Ethics and Propaganda

One of the biggest debates surrounding the legal and ethical issues of freedom of speech regards Kansas preacher, Fred Phelps.  Documentary filmmaker, Michael Moore is an outspoken proponent of free speech -- in the following clip, he approaches Phelps' group.  However, some would argue that Moore's actions are sometimes over the line of ethical speech -- he sometimes takes speaker's comments out of context in order to prove his point. 

What do you think?  How far should our legal system go to protect our rights as speakers?  Should the government intervene against Phelps?  What about Moore? REMEMBER -- THIS IS A COMMUNICATION COUSE!!  KEEP YOUR COMMENTS RELEVANT TO OUR COURSE MATERIALS IF YOU WANT TO RECEIVE FULL CREDIT!!!

Watch this video and tell us what you think by posting a comment on this blog post (click "Comments" under the title of the post).  It's worth 5 points:

Monday classes -- due October 4th before class

Tuseday/Thursday -- due October 5th before class

Wednesday class -- due October 6th before class

The History of Free Speech

Below is a slide show on freedom of speech cases throughout history.  This post is optional and no points will be awarded.  However, you can use this information on the midterm if you so choose -- you will have the option of several essay questions, and one of them deals with freedom of speech throughout history.

NSA Code of Ethics

Today's class focused on the ethical responsibility we have as public speakers.  Ethics is not a black and white issue, though, so lots of organizations set rules for what constitutes ethical activity.  Click here to see the Code of Ethics used by the National Speakers Association.

This is an optional enrichment -- no points awarded.

Speech Week!

No blog assignments this week -- after you've given your speech in class, take the rest of the week to relax!

Remember, your self-critiques are due within one week of delivering your speech.

Is Wikipedia Really So Bad?

Wikipedia definitely gets a bad rap.  Even the popular media has spent some time and energy making fun of the user interactive website.  Still, semester after semester, I have students tell me how much they love it -- even my thesis advisor told me the other day how useful she finds the website for certain things.  Sooooo, I'm not going to tell you what I think of Wikipedia.  I want you to tell ME what YOU think of Wikipedia.

Post your comments on using Wikipedia as a research tool.  What is its place in the research process?  Does it even have a place at all?  Why does it get such a bad rap?  Do you use wikipedia?  Comments are due by class time next week.  I'll give a well-developed comment 5 points.  If you include at least one strong piece of evidence (by strong, I mean you should include a link or some other source citation), I'll give you 10 points.

The Dark Side of Audience Analysis

Audience analysis goes hand in hand with an advertising strategy called "target marketing."  As public speakers, we analyze our audience to increase our credibility. . . but what are the ethical issues?

Watch this video and post your thoughts (by clicking "comments" right below the title of this post) on the ethical issues of target marketting for 10 quiz points (due by class time next week).  Again, I expect well thought out analysis and good grammar/spelling.

(PS -- this is actually just a trailer, but you can watch the whole documentary here.)

Crowder Afternoon Class Reminder

Crowder College Students Only:

Remember -- the afternoon class will continue to begin at 2:30 rather than 2:15 for the next few weeks.  Email me with any questions you have!

Internet Detective

Because our classrooms are not equipped as computer labs, I'm sending you home to complete a tutorial on responsible use of internet research. The tutorial claims it will take about an hour. It took me less time than this, but you should reserve a good amount of time for going through this website. I'll be including info from the website on the mid-term, so I recommend that you don't just blow this off. . . Click here to begin the Internet Detective Tutorial. (You'll need to scroll down and click "Next" on the first page to begin the lesson.)

Gardner's Multiple Intelligences

Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences is a staple for educators and speakers across the country.  We covered four of the learning styles in the Speaking to Inform PowerPoint.  This theory used to have seven intelliegences, but currently has eight intelligences (or learning styles), and it is constantly expanding as Gardner's research progresses.

You can take the test to determine your learning style here, and read more about it here.  Print the test, fill it out, and bring it in by class time next week for 5 quiz points.

Informative Topics

In just two weeks, you'll present your first informative speech.  How exciting!!  Let's start thinking topics -- remember, you need to choose a FAMOUS PERSON as the topic for your speech.

HANDS DOWN -- THE MOST COMMON REASON STUDENTS DON'T FINISH THEIR SPEECHES IS THAT THEY NEVER PICK A TOPIC!!!  This is an assignment -- you don't have to change the world -- pick a person and go with it.

You have until class time next week to list three possible informative topics (famous people).  Before you enter them into the FORM BELOW, CHECK HERE to make sure you aren't duplicating other students' topics.