Interpersonal Communication COM 101-21

Hello Communicators!
(Philosophers, scroll down!)

Welcome to our Interpersonal Communication class! It's going to be a great semester.

Did you know that 55% of communication is visual (body language, eye contact)



and 38% is vocal (pitch, speed, volume, tone of voice)?



That means only 7% involves your actual words.



Words are, of course, VERY important....and, sometimes, the words we put together in certain situations can cause others to become very uncomfortable.....



The explosion of new technologies are having a profound influence on interpersonal communication. Some electronically mediated encounters are less satisfying than others.....



In the workplace, your communications skills can take you to the top--or right to the bottom--of the corporate ladder....



In intimate relationships, sometimes the secret is to keep things simple...



There are all sorts of dark forces at work behind communication between men and women; stereotypes, misinformation, and centuries of bad jokes....



Interpersonal communication exists across the zoological spectrum.



And I do mean, the ENTIRE zoological spectrum...



There....have I communicated to you how much we are going to enjoy this class?

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN! Some time prior to our first class, if possible, please respond on this blog to at least two of the questions below. I am interested in your thoughts and reflections--don't worry about a "right answer". This will help us get to know each other and to start COMMUNICATING!


1) What is effective communication?

2) Why do the same words mean different things to different people?

3) Respond, with your own reflections, to this quote by Martin Buber:

Imagine yourself in a situation where you are alone, wholly alone on earth, and you are offered one of the two: books or people. I often hear [speakers] prizing their solitude, but that is only because there are still [people] somewhere on earth, even though in the far distance. I knew nothing of books when I came forth from the womb of my mother, and I shall die without books, with another human hand in my own. I do, indeed, close my door at times and surrender myself to a book, but only because I can open the door again and see a human being looking at me.
–Martin Buber

4) What are some of the barriers to effective interpersonal communication?

Welcome Philosophers!

Welcome to Introduction to Western Philosophy, CMCC Fall Semester 2008!



I assure you, the study of philosophy will enrich your life whatever your future career plans may be:

Don't be fooled by the rumors you may have heard that philosophy is boring or exceedingly difficult to understand:



As a matter of fact, the entire history of Western Philosophy can be recited in just over five minutes. Perhaps by the end of the semester you will be able do so in UNDER five minutes...



But, why would we want to rush through a subject so exciting and fun?



I propose, instead, that we spend an entire semester discussing the meaning of life and perhaps even how one may achieve happiness:




Now, it's YOUR turn! Class members, please introduce yourselves by commenting here on some (at least two) of the following questions:

What do people get out of studying philosophy?
What abilities might you derive from studying philosophy?
What are some questions philosophers might try to answer?
What is a PERSON?
What distinguishes people from objects such as chairs and trees?
What does it mean to have a "mind"?
Are people different from other living creatures in terms of the "mind"?
If so, how?
What do you believe you do to make your life meaningful and significant?
What are the top three "big questions" you try to answer in your own life?

Try to post some comments here prior to the first class!
See you on Thursday night!

Noah did it!

Yesterday, my son Noah Watson and his best friend since first grade, Simon Petersen, completed their ride across the USA from Seattle to DC!