]
Born in 1933, Berger grew up in a Jewish household but received a Catholic education in his public high school. Most of his teachers were Catholics who had been educated at prestigious institutions such as Boston College or College of the Holy Cross. Berger developed a keen interest in writing and drawing during his formative years.[2] In 1954, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in literature and philosophy from the University of Massachusetts. Berger believed that his broad education would equip him for a variety of professions. However, driven by his passion for writing, he decided to pursue a graduate degree in journalism. Initially enrolling at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1954, he later transferred to the University of Iowa, where he had the opportunity to work with influential figures like Marguerite Young. During his time at Iowa, Berger also studied philosophy under Gustav Bergmann, a notable member of the Vienna Circle. Shortly after completing his Master's degree, he was drafted into the Army in 1956 and discharged in 1958. Following his military service, Berger embarked on a year-long journey through Europe.[vague]
Upon returning from Europe, Berger enrolled in the PhD program in American Studies at the University of Minnesota. After completing his doctoral studies, he joined the faculty of San Francisco State University, specifically the department of Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts. In this capacity, he taught courses on writing and media criticism, sharing his expertise and passion for understanding the role of media in society. Over the course of his career, Berger has authored more than 130 articles and written over 70 books. His works cover a wide range of topics, including media theory, popular culture, semiotics, and visual communication. Berger's contributions to academia have been widely recognized, and his works have been cited extensively by scholars from around the world.[3] He has also held academic positions at prestigious institutions, including the University of Milan in Italy, Jinan University and Tsing Hua University in China, and has been a Fulbright Senior Specialist, delivering lectures on semiotics in Argentina.[4]
Berger is married to Phyllis Berger, and together they have two children. Their son Gabriel pursued his undergraduate studies at Harvard University and holds a Ph.D. in mathematics from Columbia University. He currently works for Google. Their daughter Nina obtained a doctorate from an institute specializing in psychoanalysis and now practices as a psychoanalyst. Jason Berger, the late Boston landscape painter, was Arthur's brother. In addition to his academic pursuits, Berger maintains a personal weblog called "Decoder Man."[5]
