COMM 403 Blog 1: What's In It for Me?

This post talks about the syllabus of Dr. Kevin Williams' Comm 403 Media Studies class. This class offers students a further understanding of our media. Chapter 1 of the syllabus explains the ropes of the course. It tells us what we need to do to succeed in class. One example of this would be not missing more than 5 days of class. The Syllabus tells what's needed for an A or a passing grade. It also tells you how to get in touch with the teacher if questions need to be answered or if anything should come up. I personally plan to use the syllabus to help me pass this course. Chapter 3 talks about Critical Thinking and New Technology. The article was done by Jason McKahan, one of the communications professors and composer of the critical thinking plan for the Communications Department. Critical thinking is mainly defined as “the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.” The Communications Department holds this concept with high regards. Learning about critical thinking is highly encouraged. I took a Critical Thinking class at Blue Ridge CTC and found it very useful. Chapter 4 deals with Vision, Mission, and Values. Everyone has different kinds of vision, missions, and values. The Communications Department has a vision of preparing students for employment at all levels of media. It's main mission is to help educate students for employment in media. Their values are to educate students, creating a professional college enviroment, be responsive to stake-holders, and enhance department's reputation. My vision is success and achieving it is my mission. My values are to take my work seriously. I believe taking my work seriously will eventually pay off. Chapter 5 talks about LEAP. There are four principles on LEAP. (1) Creative thinking is the capacity to combine or synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways and the experience of thinking, reacting, and working in an imaginative way characterized by a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking. (2) Critical thinking is a habit of mind characterized by the comprehensive exploration of issues, ideas, artifacts, and events. (3)Oral communication is a presentation designed to increase knowledge., to foster understanding, or to promote change in the listeners' attitudes, values, beliefs, or behaviors. (4) Written communication is the development and expression of ideas in writing. I believe LEAP is a way of increasing our knowledge for the real world.