Final Blog of the Summer!!!!

Part One: Ok, please post what you thought of the Pirates film and a tenative topic proposition (thesis with the word should in it) you and your partner plan to hotly contest and rigorously debate Tuesday. Try not to duplicate topics. NOTE: Humorous, obscure, feminist, cultural and otherwise unusual critical angles on minor aspects of the film that caught your attention are strongly encouraged...

Sandra's rule for life: Don't go for the obvious, its boring, predictable and easier for the teacher to grade you harshly on. The freaky stuff shakes people up and gets 'em thinking. Confuse authority, perplex people, take them off gaurd...But don't leave out transitions!!!!!!

Part Two of this Blog:Offer some input for a couple of your classmates to help them with their ideas.

SO--Two seperate postings required by each student, one with your own idea and opinion on the film, one offering feedback to others. Additional helping hands will earn extra credit. Finally, I have so enjoyed you all -- Thanks for being the best Public Speaking Team I have ever worked with and truly, thanks so much for the shower, and that lovely memory book you all wrote messages in for me! WOW! --what a special, rare treat! That meant so much to me! Please keep in touch through email and have terrific, speech-free rest of the summer. Blog On--AArrggghhhh!!!!!!

Pirates and the Like

So, we will meet on Tuesday next week, review the persuasive assignment, choose partners for the persuasive-debate-speeches and review some of the study guide for the final, which we will have to take when we meet next Thursday, before we go to see Pirates together at a theater near campus. Here's the Pirates Website if you want to get the jump on the persuasive speech: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/pirates/SO--Does anyone know if Bruceville Theater is the closest one for us to got to or what time it is playing next Thursday?

Ok, now, for this blog, let's use vivid language, a key to keeping the audience enthralled during your speeches. Three sentences minum for credit and don't forget your name: I will go first:

"The informative speeches on Thursday evening were magnificent! They were so poetic and moving, in fact, that I felt enlightened and emancipated from the heavy, postmodern angst that normally bogs me down, due to their rich, colorful wittiness and deep, probing insight. Bravo! BRAVO!!!! --Sandra

BLOG 3: Fallacies and Holidays in 3 EZ-Steps!

Next Tuesday, July 4th, we have no class...well, some of us never have any class...ahahahahahah....I know, I'm a laugh a minute...this play on words with the idea of "NO CLASS" meaning different things is a good way to slide into fallacies, found in Chapter 17. Slippery meanings in language can be a sneaky way to persuade an audience instead of using real evidence...If you plan to go on to take Coms 311, Argumentation, you will get into much more detail on these fallacies...they have to do with reasoning...for this blog,
1.) I will give the first example, (see above).
2.) The next person to post has to say what fallacy I used and then make up an example of a different fallacy, trying to stump the following person to post, etc...
3.) You must blog again to respond to the person that guessed your fallacy, tell them if they were right or wrong and what the correct answer was.

I will discuss this "no class" example of a fallacy I used in this blog above during class tonight, since not all the fallacies of reasoning are found in our book...Other popular fallacies include, (as seen on p 389-401) Bandwagon Appeals, Overly-Emotional Appeals, Non-sequitors, appeals to misplaced authority, ad hominem, Red Herring and Causal Fallacies...Fallacies as defined in the book are: "False reasonaing when some one attempts to persuade without adequate evidence or with arguments that are irrelevent and inappropriate" (Beebe & Beebe, p. 390). Happy Fourth and have a great day off next Tuesday!!!!--Sandra

Final Study Guide: Coms 301 Summer 2006

COMS 301 FINAL EXAM: Your own oh-so-helpful STUDY GUIDE
Chapter 2
SECTIONS
Understanding Nervousness
Building Confidence
Consider Audience
Vocab: general purpose, specific purpose, main ideas, invention

Chapter 3
SECTIONS
Listening Ethically
Be sensitive and tolerant to differences
Vocab: ethics, free speech, patchwork plagiarism, oral citation, written citation,

Chapter 4
SECTIONS
Information Overload
Predjudice
Listening and critical thinking
Vocab: facts, inferences, critical thinking, critical listening, evidence, reasoning, rhetorical criticism

Chapter 5
SECTIONS
Adapt to your Audience
Culture Ethnicity and Race
Religion
Identifying Nonverbal audience cues
Vocab: open-ended questions, values, target audience, ethnocentrism

Chapter 6
SECTIONS
Select and Narrow your topic
General Purpose
Specific Purpose

Chapter 7
SECTIONS
Personal Knowledge and Experience
Accuracy
Vocab: page 157 basic MLA format


Chapter 8
SECTIONSAnalogies : Literal Analogies, Figurative Analogies
Vocab :opinion, expert testimony, lay testimony

Chapter 9
Vocab: Chronological, recency, topical organization, primacy, complexity, signpost

Chapter 10
SECTIONS
Purpose of Introductions
Preview Main Ideas
Effective Introductions
Purpose of Conclusions
Summarize the Speech
Vocab: closure, rhetorical question, anecdote, credibility

