Saturday, April 30, 2011

The April 12 meeting was canceled because of a “safety incident” at Midtown which brought a dozen fire engines, ambulances and Haz-Mat trucks. All in the rain. No one was hurt – just a terrible odor. We will try again after spring vacation on Tuesday, May 3.
Contents::
1. This week’s conversation: Abbott and Costello
2. Eight Quotations about Comedy
3. The next conversation - after vacation: “Debate – What is it? Plus a few skills”
4. Last week’s conversation: The results of the 11th Speech Contest

This Coming Week: (Attempt #2)

1. The Touro Communication Club
Tuesday, May 3, 2011- 2:30 pm – Room 223
Midtown
Critical Listening Institute III: Comedy
Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s on First?”
For those who don’t know this famous comic routine, you are in for a treat!
“Who’s on First?” is a part of the rich American popular culture. First performed in the 1944 film “The Naughty Nineties,” the routine became the signature act of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. Products of burlesque and vaudeville in 1930s and 1940s, the comedy team were successful in radio and over 30 movies. The routine is part of the permanent exhibit at Baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.
This is the third in the Critical Listening series. Martin Luther King’s “I have a Dream Speech” was the focus first session.

2. Eight Quotations about Comedy
“Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich,
a tragedy for the poor.”
Sholom Aleichem, pen name for Solomon Rabinovich (1859-1916), a leading Yiddih author and playwright.
“God writes a lot of comedy. The problem is, he’s stuck with so many bad actors who don’t know how to play funny.”
Garrison Keillor, American writer and broadcaster
“The duty of comedy is to correct men by amusing them.”
Moliere (1622-1673), French actor and playwright
“In tragedy every moment is eternity; in comedy, eternity is a moment”
Christopher Fry (1907-2005), English writer and playwright
“Life is a tragedy when seen close-up, but a comedy in long shot.”
Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977), English silent film actor and film director
“We participate in tragedy; at a comedy we only look.”
Aldous Huxley (1894-1963), English writer, best known for his novel, Brave New World
“Comedy is tragedy plus time.”
Carol Burnett, American actress, comedian, singer, dancer and writer
“Life is a comedy for those who think…and a tragedy for those who feel.”
Horace Walpole (1717-1797), English art historian and man of letters

The Next Conversation
3. The Touro Communication Club
Tuesday, May 10, 2011- 2:30 pm – Room 223
Midtown
Debate – What is it?
Plus a few useful skills
As an example of what is expected in debate, Michael Zacharias, Junior in Political Science and a Finalist in the Speech Contest, will demonstrate a 3-part legal brief. He will portray the Judge, the Prosecutor and the Defense in a property damage suit. You will be the jury
At the recent Speech Contest, the idea of having a debate team was mentioned. If you are interesting in finding out more, come and have some fun.
If you like to argue, this session is for you! Learn how to argue effectively and not just shout over the other person.
Academic debate has been called “intellectual combat.” Compared to what is called “debate” in the political arena, academic debate is exacting and challenging. In politics, you can shoot your mouth off without evidence. In academic debate, you will regret that.
Academic debate teaches every academic skill you need plus the excitement of thinking on your feet in the moment. The old debate adage is that “A debate is won in the library.” That means you’d better do your homework or you’ll be shot out of the water.
We’ll experiment with instant SPAR debate we often use in our classes and then switch sides.
Work out at the Brain Gym with Debate!

