Concepts for Further Review

Personally, I think everything was discussed thoroughly, as to say none of the concepts are still cloudy or need further explanation.  However, I would have enjoyed more information into devices used to manipulate.  I am really interested in the way things affect people’s behavior and outcomes directly related to a single word or phrase.  This also extends to the marketing section of the text.  I would have really enjoyed further information on marketing tactics and ploys.  This is important for every consumer to know so they don’t fall into these tricky marketing traps.  Also, the difference between inductive and deductive arguments is not firm in my mind.  It’s not that it was not thoroughly explained or poorly explained, I just find it hard to remember, unlike other course concepts.  I think every concept was explained well, straightforward, and easy to grasp, with my personal exception of the inductive and deductive arguments. 

Highs and Lows

My favorite thing about this class was being able to write our posts on our own time.  Although some of the posts were more difficult to reach word count, it was still nice to be able to see other people’s posts and get ideas on what to write.  One thing I did not like was the 12 hour separation.  This was purely my own fault however, because some weeks I really procrastinated, leaving me to post my final topic a few minutes before midnight.  However, my least, least, least favorite part of this class was the group work.  It was extremely difficult to coordinate schedules, and get everyone’s motivation to the same level.  I think with an online class, there is a huge mixture in the dedication of the students, making it challenging to find committed group mates.  I think this class would be a lot better without the group work.  Each individual should write his/her own papers.  Also, instead of having to gather people to evaluate their arguments, students could view a video on YouTube or some other video site, which contains multiple course concepts and then evaluate and write about the general video. 

Semester Lessons

Throughout the course of this semester, I have learned a lot of valuable information from this class.  Some is from being in an online class, and the rest is content itself.  The most important thing I am taking away from this class is a greater value on self-reliance.  In other words, this class taught me to be checking updates and staying informed on class information.  Unlike a physical attendance class, the teacher is not in front of you, reminding you what to do and when it is due, like many on campus professors.  Content wise, I think the most important lesson of the class was learning how words can be used to manipulate our emotions, thoughts and decisions.  I knew this was happening in everyday life, but to put a name to the concepts and terms made them more real; for example, slanted questions, the many fallacies, and the various appeals.  Now that I have a name for the concepts stored in my brain, when I encounter them in real-life situations, I will more readily spot them.   

Mission Critical and Causal Arguments

The Mission Critical website is obviously under construction and definitely needs it.  The Mission Critical link (http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/itl/graphics/main.html) is the homepage, or “main menu” of the site.  This page is organized very nicely… with main topics such as, the basics, the analysis of arguments, and fallacies and non-rational persuasion.  Under these main topics are more specific sections such as parts of an argument and basic relations; which are then broken down further.  The causal argument tab (http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/itl/graphics/induc/causal.html) focuses on the ins and outs of causal arguments.  I like how this page goes into details with a specific example, the bicycle accident.  This page also has an associated page for exercises to help with understanding causal arguments.  Both of these links and pages provide invaluable information to a student in a Comm 41 course, or even any class that deals with critical thinking.  When studying for the final I will definitely be using this site to further my understanding of difficult concepts. 

Investigation!!!

This past week, our family fish tank broke.  There is a plastic piece that surrounds the glass at the top and cuts across the center at the top to support the glass pieces of lid.  The piece that goes across the middle snapped about a week ago, causing the glass lids to dip into the water.  We fixed the issue with the lid by placing a metal grate across the top.  However, this was just the superficial issue.  When my mother and I were looking at the fish tank yesterday, we realized the plastic did not snap due to its age or the weight of the glass covers.  By lifting the plastic piece up to its original place, we realized there was a gap of a half inch or so.  We then realized that the back piece of glass was bending outward!!! Yes, bending :/  !!! My mom ran to Petco to buy a new tank because of the safety issue.  During the transfer of the water and the fish, you could clearly hear the tank creaking.  After all the water was out of the broken tank, there was no more gap between the plastic support and the back of the tank.  So through our initial observation, we were misled to think that it was due to the age of the plastic or the weight of the glass tops.  However, after taking a closer look at the tank, we realized that the back glass was pushing out.   We then, after removing all the water, came to the conclusion that the snapped plastic was not causing the glass to push back but it was instead the other way around.  The glass’s outward force is what broke the plastic. 

Scorpio

The Moon's position in your solar ninth house urges you to expand your horizons today, dear Scorpio. Freedom is likely to be your catch phrase right now, although you're also especially interested in sharing the fun with someone special. Explore new fields of interest or things that excite and uplift your spirit, or you may need to battle a spell of restlessness.     (Cafeastrology.com)

I must admit, I looked through many horoscopes to find a favorite one.  This is probably what most people do.  Some of the predictions were depressing and some were very uplifting.  This one, for example, is very fitting to my life right now.  I am re-evaluating my relationship with my long-time boyfriend, and I am searching for freedom.  So freedom being my catch phrase is right on.  Also, it is very difficult, so I am still spending a lot of time with him, trying to share my new positive attitude and fun with “someone special.”  The prediction is also very true when it says I need to battle a spell of restlessness.  I have been very impatient lately and I need to work on my patience.  This prediction is falsifiable if I was perfectly content with my life and not soul searching, because if I were, there would be no need for “freedom” or needing to find things to “uplift” my spirits. 

Media's Power

What we see in the media has a great influence on our worldviews and our ways of thinking.  My experiences with the media have generally expanded my views because I am open to new ideas, and new perspectives.  For example, the recent uprisings of many suppressed peoples have taught me so much more about other countries and corrupt governments around the world.  I would not have been exposed to this material, outside of a classroom, had it not been for the media buzz surrounding the issues.  My grandfather, a very right-winged republican, only listens and watches FOX News.  The rest of the family knows that this is a biased channel and find him crazy; yet he doesn’t see anything wrong with only listening to and believing one source.  This is why it is important to switch between channels, media sources, and determine who is publishing or sponsoring these outlets so that we are not simply watching programs that contribute to “confirmation bias and narrow-mindedness” (Boss, pg. 358).