Chapter 11
Vocab: mapping, figure 11.2 (see p. 250), preparation outline

Chapter 12
SECTIONS
Oral Style
Use Unbiased Language
Vocab: Denotation, connotation, metaphor, repetition, suspension

Chapter 13
Vocab: Nonverbal communication, extemporaneous speaking, inflection, picture on 294

Chapter 14
SECTIONS
Keep Sights and Sounds simple
Overhead Transparencies
Vocab: font
Review guidelines for using presentation aids (9 of them, ends on p 327)

Chapter 15
Vocab: Speech to inform, pedagogy, andragogy

Chapter 16
SECTION
Putting Persuasive Principles into Action
Vocab: persuasion, cognitive dissonance, figure 16.1, p. 360,
Chapter 17
Vocab: ethos, initial credibility, derived credibility, logos, inductive reasoning, deductive reasoning, syllogism, fallacy
Fallacies: Bandwagon (p 390), Hasty Generalization, Either-Or, Non-sequitor

Chapter 18: Toasts, introductory speeches, acceptance, eulogy, after-dinner speaking

Blog #2, After Dinner Speeches: Getting a Laugh

Hey Gang! That's Dave Chappelle as "Prince," a hilarious parody he does of the artist. For this blog, we are going to focus on effective use of humor...Anyone can be funny in public speaking, it is just a matter of timing, cues and permission to the audience. Visit this url to get a couple funny quotes from Ray Romano. http://www.workinghumor.com/quotes/ray_romano.shtml
Don't be afraid to memorize a few lines, they come in handy for speeches in a pinch!!! Now--Think of your favorite comdiene and why it is they crack you up...Humor has to be used appropriately and tastefully to work well in public speaking. It works great as an attention getter, but analyze your audience...will they think it's funny? Self depricating humor is a great way to go, making fun of yourself or your own family, culture, religion, etc. People respect some one who is not afraid to point to themselves and laugh. For this blog, take a stab at self depricating humor by telling a funny story or anecdote about you. Think of how this might turn into the attention getter for one of your speeches, sometimes funny life experiences become metaphors for serious, bigger picture issues. Don't ramble on too long, now! Humor relies on timing, so if your story goes on and on, you'll lose the audience...funny people are good editors, they know when and where to "cut stuff out." Too much detail is not funny, ok? It's boring! And remember: "Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint." (Mark Twain, borrowed on 6/12/06 from http://www.workinghumor.com/quotes/mark_twain.shtml).

Blog #1 or 5 for Coms 301 Summer Session

Hi Gang--For your first posting of the semester, I'd like you to use enumeration to tell us your name and three unique things about yourself. Enumeration is a great way to organize your speeches. I'll go first! (haha, get it???) I would like you to call me Sandra. My last name is Wheeler, I haven't changed over to my husband's last name...I might but I am torn between rebelling against the idea of women always giving up their names and/or identity to get married and the unity it does offer to share a name. Now, instead of talking about myself, let me tell you why enumeration is so cool: First of all, it is a form of sign-posting, which like transitions, is a way to keep the audience informed of where you are in the speech and how your thoughts CONNECT. Secondly, enumeration makes it easier for you as a speech maker not to lose your place and helps you memorize main points. Finally, enumeration is simple and safe for kids of all ages! Your turn, now click on comments below and remember to post as "anonymous," typing your name into your commments so you get credit for this posting!

Last Blog: All Classes, Due May 15th!!! ELVIS LIVES

This photo is one good reason to sign up for Coms 331, small group discussion...A somber, serious class where we unearth deep spiritual and philisophical truths about societal communication and Heidegairrian contingent truths. The great thinker, Elvis, could not have put it better when he said, "That's alright, Mama." For your final post, please consider 1.) Elvis, 2.) communication, and 3.) your Mama...Keep in touch, great hanging with you all this semester!--S (idnasss@yahoo.com)

All classes, due on May 9th: Summer Blow Out!

Well summer is almost upon us, so share one part of your big summer plan and apply some good ole communication vocabulary, something you learned this semester...ie: coms 301, try some persuasion, for coms 321, use some o perceptions or emotions and coms 331--Good ole system's theory? --S

Lisa, Odessa, Michelle and Jennifer: Summer Extravaganza

Post here to work on the final group speech. Smiles--S

Due on Cinco de Mayo! All classes!

For this blog, discuss something from hispanic culture and how it relates to communication for us here in the US--think influences and cultural links--Happy Cinco de Mayo Amigos!!!!--S

Irma, Mirza, Jimmy & Fermina: Summer Travel Blog

Exotic or romantic...what's it gonna be?--S

Summer, Jane, Chieh-Ming and Kelvin: Summer Travel Blog

Post away my blogging pals--S

Sweet Success!!!!!!

I WILL RECAP FOR YOU ON MONDAY FOR COMS 331WHEN WE MEET--REMEMBER TO EXPECT A QUIZ ON DECISION MAKING!
ALL CLASSES, 301, 321 AND 331 POST HERE FOR BLOG DUE ON MAY 2ND--PLEASE SHARE 3 TO 4 LINES ON FUND-RAISING AS A FORM OF COMMUNICATION -- WELL DONE TEAM, I'M PROUD!