Last Week’s Conversation
4. Touro Communication Club
This Week’s Conversation:
The 11th Speech Contest
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
2:30-4:30 pm – Room 314 – Midtown
The Speech Contest is Touro’s longest running student event, now in its 11th semester since Spring 2007. Finalists are chosen from three Communication classes to represent their classmates. The quality of the performances is consistently rather impressive. Cash prizes ($100, $75, $50) await the top three winners chosen by a panel of judges who are made up of Touro staff. Refreshments are available during the wait for the judges’ decision.
The judges for this contest are Mr. Richard Jong (Advisement), Ms.Sharon Little (Compliance), Mr. Robert Babsky (Operations)
Discover The Future Leaders of America Here!
11th Speech Contest – Spring, 2011
April 5, 2011
Name
Title of Speech
Instructor
Course/Site
Rank
1 Dena (Tira) Bluestone
“Learning the ABC’s of Yoga”
Prof. Backinoff
GCA 101/ Midtown/SGS
First Prize
2. Jediaiah Cohen
“Facebook”
Prof. Backinoff
GCA 100/
Taino/SGS
Second Prize
3. Simon Bae
“The New Culture”
Prof. Backinoff
GCA 101/ Midtown/SGS
Third Prize
4. Elana Davrayev
“The Jewish Law of Married Couples Abstaining from Physical Intimacy during the Menstrual Cycle”
Prof. Bardwell
GCA 101/Dov Revell/SCAS
Honorable Mention
5. Hope Dublin
“Malrotation and Volvulus”
Prof. Backinoff
GCA 100 Taino/SGS
Finalist
6. Jeffrey Ebin
“The Peg System”
Prof. Cleveland
GCA 100/ Midtown/SGS
Finalist
7. Anzhelika Leviyeva
“Texting While Driving”
Prof. Bardwell
GCA 101/Dov Revell/SCAS
Finalist
8. Diana Starayeva
“Job Interviewing”
Prof Bardwell
GCA 101/Dov Revell/SCAS
Finalist
9. Luxi Wang
“Breakfast is the Most Important Meal of the Day”
Prof. Gaffigan
GCA 100/ Flushing/SGS
Finalist
10.Michael Zacharias
How Does the U.S. Debt Affect You?”
Prof. Wicke
GCA 215/ Midtown/SGS
Finalist
Judges: Mr. Richard Jong (Admissions), Mr. Robert Babsky (IT), Prof. Carlisle Yearwood (English)

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Contents::
1. This week’s conversation: Abbott and Costello
2. Eight Quotations about Comedy
3. The next conversation - after vacation: “Debate – What is it? Plus a few skills”
4. Last week’s conversation: The results of the 11th Speech Contest
This Coming Week:
1. The Touro Communication Club
Tuesday, April 12, 2011- 2:30 pm – Room 223
Midtown
Critical Listening Institute III: Comedy
Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s on First?”
For those who don’t know this famous comic routine, you are in for a treat!
“Who’s on First?” is a part of the rich American popular culture. First performed in the 1944 film “The Naughty Nineties,” the routine became the signature act of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. Products of burlesque and vaudeville in 1930s and 1940s, the comedy team were successful in radio and over 30 movies. The routine is part of the permanent exhibit at Baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.
This is the third in the Critical Listening series. Martin Luther King’s “I have a Dream Speech” was the focus first session.
2. Eight Quotations about Comedy
“Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich,
a tragedy for the poor.”
Sholom Aleichem, pen name for Solomon Rabinovich (1859-1916), a leading Yiddih author and playwright.
“God writes a lot of comedy. The problem is, he’s stuck with so many bad actors who don’t know how to play funny.”
Garrison Keillor, American writer and broadcaster
“The duty of comedy is to correct men by amusing them.”
Moliere (1622-1673), French actor and playwright
“In tragedy every moment is eternity; in comedy, eternity is a moment”
Christopher Fry (1907-2005), English writer and playwright
“Life is a tragedy when seen close-up, but a comedy in long shot.”
Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977), English silent film actor and film director
“We participate in tragedy; at a comedy we only look.”
Aldous Huxley (1894-1963), English writer, best known for his novel, Brave New World
“Comedy is tragedy plus time.”
Carol Burnett, American actress, comedian, singer, dancer and writer
“Life is a comedy for those who think…and a tragedy for those who feel.”
Horace Walpole (1717-1797), English art historian and man of letters
The Next Conversation – after vacation
3. The Touro Communication Club
Tuesday, May 3, 2011- 2:30 pm – Room 223
Midtown
Debate – What is it?
Plus a few useful skills
At the recent Speech Contest, the idea of having a debate team was mentioned. If you are interesting in finding out more, come and have some fun.
If you like to argue, this session is for you! Learn how to argue effectively and not just shout over the other person.
Academic debate has been called “intellectual combat.” Compared to what is called “debate” in the political arena, academic debate is exacting and challenging. In politics, you can shoot your mouth off without evidence. In academic debate, you will regret that.
Academic debate teaches every academic skill you need plus the excitement of thinking on your feet in the moment. The old debate adage is that “A debate is won in the library.” That means you’d better do your homework or you’ll be shot out of the water.
We’ll start with instant SPAR debate we often use in our classes and then switch sides.
Work out at the Brain Gym with Debate!
Last Week’s Conversation
4. Touro Communication Club
This Week’s Conversation:
The 11th Speech Contest
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
2:30-4:30 pm – Room 314 – Midtown
The Speech Contest is Touro’s longest running student event, now in its 11th semester since Spring 2007. Finalists are chosen from three Communication classes to represent their classmates. The quality of the performances is consistently rather impressive. Cash prizes ($100, $75, $50) await the top three winners chosen by a panel of judges who are made up of Touro staff. Refreshments are available during the wait for the judges’ decision.
The judges for this contest are Mr. Richard Jong (Advisement), Ms.Sharon Little (Compliance), Mr. Robert Babsky (Operations)
Discover The Future Leaders of America Here!
11th Speech Contest – Spring, 2011
April 5, 2011
Name
Title of Speech
Instructor
Course/Site
Rank
1 Dena (Tira) Bluestone
“Learning the ABC’s of Yoga”
Prof. Backinoff
GCA 101/ Midtown/SGS
First Prize
2. Jediaiah Cohen
“Facebook”
Prof. Backinoff
GCA 100/
Taino/SGS
Second Prize
3. Simon Bae
“The New Culture”
Prof. Backinoff
GCA 101/ Midtown/SGS
Third Prize
4. Elana Davrayev
“The Jewish Law of Married Couples Abstaining from Physical Intimacy during the Menstrual Cycle”
Prof. Bardwell
GCA 101/Dov Revell/SCAS
Honorable Mention
5. Hope Dublin
“Malrotation and Volvulus”
Prof. Backinoff
GCA 100 Taino/SGS
Finalist
6. Jeffrey Ebin
“The Peg System”
Prof. Cleveland
GCA 100/ Midtown/SGS
Finalist
7. Anzhelika Leviyeva
“Texting While Driving”
Prof. Bardwell
GCA 101/Dov Revell/SCAS
Finalist
8. Diana Starayeva
“Job Interviewing”
Prof Bardwell
GCA 101/Dov Revell/SCAS
Finalist
9. Luxi Wong
“Breakfast is the Most Important Meal of the Day”
Prof. Gaffigan
GCA 100/ Flushing/SGS
Finalist
10.Michael Zacharias
How Does the U.S. Debt Affect You?”
Prof. Wicke
GCA 215/ Midtown/SGS
Finalist
Judges: Mr. Richard Jong (Admissions), Mr. Robert Babsky (Operations), Prof. Carlisle Yearwood (English)



