Touro Communication Club Notes #51

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THIS WEEK: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 – 2 pm – Room 314

The 6^th Speech Contest

Finalists from the Communication classes will gather to present their information speeches to their colleagues and a team of judges. The top three will receive cash prizes of $100 (First Prize), $50 (Second Prize) and $25 (Third Prize). The topics always are fascinating in their variety. Refreshments will be served during the nail biting stage when the judges’ ballots are talleyed. These students are demonstrating the power of public speaking to influence an audience. Come and cheer them on!

The daily juggling continues of whatever happens in the world. We juggle money, family, finances, housing, school, courses all the while there are wildfires in California, financial chaos increases, unemployment increases (6.5%), and the Group of 20 nations meet with President Bush to continue their charade of international cooperation, among many other events.

Meanwhile, President-Elect Barack Obama’s much heralded and anticipated tenure in the world’s toughest job moves forward in the remaining time before January 20^th. Senator Hillary Clinton’s name was leaked to become Secretary of State. All job applicants have to fill out a 63-page application, describing possibly uncomfortable details of their private lives. Apparently, there was no question about drug use. Disconcerting news that threats against Senator Obama have spiked have been keeping the Secret Service busy. Even the issue of “Saggy pants” and Obama’s model-thin frame have captured the gossip columnists.

The next few weeks should bring a clearer picture of the profile of Obama’s Cabinet. Word is that he is operating on the theme of Doris Kearns Goodwin’s history of President Lincoln’s Cabinet where he consciously included many of his political enemies. The prevailing aphorism is “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”

The national Communication fun has begun.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 – 2 pm – Room 314-318 @ 27 West 23^rd Street – The 6^th Speech Contest. Finalists from the Communication classes will present their winning speeches, competing for cash prizes and recognition by their peers. Faculty judges will make the final decisions.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008 - Let’s take the day off so we can get ready for Thanksgiving.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008 – Room 222 -@ 27 West 23^rd Street – To be announced.

What happened during the discussion of “Political Speech and the Art of Deception” on Wednesday, November 12, 2008?

The crowd was the largest th e Club has had in its history with many newcomers

The “old-timers” included Olushile Akintade, George Backinoff, Drani Gabu, James Millner, Lorinda Moore, Steve Gradman, Marcus Vyandorf, Hal Wicke, Carlisle Yearwood.

Returnees included Brian Brown and Geovanny Leon.

Newcomers included Egypt Albin, Darryl Bowers, Omar Dunnen , Lionel Cohen Jon Goodman and Denise Santos.

Hal passed out a 4-page outline of many of the factors that deception can occur in political speech – or in any written and oral communication. You are more likely to catch a deception in written work than in an oral exchange because the reader has time to go over the material. When we speak, we have only one shot at it. If we don’t understand, or misinterpret or reject the speaker and/or the message, emotions rapidly escalated.

But, no sooner than the definitions of the three kinds of oral communication came off the page, the discussion started revving up.

Since no one ever takes notes at these events except Hal – and it’s hard to take notes and juggle the dis cussion – the details unfortunately blur in memory. Suffice it to say that once again it was interesting, nay, exciting. There was only one touchy moment where it appeared that the ad hominum fallacy emerged. (I have to be pedantic sometime!).

When emotions rise, reason and rationality go out the window. Fortunately, Hal played the lion tamer and was able to lower the emotional temperature. In vain, Hal tried to identify a number of deceptive linguistic tricks (from the list) that were used during the discussion.

Everyone said something, even if it was an observation at the end of the discussion. The two DMX students became quite comfortable in the free exchan ge of ideas about the election.

Using Lorinda’s question – everyone comments on the session and what they learned – emphasized the important of continuing these open ended discussion which give both faculty and students a unique chance to meet as equals to exchange their views on a Communication topic of interest. It is important that five faculty were present as co-equals with the students.

Denise said she would like to have this kind of discussion take place at Taino. Interest was expressed in the theatre. These ideas have been heard. The question now is how to schedule them.

The biggest lesson of today’s session wasn’t even mentioned. This was the first time in a year that the Club met in a classroom at Midtown, rather than across the street at 50 West. The attendance only proves the old real estate adage: “There are three important factors in real estate: Location, Location, Location.”

These sessions are always open for everyone to attend. Bring a friend and join in the excitement. See you next time.

Hal Wicke