COMS 331: Publicity Blog

Ok--It's your one-woman publicity blogger here...following is the press release/media alert I have developed, please review and offer any input. In addition, please send this out to anyone you can, including other classes, teachers and friends...we will continue to collect donations until next Monday, 4/24, at which time, the donations committee or myself will drop them off at Red Cross and get a grand total and a receipt. Post any last minute publicity ideas that you can expedite so I can give you credit for them and take the flyer into work, too! Post ideas, support and brainstorms on publicity here--S

COSUMNES RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE:
Contact Sandra Wheeler, (916)799-7930 or idnasss@yahoo.com

MEDIA ALERT—MEDIA ALERT—MEDIA ALERT—MEDIA ALERT
For Immediate Release (April 20th, 2006)
_______________________________________________________

WHO: Sandra Wheeler’s Communication Studies Students at Cosumnes River Community College

WHAT: Earth Day Celebration and Fund and Awareness Raising for 2006 Philippine Landslide Disaster Relief. Gifts with donation!

WHERE: Cosumnes River Community College, 8401 Center Parkway, Sacramento, California, 95823 in the Quad across from the library, middle of campus.

WHEN: April 20th from 930am—Noon

WHY: Students can Make Change with Change!!!

Join us this Thursday, 4/20 as we share our research findings about Earth Day, the fragile connection between the environment and natural disaster prevention and the recent horrific landslide on Leyte Island, where US Navy Ships have arrived today. Our goal is to raise awareness of the need in the Philippines and promote Earth Day by considering ways to prevent and assist with natural disasters throughout the world. As communication scholars, we feel a responsibility to promote the need and raise awareness, as well as accept small donations in exchange for snacks and prizes—spare change students might have left over from their bus faire or lunch money. CRC Communication Students are once again proving that STUDENTS CAN MAKE CHANGE WITH CHANGE

Blog Due by April 25th: Coms 321 and 301 only

Earthday festivities are this week--Thanks for bringing donations and giving of your time, volunteers! For this blog, please share something new you learned about the celebration of Earthday from making it a ficus in class. I sit an important holiday? Why or why not? What would be some fun ways to celebrate the holiday? Use your communication skills!

Earthday Updates from CRC

Hello all,
Join us on the quad for an Earth Day celebration on Thursday, April 20, from 9:30 am-1 pm. There will be many displays set up by our students and outside organizations, a drum circle, storytellers and a keynote address on recycling entitled "Talking Trash and Conserving Resources". The keynote address will take place from 12:30 - 1:30 pm in LRC 104. Flyers will be distributed to your mailboxes this week. A flyer is also attached to this email.
In addition, please note the volunteer activity on Saturday, April 22, at the Cosumnes River Preserve. Information is included in the flyer, on posters around campus and below.
Thank you for your participation,
The Earth Day Committee
Volunteer Activity – Saturday April 22
9:15 am – 3:30 pm
Cosumnes River Preserve Cleanup
We will participate in cleanup activities at the Cosumnes River Preserve, pulling weeds or conducting other work to improve this beautiful preserve in southern Sacramento County. Students who participate for a minimum of 3 hours will receive a free Earth Day T-shirt. Bring a lunch, and wear appropriate work clothes, including long sleeved shirts, long pants (no shorts), rain gear (if necessary) and sturdy shoes. The preserve will provide tools and drinks.
Advance sign-up is required by Wednesday, April 19, noon, in the Student Development Office, L103. For more information, contact Debra Sharkey (691-7210 or sharked@crc.losrios.edu) or Darlene Mathias (6917394 or mathiad@crc.losrios.edu).

Coms 301 and 321: Due 4/13

Spring is on its way...we hope! All this rain has our brains going soggy, so tell me this--What really bugs you? Use concepts from either conflict (coms 321) or informative speaking (coms 301) to elaborate! At least five sentences...

Coms 301 and 321: Blog Due 3/7

You guys are all working on public presentations for Earth Day on 4/20, and speeches for class...Keep up the great work! For this Blog, tell me in five lines or so, about a funny and embarassing experience you have had in front of other people. This is to use worse case scenario strategy to get you over your anxiety of speaking in front of people...If you can survive a really embarassing moment and laugh about it, you come to realize that nothing is as bad as it seems, right? RIGHT??? Blog on Virtual Brothers and Sisters!!!!

