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One of us could be the next

The author says, “you need to ponder, probe, speculate, and follow your hunches” (485). I agree with this, because I think many things go under the radar. I tend to notice connections and have hunches about certain things, but then I get distracted and unfocused. The beauty of this field of study is that we have an opportunity to really get our hands dirty and be ethnographers just like anyone else. “Unlike many academic disciplines, the study of communication is one in which we're all practitioners" (485). All of our experiences in and out of this class, have contributed to the overall breadth of my understanding of each theory we learned about. Applying these theories and concepts to my life and practicing them in appropriate settings, has reaffirmed my belief in them. I can definitely and honestly say that I have pondered, probed and speculated this semester. Griffin suggests that as communication scholars, we can and should, “Switch from casual observation to an intensive gaze” (485). When I first read that statement, I automatically thought, “I am not smart enough and do not have enough experience to do that.” But the truth is, I am just like any of these authors, and scholars in this book. They took an interest in a specific context of communication, chose a theoretical perspective from which to start, and began their research. Without their hunches we would not have the breadth of communication information that we do now. George Herbest Mead had followers and students like Herbert Blumer, who expanded and elaborated on his research; one of us (in this class) could be the next Herbert Blumer.

3 comments:

  1. You made an interesting comment in your blog post. You said, "All of our experiences in and out of this class, have contributed to the overall breadth of my understanding of each theory we learned about".

    I could not agree more. Communication Studies is much more different than other majors. For example, let's say someone is a Music Major. They are going to learn how to play their instrument but it is not something that everyone does everyday. Same thing with a Nursing major. Nurses will learn what they need to be successful in college and will go out and practice it. However, do we all practice nursing everyday the way we all communicate everyday? The answer is no. No matter where you live, what you do, what your major is, you will always communicate. That is one of the reasons why I find it so interesting - it is neat to study something that we always engage in.

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  2. Communication studies is more different than other majors. Most of the majors we learn in classes, we only use the knowledge in the professional ways that are related to the majors. For example, we can`t practice nursing skills everyday, everywhere with friends and family. After working, you are only a friend to your friends, or a family member to your family; you are not a nurse to them. But, we have to use the knowledge of communication studies all the time in our professional ways and our daily life whatever in work place, with friends and family. So, this is a reason why communication studies is more interesting than others; and it attaches to people all the time.

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  3. Anonymous6:00 PM

    I also enjoyed your post. I find it amazing how much communications grows and changes, mostly due to the technology our society has. In addition to what you have said, i feel that it can be applied to ther areas besides communications. Science is a great example. It takes hunches, pondering and research to create new scientific theory.

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