Likes/Dislikes

My favorite thing about this class was the format of it. I felt that the blogs were a really effective way of practicing our communication skills and reiterating what we had learned. It was fun reading everyone’s different takes on the discussion questions every week. The flexibility of the class was also helpful. I liked that we had the whole week to participate and that we could do it when we had time. I did find the time restrictions a bit difficult, but I also understand that it was done to stimulate a real classroom environment of showing up to class actively. I honestly do not have a least favorite thing about this class because I thoroughly enjoy the format and assignments in this course. As a full-time student, this course offers a lot of flexibility and convenience. The questions, readings, and assignments always reinforced what we have been learning. I think something that might be helpful in improving the class is establishing some sort of forum or discussion area either on the blogs or on D2L where students can talk amongst one another. Most students just post to their blogs and comment on it, but there’s no general discussion area. A discussion forum would be useful in asking questions that can be seen by all.

Further Discussion

One concept from this course that I feel could use further discussion would be the section on the symbolic nature of language. The basis of our communication is based heavily on words, although nonverbal communication also speaks volume. Because the nature of language can mean a variety of things to people, it is abstract, ambiguous, and arbitrary.  It is constantly changing with the times and can take on new meanings. The choice and pattern of wording can affect conversations. Communicators come from all different backgrounds and cultures, so it adds to the ever-changing landscape. I think an incorporated discussion on the symbolic nature of language and cultures would be useful. In an increasingly global economy, our communication has become vastly diverse. It would be both useful and respectful to learn how language is different in every culture. Some words may be offensive in other languages that we would not even know about, so it is important to learn about them.

Learning over the Semester

This class was a lot of fun and I learned tons of new information. I thought it was a well-rounded class that focused on the different areas of communication. It not only focused on us as individuals, but also our relationships with others. The development of friendship was something completely new that I learned about. One never really things about the stages of their friendships, most of the time we just end up being friends or not. To really analyze how certain communication patterns led us to where we are was fascinating. I thought the other important aspects I learned this semester dealt with our relationship with ourselves. Learning to own our feelings or monitor our self-talk were important aspects to keep in mind. In order to be better communicators with others, we must first be in tune with ourselves and what we need. I particularly like the appeals to our emotional and intellectual needs through communicating with others.

Definition of Family

I define family as a group of people who share a strong bond and support for one another no matter what issues and problems may arise. They provide financial and emotional support for one another and take care of each other in times of need. Family members look after one another in different ways. Parents care for the overall well-being of their child making sure they get the education they need and are healthy. Parents guide their children with life skills that they can use later in life. Siblings look out for one another at school and in other areas that parents might not have access to. They provide emotional support more akin to friendships and mutual understanding through age than a parent would. I think most of the relationships discussed in this chapter fit pretty well with my definition of family. They stress concepts like mutual understanding, respect, cohabitation, and commitment. These are ideals that are important to a healthy family relationship.

Marriage in 50 Years

I think that although marriage has changed over time, there are still some norms that aren’t quite there yet. For example, women were usually homemakers before, tending to the children and household. As the cost of living and times have changed, women now have to both work and tend to the household. In some relationships, the husband does stay at home and care for the children while the woman has a career of her own. I think in the next 50 years, this idea will be more accepted. I think that the norm will perceive either sexes being a homemaker as more acceptable, instead of a preference for one over the other. I think the dynamics involving children will also change to reflect the changes in marriage. Children will probably still prefer certain conversations with one parent over the other, but I think that in general, both parents will be just as likely to talk to their children in any subject area.

Concept from Chapter 12

The concept I chose for this week is Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff. Just like how this concept can relate to healthy friendships, it can also be applied in family relationships. I thought this was a great concept to keep in mind because there are seldom times in our lives where we are able to control every little detail. This dynamic is certainly changed when we are in a large unit like a family. We must be able to see past little frustrations, quirks, habits, etc. that may be annoying to us and look at the bigger picture. Changing family members, like friends or partners, don’t really work. Rather, there should be a mutual understanding that those are habits that won’t likely change. They are our family and we want them in our lives and so that means overlooking minor things we are irritated by. It is also reasonable to think that although family members may do things that frustrate us, there are probably things that we do that frustrate them as well.

Deception

I think that people should be able to naturally be themselves, so I do think it is unethical for people to represent themselves inaccurately. I believe that whether in person or face-to-face, both scenarios hold the same likelihood of deception. Ultimately the decision to lie about who we truly are rests with the individual and not the situation. There are probably different kinds of deception that can happen differently in an online versus a face-to-face situation. For example, in an online scenario, one could exaggerate their physical appearances to seem more attractive to someone. In a face-to-face situation, the other person will be able to see you for who you are physically. As far as introducing yourself and talking about your career, likes, dislikes, etc., both situations can be deceiving. It is only when we get to know someone better will we know what they have been lying to us about. It seems to me that online interactions are easier to manipulate physical appearances than face-to-face, but in both, the truth about who we are besides that is just as easily deceptive.