Zach, Louie, Lisa, Jane: Landslide Committee

Did I forget anyone's name? I hope you guys can discover a bunch of facts and background for the class to become better informed on this event. If you want to do nadouts for the class, email me an attachment and I will make copies for you...I hope you can help create the passion we need to make this event successful by making a far away event real, putting a face on what has happened. here are a few sites to visit:
http://www.redcross.org/news/in/profiles/philippines_mudslide.html
http://www.fh.org/focus_philippines
Any questions? Let me know and good luck--S

Vicki, Summer, Mirza, Becky, Michelle and Irma: Earthday Committee

Did I leave any name off the list? I suggested making some connections between Katrina dn The Landslide, only because they are both recent national disasters where The Red Croos has played a major role. Here are some possible site on the web to visit for posterboard, handout materials, etc (if you need multiple copies, email me an attachment and I will get copies made on campus before class Monday.)
http://www.worldwildlife.org/index.cfm?searchen=google
http://earthday.wilderness.org/
http://earthday.envirolink.org/
Any questions? Let me know--S

Tasha, Fermina, Odessa and Tony: Donations Committee

Did I leave anyone out? Hi gang--Please review the previous blog (the one marked: Earthday due 3/30) to get a list going of names and items people have volunteered to donate so you can let the class know on Monday what we have (thanks for the leis!) Many have already offerred donations, so mainly, just get a list of names and items, and coordinate how we can get the stuff here to campus for Thursday--work with logistics on that...And we need to come up with some way to collect donations in a sealed container (per CRC) that no onecould "dip into easily...any ideas? Also please help me to collect any change donations people have in class when we meet on the Monday's leading up to the event (I will collect from my other two classes for a combined effort). Determine a minimum donation amount (under a dollar) we will accept for a "gift" of cookies, leis, etc on 4/20. Pleae visit the Red Cross Website for information on what they do with small amounts of donation see www://redcross.org/ --Collect tearsheets on photos that might go well on your collaborative posterboard. Any questions? Smiles--Sandra

Logistics: Jennifer, Kelvin, Chieh-Ming, Chi, Jimmy and Dayleen

Hi gang! So far I have reserved two big tables and ten or so chairs for the 4/20 event, from 10-2 in the quad.Rachel Donham is the CRC contact for any logistics requests, if you want to email her, just email me and I will forward on your behalf.I will have students post on your blog pod here with their names and emails if they are physically available to help cover the booth for the four hour event (1 hour each). Do you have any questions about the assignment? Organization of record keepping will be key for you guys, I think! Smiles--S

Coms 321, 301 and 331: Earth Day 4/20 (Due 3/30)

Well, most of us have agreed that Earth Day, celebrated on 4/20 from 10a--2p in the CRC quad, would be a good time to raise money for The Red Cross and send it over to the Phillippine Island that suffered the landslide last month...1800 were killed in Guinsaugon. We will need to make a good connection between Earth Day and disaster preperation and relief efforts. Coms 301 will focus on connections between Katrina and The Landslide (lack of safe structures, poor areas, govt support, etc). Coms 321 will focus on relationships affected by the disaster and Coms 331 will have multiple committees to plan, organize and supply product for the event. 1.For this blog, please let me know if you can actually come on Thusday the 20th of April (for one hour shifts between 10am and 2pm). This will not be extra credit, but it will give you a "day off" from our regular meeting time on a day later in the semester. So let me know if you can definitely come, 2. which hour you can commit to and 3. if you have anything to contribute to the "gift for donation" pool, or things we can give away to those who donate money (baked goods would be great, coupons from your work, left-overs from your restaurant, simple home made jewelry, automobile advice, candy, etc). Finally, type one statement connecting this activity to your textbook. This will be fun! In the meantime, bring your spare change to class for the Red Cross:
STUDENTS CAN MAKE CHANGE WITH CHANGE!!!

3/20: Indie Speech Topic: Dazzle Me with Creativity!

Ok--Maybe that's too Hollywood--Just post here your unique indie topic and why you think we all care...Audience matters in your choice! Carefully read the other class members' choices first...repetition of topics is not allowed...After Monday--I may make a speech about how impressed I was with how hard you all studied for the midterm! I am proud of you! Smiles--S

Coms 321 and Coms 301: New Blog due March 20th

Hey guys! Hope you are watching out for tornados! The spring this year is sure...unpredictable! Check out the following video and post a comment about how it applies to one aspect of either public speaking or interpersonal communication: It's such a cool story! Smiles--Sandra

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/79325/scored_20_in_4_minutes/

NEGOTIATION AND CONFLICT: Coms 331 Only

I AM USING CAPS ON THIS BLOG BECAUSE IT IS LIKE YELLING, AND WHEN I THINK CONFLICT: I THINK YELLING AND STRESS! I DON'T LIKE CONFRONTATION MUCH LESS CONFLICT!!! Tell us about a time you used negotiation to resolve a conflict OR--If you yourself are conflicted over your approach to the midterm next Monday...negotiate with me on how you think the test should go...Good luck everyone! For inspiration outside the context of our class, but invloving a sports team in high school, check this out:

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/79325/scored_20_in_4_minutes/

Special Guest Blogger:Becky Mid Term Study Guide

Group 1 Terms and Definitions: Mirza, Kelvin, Jennifer, Irma
1. Ethics: pg. 19. A set of standards for moral behavior.
2. Systems: pg. 26. Interconnected parts that work together as a whole.
3. Ripple Effect: pg. 27-29. A chain reaction that starts at one part of the system and spreads across the entire system.
4. Synergy: pg. 29. Group performance that exceeds expectations.
5. Communication Competence: pg. 10. The ability to communicate in an effective and socially appropriate manner.
6. Group Hate: pg. 2. The hostility people harbor from having to work in groups.
7. Virtual Teams: pg. 3. A small group whose members interact by means of electronic technologies, not face to face. Often times across vast distances.
8. Hindsight Bias: pg. 5. The tendency to overestimate our prior knowledge once we have been given the correct information. (When you learn something and you tell yourself “I already knew that”).
9. Communication: pg. 11. A transactional process of sharing information and meaning with others. (Giving your own input).
10. Commitment: pg. 19. The conscious decision to invest time energy thought and feeling to improve one’s self or one’s relationships with others. (Commit yourself to achieve greatness).


