One concept I would say needed further discussion would be the difference between Euphemisms and Up-players. I don’t really understand if there is a difference. When I looked at the two different definitions, Euphemism sounded pretty vague; “A Euphemism is a word or phrase that makes something sound better than a neutral description.” When it says “something” that could be referring to a claim, a statement, or really any words put together. The exact definition of an up-player provided on the blog is, “An up-player exaggerates the significance of a claim.” I believe both of these definitions are too vague to distinguish between each other. I also think that if you were to qualify something as an up-player or euphemism it would all be subjective to you and your experiences. I researched these terms and I did not find anywhere where it said that these terms can be qualified by each individual and if there were to be a strict guideline that would cross the board would be not even possible because it is subject to the interpreters decision.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Question 2
2). What was your favorite thing about the class? What was your least favorite thing about the class? How can this class be improved? Again, be specific.
My favorite thing about the class I would say hands down was the group work. To finally interact and talk with someone about what we are learning, and different methods we were all using to complete our work was refreshing to say the least. Once again, this was my first online class and I definitely was not prepared for the sort of time that it required so when I had the chance to talk to my group members I saw how they were completing the discussions and other assignments and started to emulate them. For example, did you know that when you are posting to the Blogger, you can create a new post, and even if you forget about it till tomorrow or the next day, as long as it is still on your browser you can hit send and post it and it will post at the time that you originally hit “new post.”
In addition, one of things I did not like about the class was the way that it was set up online. I know we are the millennial generation and we are supposedly accustomed to learning from our little screen that links us to the “world”, but part of the reason I am getting my degree from San Jose State is to make connections, and engage in a classroom setting with my professor, and my peers. I know you’re thinking, well you should have not taken an online class then, well, you’re right, and this will probably be my last online class I take. Seeing how this is my first, I went into it with a little more optimism then I guess I should have.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved the professor and the content was refreshing; I just do not like how these courses are being offered in the first place. Just because something possible doesn’t mean it should be done, especially in the subject of Communications. In the Bay Area we have many different cultures, languages, and religions around us. I know that I can learn all about all of them from reading some statistic online, but it’s when we actually engage with those different cultures that we learn the most and gain the most perspective. If school begins to separate us from the world, and keeps us looking forward at the screen, then we will not know how to “Communicate” when we finally do have interaction. It would be interesting to see where online classes go in the future.
Question 1
1). What have you learned in this class over the course of the semester? Be specific.
First, I’d say I learned a lot about how to approach an online class. This was my first experience having to try and learn without having a scheduled time and place for a learning environment.
In addition, as far as subject matter, I find myself constantly analyzing arguments now. Even if the argument has nothing to do with me or my circumstances I still am intrigued and listen in on the different stances attempting to apply the different concepts we have learned over the course of the semester. I found that on almost every occasion where a discussion elevates into a heated argument, there is a least one fallacy in play. Most recently, while I was on my way to the Library, I overheard a couple arguing at each other about whether or not the boyfriend thought that one of the girlfriend’s friends was hot. After a few comments on either side I overheard the girlfriend loudly projecting her voice and stating: “Just tell me, I want to see if you pick up the things (appealing features) that she’s trying to show off.” The comment stuck with me as one that has probably been used by many women who think that they know what every man is thinking about them. I thought to myself about the argument, and where the premise and conclusion were. I realized that it was a clear appeal to vanity, or apple polishing.