SPCH 2 Journal Assignments

Directions: The purpose of the journal assignment is to help students identify their own implicit theories of communication. Journals should be typed, a minimum of ½ a page and maximum of two pages per journal (ie, answer all questions below in no more than 2 pages). Please note that there are no right or wrong answers to these questions per se – please provide your honest response.

Reminder: No emailed or electronic copies of your assignments are accepted. Please bring a printed copy to class.

Journal 1 - Due Thur 2/26

1. As you begin this class what is your understanding of “communication”?
2. Have you given a speech in public before (class speeches count)? When? What was your topic? How did it go?
3. What is your preferred channel of communication (e.g., face-to-face, email, text, written letter)? Why?
4. What is your goal in taking this class?

Journal 2 - Due Thur 3/5

1. What happens when you type your name into Google.com? Did you know what would show up on page 1? If someone only knows your name what perception may he or she have of you based on the first page of results?
2. In what ways do you control your online identity? Do you censor what you post online to control other’s perception of you? Have you noticed any of your friends doing the same?
3. Chapter 1 Review: In what ways is the context different when you communicate at home versus at school? With your family versus your friends? At work or at school?
4. Chapter 2 Review: Would you categorize yourself as a high or low self-monitor? High self-monitors are always aware of how they are being perceived by others and are careful about what they say. Low self-monitors are more blunt and usually don't worry about other people's perceptions.  Do you find that you switch between low or high self-monitoring depending on the context? If so, why do you think so?

Journal 3 - Due Tues 3/10 - Social Media Self

1.  Please turn in a 1 page basic outline of your social media self presentation.  Your outline should include your main points you will cover in your presentation.

Journal 4 - Due Thur 3/19

1. How did your social media self presentation go? Was it better or worse than you expected?
2. Were you surprised by any of your classmates’ presentations? Was any of the information they shared online something you would have kept secret? Did your perception of anyone change based on their presentation?
3. Chapter 9 Review: Which of the characteristics of healthy groups do you think is most important? Why?
4. Chapter 10 Review: Under Task Roles, Maintenance Roles, and Procedural Roles - which do you think you fit in best? What role do you often fulfill in groups?

Journal 5 - Due Thur 3/26

1. Informative Topic: What student success strategy do you think would be good to cover? Please provide at least one citation to a research article on your topic. Please justify your choice.
2. Persuasive Topic: What school would you like to advocate the class transfer to after Mt. SAC? It should be a four-year university.  Please justify your choice.
3. Speech Anxiety: Out of the strategies listed in chapter 14 (overcoming speech apprehension) which do you think may work the best for you? Why?  Please make sure to first explain the strategy and then justify it.
4. Chapter 11 Review (intro to public speaking chapter): Which of the five action steps for public speaking do you think is most difficult? Why? 

Journal 6 - Due Thur Apr 23

1. How did your informative speech go?
2. Chapter 15 (Delivery) Review: Using the Speech Critique checklist in figure 15.5 (p.233) please evaluate this informative speech. Please use at least 3 of the criteria to identify what the speaker did well or could improve.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFXopZMFIt8 

   (Informative Speech - Caffeine)

3. Chapter 16 (Informative) Review: You textbook discusses the goal of making your speech "memorable." In what ways do you think your group informative was memorable? Could it have been more memorable? 
4. Chapter 17 (persuasive) Review:Out of the three types of persuasive appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) - which do you think is most important? Why?

Journal 7 - Due Thur Apr 30

 Impromptu Assignment

Imagine you are applying for the following job on campus:

• Library Page

  Part-Time - Mt. SAC 

  A part-time Library Page is needed to shelve books and materials, empty book drops, process returned items, perform shelf reading, identify damaged materials, locate requested items, and other duties. $15/hour. 19 hours/week.

Please prepare a 1 page typed summary of your 1) skills, 2) experience, and 3) education that could help you interview for the position.  You can use bullet points.  You'll be able to have this paper in front of you for the interviews in-class.

Journal 8 - Due Thur May 21

Based on the description of passive, assertive, and aggressive communication - please provide an example of each a response for the following situations:

1. Using passive communication: Your best friend asks for a ride to the airport but you are busy that day. 

2. Using assertive communication: Your child wants to go to Disneyland but you can't afford it.

3. Using aggressive communication: Your relationship partner wants to go to the same restaurant but you want to go to a different one.

Please write out what you would actually say and explain why your response is passive, assertive, or aggressive.  Be ready to share in class!

Journal 9 - Due Thur May 28

1. Which country did you pick for your intercultural paper? Why?

2. Chapter 3 Review: Do you consider yourself more individualistic or collectivistic? Why?

3. Chapter 3 Review: Do you identify more with long-term or short-term culture? Why?

Journal 10 - Due Thur June 4

1. What suggestions would you have for a student enrolled in this SPCH 2 class next semester to get the best grade possible?

2. Did you accomplish your goal in the class identified in your first journal? Why or why not?

3. If you had to give one piece of advice for a student for an upcoming public speech, what would it be? Why?