Group 2 Terms and Definitions: Summer, Michelle, Becky
1. Critical Thinking: pg. 174. Analyzing and evaluating ideas and information to reach sound judgments and conclusions. (Small groups always use this).
2. Information Overload: pg. 175. The rate of information flow into a system and/or the complexity of that information exceeds the system's processing capacity; excessive input.
3. Information Bulimia: pg. 178. A binge-and-purge cycle of information processing. (Students cram facts into their heads right before a test).
4. Chunking: pg. 180. A process of recording information into larger more meaningful patters. (Have a plan, each player focuses on one key strategy).
5. Mindsets: pg. 182. Psychological and cognitive predispositions to see the world in a particular way, such as biases, preconceptions, and assumptions, that interfere with effective group making decision and problem solving.
6. Confirmation Bias: pg. 183. A tendency to seek information that confirms our beliefs and attitudes and to ignore or distort information that contradicts our currently held beliefs and attitudes.
7. False dichotomy: pg. 185. The tendency to view the world in terms of only two opposing possibilities when other possibilities are available, and to describe this dichotomy in the language of extremes. Dichotomies are usually false because in most instances there are usually more than two opposing possibilities.
8. Inferences: pg. 186. Conclusions about the unknown based on the known.
9. Vividness: pg. 194. The graphic, outrageous, shocking, controversial, dramatic event that draws our attention and sticks in our minds.
10. Correlation: pg. 197. A constant relationship between two or more variables.
11. Group Think: pg. 200. A mode of thinking that people engage in when they are deeply involved in a cohesive in-group, when the members are striving for a unanimous override their motivation to realistically appraise alternative courses of action.
12. Vigilance: pg. 204. The act of watching for something something to happen, or watching for danger.

Group 3: Terms and Definitions: Zach, Vicki, Jane, Lisa

1. Negative Synergy: pg 30. This will occur when group members working together do not accomplish what had been expected of the individuals based on their personal skills and abilities.
2. Adaptability: pg 34. Adjusting group boundaries as conditions change.
3. Openness: pg 34. Continuous change of information with outside environment. Openness and change go hand in hand in a system.
4. Input: pg 34. Having the ability to access information, ideas, and experiences from an outside environment.
5. Linguistic Barriers: pg 35. A form of communicating within a group that outside people wouldn’t understand.
6. Psychological Barriers: pg 35. Ways of making an individual unwelcome in a group.
7. Task Dimensions: pg 53. Work performed by a group.
8. Social Dimensions: pg 53. Relationships that form between group members and their impact on the group as a whole.
9. Cohesiveness: pg 53. Feeling that group members get where they feel a part of a group and want to stay within the group. With these feelings they are committed to another and their work.
10. Network: pg 36. The ability to control the access and flow of information within a group.
11. Groups: pg 48. A human communications system of three or more interacting to achieve a common goal. Members influence and are influenced by one another.
12. Size and Complexity: pg 42. As groups increase in the number of members, complexity increases. Larger groups have more conflicts.
13. Ideal Group Size: pg 44. The best size for a group is the smallest size capable of performing a task effectively.
14. Tuckman: pg 56-74. The four phases of group development:
1. Forming: Reason to join
2. Storming: Tension and disagreement
3. Norming. Regulative rules of the group
4. Performing. Group decision making.

