4 discussions and replies to fellow students

Discussion 1

"Using Words Well" Please respond to the following:

·         Review the section on using words ethically in Communication in the Real World, Chapter 3.3; then, identify a situation where you believe language could be used unethically in academic, professional, or personal contexts. Next, suggest three (3) ways your example relates to civility, polarizing language, swearing, or accountability.

Please also reply to the following student

Thurmesha Winston 

RE: Discussion 1

·                   5

It seems as though we are living in a time where it has become politically correct to throw low-blows and have unfair fights just to take the lead or stand out the most. In political races we see this all the time, politicians talk bad, make accusations on the other, and dig up any dirt they can find. Even if it is just the extended family members of the other. To me the more one political candidate throws dirt or low blows it makes them look bad. Not the face of America. Even professionals in the media have changed their ways of communication from professional to more laid back. I was once watching the news and one individual reported and said that the victim was "leaving his baby-momma house". So many viewers called into to the Viewers Voice and complained about how Shawn Rabb has reported the news unprofessionally, he is ghetto, and so much more. However the term "baby-momma" is more common than "mother of my children". Its the language of the culture that is changing. Working as a Juvenile Detention Officer I hear all types of synonyms. Some I used as a kid and others I need the meaning of and if they cant tell me what it means they can not use it. 

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Discussion 2

"Supreme Court Responsiveness to Public Opinion  "  Please respond to the following:

·         * From the e-Activity, compare and contrast the fundamental differences in the manner in which the general populace may interpret court decisions involving social policy. Provide a rationale for your response.

·         Take a position on whether or not you believe the Supreme Court is responsive to public opinion. Examine the extent to which public opinion should affect Supreme Court decisions. Support your response with at least three (3) examples of the perceived effects of public opinion on Supreme Court decisions.

Please also reply to the following student

Deitra Brown 

RE: Discussion 2

·                   5

After reading the activity, some on the panel view the court's role in making social policy as a good trade off because they can explore and identify the benefits of shaping it.  Others disagree because judicial activism fails to obey higher court precedents due to personal preferences.  Social policy is about the well-being of all us as a society. Social policy analyzes the decisions the courts and government make to look at who gets what and why to help us overcome the social impact of issues like gun control, marriage, alleviating poverty, improving people’s health and income.  I believe the Supreme Court is responsive to public opinion because when the public is interested in the cases controlled by the lower courts, they have a difficult time changing their policy. Public opinion should affect Supreme Court decisions because the judges should be sensitive to how the public view their role in court from their confidence, candor, and trust that activist, politicians, TV reporters, and newspaper outlets report. 

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Discussion 3

"Impact of Supreme Court Decisions"  Please respond to the following:

·         Summarize three (3) Supreme Court decisions that you believe have had the most impact on our society. Provide a rationale for your response.

·         Discuss the general role of the U.S. Court System in influencing society. Give your opinion on whether or not you believe that mass media influences court decisions. Provide a rationale for your response. 

Please also reply to the following student

JEQUEA Vaughn 

RE: Discussion 3

I think that three decisions that has impacted our society made by the Supreme Court is abortion laws, gay marriages, and the free will to vote. Allowing gay marriages made it possible that everyone no matter what their life  style could married who they wanted, giving them the same rights as a man or woman. The right to vote was the biggest of them all because it gave people voices who didn't have a voice to say how they felt about the things that were happening in the world. And the fact that they gave women the rights to make their own decisions on rather or not to keep a child was one that was powerful in many ways. Though many people did not agree with this concept it was still a choice of it's own. 

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 Final Discussion

"Reflection as Growth" Please respond to the following:

·         For this week’s discussion you will be reflecting on the various concepts and principles covered throughout this lesson. You will be required to write a two to three (2-3) paragraph reflection in which you:

o    Identify the two (2) most valuable lessons you learned about communication principles from this course. Provide at least two (2) examples to support your rationale.

o    Consider the two (2) most valuable business writing lessons you learned from this course. Provide at least two (2) examples to support your rationale. Next, explain the significance of these lessons on your professional, academic, personal, and civic goals.

o    Use correct sentence mechanics, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

o    Use correct APA formatting rules for body of paper.

Please also reply to the following student

Talon Baldwin 

RE: Final Discussion

During this course I learned several important of concepts of communication. Many of these concepts I had already been aware of, but had not fully understood or appreciated their impact in everyday life. While I have always felt that I was a good communicator, I had never considered that I was a poor listener. When we reviewed how important listening skills were to the communication process I became aware of a critical piece I had not considered before in the communication cycle. I learned that I had more than 1 bad listening habit which was surprising to me. Knowing that I have a habit of Pseudo Listening allows me to focus on something to improve.

I also became aware of the value of the how the communication we use affects our professional appearance. Its more than being able to communicate effectively, because the perception of others based on our communication leaves an impression on others that we are in contact with and may not go away. As the saying goes, you only get one chance to leave a first impression.

It is hard to point out the two most valuable lessons in business writing because the impact in business is so large. While I did know the importance of proof reading my communications before I sent them out, I was able to learn new techniques for proof reading. Reading what you wrote in reverse order is an interesting way to review it with a different perspective. I was also very interested in learning the conflict management styles. Conflict in the work place is inevitable and will occur to everyone at some point, but the management styles are also helpful in persuasive conversations as well. A healthy debate while making a presentation has many of the same circumstances. These management styles can actually help in your persuasive presentation to progress the conversation or learn a new perspective that you previously did not understand before.

All of these principles can and will help me in my present and future communications and in all future directions. In my business and professional directions that demonstrate my expertise and professionalism, like requesting a raise based on experience. In my communications to make sure I am coming across in a civil or appropriate manner, like begging for forgiveness to a police officer writing me a ticket. Additionally it will help in my personal life with my wife and daughter as I try to articulate my intentions and actions to them in the most comprehensive way possible.

It does occur to me that this class may have helped with my communication with my first wife, but then I dismiss the idea completely. The only thing that could have helped that marriage was explosives and I had none. Nothing says "we need to break up", like a lit stick of dynamite.

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