Group 4: Terms and Definitions: Odessa, Mina, Tasha
1. Decision Making: pg. 174-245. Process of finding solutions to the problems. These include the groups participation, consensus and satisfaction.
2. Dewey Standard Agenda: pg. 212.
Problem Identification: Formulating the problem into a question.
Problem Analysis: Process where the group gathers facts and determines the cause and affect of the problem.
Solution Criteria: Standards by which decisions and solutions to the problems can be evaluated. This helps determine whether or not the decision makes sense.
Solution Suggestions: Brainstorming of possible solutions w/out evaluating any suggestions until the best alternatives are discovered.
Solution Evalution & Selection: Making sure that the solution is unbiased and effective.
Solution Implementation: Failing to implement a solution.
3. Decision Making Rules: pg. 218. 3 Principal decision making rules are majority, minority, and unanimity. These rules help a group achieve stability and reduce variability to their goals.
4. Majority Rule: pg. 219. Efficient and provides quick closure on relatively unimportant rules. Majority Rules are necessary to a larger groups democratic decision making.
5. Minority Rule: pg. 219. Minority group can make the final decision by either designating authority, assigning executive committees, or dominating less powerful groups.
6. Consensus: pg. 219. A mutual agreement among the members of a group where all valued concerns of each group member is to the satisfaction of the group.
7. Power: pg. 248. The ability to influence attainment of goals sought by yourself or others. The power of a leader depends on his or her relationship with the group.
8. Expertise: pg. 257-259. The ability to have valuable and useful information for a group. It is also the ability to understand and help the group use the information. The group needs an expert to function and must be convinced that the person is an expert.
9. Extrensic Reward: pg. 260. An external reward such as money, grades or recognition that motivates us to behave a certain way. They weaken a groups performance but they can also increase intrinsic motivation, (verbal praise).
10. Intrinsic Motivation: pg. 260. The motivation to do something enjoyable for its own sake. Teams that are intrinsically motivated perform better. They can be diminished by extrinsic rewards.
11. Definition and Power: The struggle of whose definition will be subscribed in the group reflects power struggle between individuals who want to be the leader.
12. Non-Verbal Power Indicators: pg. 253-256. Non-verbal behaviors and symbols that are different for subordinates and super ordinance.
· The powerful can violate the space of the less powerful.
· Postures and gestures
· Super ordinance can touch the less powerful
· The powerful give more eye contact
· The powerful have larger and better materials (i.e. Desk or office)


Group 5: Terms and Definitions: Tony, Chie-Ming, Chi
1. Competitions vs. Cooperation: pg. 87. Competition- as a process of mutually exclusive goal attainment (MEGA) Competition necessitates the failure of the many for the success of the few. Cooperation-is a process of mutually conclusive goal attainment. Your success is tied directly to the success of other group members.
2. Self Esteem: pg. 95. Comes from peers from being liked, accepted, connected. Cooperation enhances self esteem.
3. Interdependence: pg. 100. The goal is unattainable without the cooperation of group numbers, so we depend on eachother for success.
4. Hidden Agendas: pg. 107. Personal goals of group members that are not revealed openly and that can interfere with group accomplishment, this can create a defensive atmosphere.
5. Empathy: pg. 108. Thinking and feeling what you perceive another to be thinking and feeling.
6. Dogmatism: pg. 109. The belief in the self evident truth of one’s opinion.
7. Ambushing: pg. 113. Clearly competitive listening. It is a bias attack of a speaker verbally, not trying to understand the speaker’s point of view.
8. Paraphrasing: pg. 115. A concise response to the speaker which states the essence of the others content in the listener’s words. .
9. Role: pg. 118. A group role is the pattern of behavior expected of a group member.
10. Structure: pg. 118. The systematic interrelation of all parts to the whole.
11. Role reverse: pg. 119. Stepping into a role distinctly different from or opposite of a role we usually play.
12. Role Emergence: pg. 123. A relevant concern primarily to small informal leaderless groups without a history.
13. Leadership: pg. 128. A transitional influence process between leader and followers directed towards change.
14. Problem with trait approach to leadership: pg. 137. The principal problem with the trade approach to effective leadership is the assumption that leadership resides in the person, not in transactions conducted within the group context.
15. Readiness: pg. 139. Readiness level is one of the three variables in the situational model in performing a specific task, function, or objection that followers demonstrate.

Group 6: Terms and Definitions: Louie, Jimmy, Dayleen
1. Violence & Aggression: pg. 267. Violence is a product of aggression. The anger and frustration a victim of violence feels often becomes displaced when the victim attacks innocent, less powerful, targets.
2. Contempt: pg. 268. The verbal or non-verbal expression of insult that emotionally abuses others. Potent form of verbal aggression.
3. Compliance: pg. 268. The process of consenting to the dictates and desires of others. Involves both obedience and authority.
4. Expedient Conformity: pg. 269-270. Both obedience and conformity are forms of compliance. Conformity to group norms can sometimes prove to be a more powerful tendency than obeying authority.
5. Alliances: pg. 270. Mutual agreements between subgroups for a common objective.
6. Coalition: pg. 270. Temporary alliance.
7. All forms of resistance: See Below
Strategic stupidity-group member does not want to spend time and effort on projects.
Loss of motor function-pg. 272. Effective companion to strategic stupidity.
Misunderstanding Mirage-pg. 272. Use strategy of misunderstanding to avoid fault.
Selective Amnesia-pg. 273. When group members have selective memory loss about information given to them.
Tactical Tardiness-pg. 274. By not showing to class or arriving late you show your contempt.
Purposeful Procrastination-pg. 274. Putting off a task you dislike.
8. When power is imbalanced it easily encourages physical, non-physical, verbal and non-verbal aggression. Pg. 269.
9. Assertiveness: pg. 279. Not a form of resistance but compliance ability to communicate the full range of your thoughts.
10. Conflict: pg. 286 A struggle of inner connected parties to perceive incompatible goals and interference from each other and obtaining goals.
11. Constructive Conflict: pg. 288 competent communication and action. A principle focus is on trying to achieve a solution between struggling parties that is mutually satisfactory to everyone.
· Collaborating – pg. 294 Problem solving
· Accommodation- pg. 294 Yielding
· Compromising- pg 294 Open minded
· Avoiding- pg 294 withdrawing
· Competing- pg 294 Power/forcing
Managing Your Anger: pg 312
1. Refrain self talk
2. Listen non-defensively
3. Deliberately calm yourself
4. Find distractions
Managing the Anger of Others
1. Be asymmetrical
2. Validate the other person
3. Probe
4. Distract
5. Assume a problem orientation
6. Refuse to be abused
7. Disengage

Coms 331: Post during the week of 3/6-3/12

Okay team, sorry to confuse you about blogging, but this is where you should be for our current mandatory blog after meeting for class last night on 3/6, which, by the way, was an awesome and super interesting opprotunity for me to hear how smart and talented and empathetic you all are! For this blog, please comment on Liz and her WEAVE presentation last night, making some connections between her speech and her outreach work and Chapters 4 and 5. Multiple postings in response to classmates' comments are encouraged and will recieve bonus points (2 per additional entry). Let's get a conversation going! Have a great week, remember to peruse chapters 1 -9 and rest up for modterm review next Monday evening! Also, watch your attendance and tardiness, remember how it effects your grade! See you Monday! Keep blogging your Earth Day/Phillipine DisasterRelief ideas on the previous blog! Smiles--Blog-Head

Coms 331: Underground Railroad Pod Group 5

Sandra's Group Discussions Pod #5
Ana G., Jennifer, Kelvin, Cheh-Meing and Chi-Hsuan Lin are in this group. Enjoy!

Sandra's Group Discussion Pod #4: Coms 331 Underground Railroad

Sandra's Group Discussion Pod #4
In this group we have Cherina, Jimmy, Annette and Dayleen

Coms 331 and Underground Railroad: Pod 3

Sandra's Group Discussions Pod #3
This group includes Becky, Vicki, Veronica, Summer, Michelle M., Mirza, Chevis and Irma. Good luck and get creative!

Pod 2: Coms 331 and Underground Railroad

Sandra's Groups Discussion Pod #2
This group consists of Zach, Patricia, Lisa H., Louie K. and Jane K. and Ann P. Good luck and have fun!

POd #1: Coms 331 Underground Railroad

Sandra's Groups Discussion Pod #1
This group consists of Anthony B., Fermina, Dayleen, Odessa and Tasha. Have fun and get creative team!

Fourth Blog Post: Coms 321, 331 and 301

Great input on the Phillipine Disaster. We do have an exciting CRC campus opportuinty to participate in Earth Day as a way to raise money for The Red Cross, the charity most of you mentioned as preferred. It would be in April and we could connect to the event by raising awareness of safety and natural disater preparedness and governemnt responsibility in the Quad with posters and music, etc. Day and time TBA, if you can't come you can help in other ways to prepare! We could also highlight the uniqueness of Phillipino culture and how special the lives that we lost were to the world. The three classes can do this together, but we need an easy, uncomplicated way to raise money, so I like to stick with just collecting change: gET IT: Change makes CHANGE! Every little bit helps and even though we don't have a lot of extra, we can make a difference, so bring in your spare change for classes throughout March and let me know if you have a good idea for a symbolic gift we could offer to others who donate their change to us at Earth Day (really cheap and'or free, connected to Phillipino Culture) Also tell me how our combined fundraising effort applies to at least one concept from our text book in this blog, underline the term you have slected and identify the chapter and book it is from!
Smiles--Sandra

Coms 301, 321 and 331: Third Blog Post

Okay, this is an all class post. Hello to you all from the Western Communication Conference in Palm Springs California. It is freezing down here! I showed my movie to a group of performance studies scholars today, I was very nervous. I got some good laughs, though!

Current Events: Regarding the recent landslide disaster in the Philippine Islands, tell me what it means to communication scholars. How can we help? What does our discipline have to offer in order to address natural disasters? Can you suggest a charity we should associate with if we want to contribute as a class or group? As students, what is our social responsibility? I am open to extra credit for ideas that can actually move our classes to action or those of you that are motivated to ACT in the face of the recent disaster. Think outside the box/act outside the classroom/make an active difference!--Sandra

All Coms Classes: Post CRASH Ex Credit Here

If you would like to earn extra credit for the Crash assignment, carefully follow the directions of the handout I gave you and post your extra credit comments here. Sandra

COMS 331: Group Discussion CRASH Assignment

Here it is as promised, hope to see you there (CSUS, off Howe Ave. and Hi. 50 in The Union by the library) on Monday and NOT in our classroom at CRC, don't forget! -- S

COMS 331: Crash and Chapter 6
Cultural Context, Perspective and Stereotypes

This project will require a viewing of the film CRASH. A free viewing and discussion with the screenplay author will be held at Sac State on February 13th. The movie shows at noon and 5 and the screenwriter’s discussion is at 730pm. Hope you can make it!

Group Planning and Logistics:
Extra credit of 25 points is available if you organize, rideshare and attend within a small group, using cell phones to meet up and participate in a brief follow-up discussion on logistics only, all to be reported on the blog by Feb 20.

The assignment is as follows:
Read Chapter 6.
View the film and, if you can-hear the screenplay writer’s discussion @730pm.
Review Chapter 6.
Apply key concepts to examples from the film, including roles, confirmation bias, under representation, false dichotomies and prejudices, inferences versus facts, vividness, and correlation versus cause, group think and vigilance.

Remember: The film uses representative groups to portray “slices” of various cultures. This in itself is a generalization. Groups in the film include gender, race, ethnicity and profession as well as political. The stars of the film move in and out of various social contexts to reveal multiple perspectives and rationale for their seemingly rigid or stereotypical behaviors. For instance, in one group, Matt Dillon’s character is a cop, a member of a professional organization that seems to confuse facts with inferences and correlation with causation. But we also see him in the context of family member and son, and rescue team member and an HMO member. This entire film is constructed to open up dialogue about stereotypes that is honest and accounts for the reality that some validation exists for generalized thinking but it can be tempered by competent communication.

Group Division:
Your group can split the work in various ways: Each person takes a character and applies the concepts OR each person takes a different scene from the movie OR each person takes on a different stereotype OR each person takes a different key concept and applies various elements of the film to that concept. You should use citations from three sources, one can be the textbook and one can be the film itself. A references sheet in APA or MLA is included in the assignment. Visual aids, clips, and various interest pieces are encouraged as is audience interaction, one per group. Each group will lead a 3 minute roundtable discussion with one prompt question. Individuals should submit a three-page typed report on the film and the concepts listed above underline or bold your use of the concepts. You will share the highlights from your paper during your group presentation (2 minutes each).

Coms 321 Blog II: Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder

Well, now that you have been exposed to perceptions as an interpersonal process, think of:
1. A time when you and a good friend disagreed dramatically on how much a film rocked/sucked
2. How hot or not another person at a club was for you and a friend
3. How you or a friend's fashion choice led to an "Oh, no you -dih-ent" moment.....

Reveal one of these three above to your classmates and me here on the blog and then answer the following questions:

What would it be like if everyone had the same perceptions or opinions?
What advantages are there in everyone perceiving things and people in the same way? What disadvantages?
Would we want to live in a world in which we all saw things in the same way? Or all saw everything differently?

Sincerely,
The Blogkeeper

Public Speaking COMS 301: Your second BLOG!

Hey My Favorite Oratory Geniuses!Here is your next top secret BLOG assignment should you choose to accept it (like you have a choice, I know): Read the transcript from the President's State of the Union Speech at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/01/31/politics/main1264706.shtml

1.What do you think now that you are trained professionals?
2. Who does Bush try to reach as his primary audience? How can you tell?
3. What does he seem to think we/they want to hear?
4.Give an example by quoting one strong statement that resonates (stands out) with you and breaking it down critically.
5. If you heard the president speak or can watch it on real player, compare the oral speech given in President Bush's unique delivery style to what it is like to read the words silently from the page. Pay attention to the vocabulary choices and types of words used to convey patriotism.

Quote for the day: "If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something." Have fun and don't disrespect other people's viewpoints, ok?--Your Blog Master

Sandra's Group Discussions Pod #5

Renee, Ana G., Natasha, Jennifer, Anthony T. and Chi-Hsuan Lin are in this group. Enjoy getting to know each other!

Sandra's Group Discussion Pod #4

In this group we have Cherina, Thuy, Rebecca, Pahoua, Jimmy, Roman and Chieh-Ming Chiang. Good luck everyone! Have fun!

Sandra's Group Discussions Pod #3

This group includes Vicki, Veronica, Summer, Michelle M., Mirza, and Irma. Good luck and get creative!

Sandra's Groups Discussion Pod #2

This group consists of Zach, Patricia, Lisa H., Louie K. and Jane K. and Ann P. Good luck and have fun!

Sandra's Groups Discussion Pod #1

This group consists of Anthony B., Fermina, Carlos, Dayleen, Odessa and Matthew. Have fun and get creative team! Color: Orange

Interpersonal/ Group Comms & Public Speaking

Hi Everyone!
Welcome to the blogosphere in Spring of 06! Blogging is a big part of your grade in my classes! It doesn't suck, plus it provides us with a way to make learning comms vocabulary and ideas easier. Come on in and chat any time, please leave out the profanity and stay on subject as much as possible without getting bored! The first blog will be simple, 3 steps: just click onto comments below, 1) tell us who you are, 2) your fave movie and 3) make a short response to a classmates comment.
Smiles--Sandra
PS: I'll go first for an example -- K?
1) I am Sandra --your comm-YOU-nik-a-shun teacher. I like good conversation, current events, following trends, jogging, eating cheese, laughing HARD and striving to achieve the precarious, death-defying balance of being smart yet cool. Hey: What is a better, newer word for cool? It is up to you to keep me from getting too out of it, on trends, fashion and hip hop beats, I need you guys! 2) Fave movie: Its a tie: You, Me and Everyone We Know and Lost In Translation. Has Anyone else seen Grizzlyman yet? It's on DVD...3) Sandra's class sounds difficult yet amazingly beneficial to all facets of my life...(WINK!) K-Next??????