Hal Wicke

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Hal Wicke
This coming week:
Touro Communication Club
This Week’s Conversation:
The 11th Speech Contest
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
2:30-4:30 pm – Room 223 – Midtown
The Speech Contest is Touro’s longest running student event, now in its 11th semester since Spring 2007. Finalists are chosen from three Communication classes to represent their classmates. The quality of the performances is consistently rather impressive. Cash prizes ($100, $75, $50) await the top three winners chosen by a panel of judges who are made up of Touro staff. Refreshments are available during the wait for the judges’ decision.
The judges for this contest are Mr. Richard Jong (Advisement), Ms.Sharon Little (Compliance), Mr. Robert Babsky (Operations)
Discover The Future Leaders of America Here!
Next week’s conversation
The Touro Communication Club
Tuesday, April 12, 2011- 2:30 pm – Room 223
Midtown
Critical Listening Institute III: Comedy
Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s on First?”
For those who don’t know this famous comic routine, you are in for a treat!
“Who’s on First?” is a part of the rich American popular culture. First performed in the 1944 film “The Naughty Nineties,” the routine became the signature act of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. Products of burlesque and vaudeville in 1930s and 1940s, the comedy team were successful in radio and over 30 movies. The routine is part of the permanent exhibit at Baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.
This is the third in the Critical Listening series. Martin Luther King’s “I have a Dream Speech” was the focus first session w
Last Week’s conversation
Touro Communication Club
Last Week’s Conversation:
“Job Interview Preparation Workshop”
New Day - Tuesday, March 29, 2011
New Time 3 -4:30 pm – Room 223 – Midtown
Communication Professors George Backinoff and Gena Bardwell will share their extensive experience in polishing the interview skills of job applicants. What questions do you ask? What kinds of non-verbal behavior send the right message? Coping with nervousness? How do you sell yourself? These and many other topics will be covered in the workshop. The workshop is co-sponsored by the Office of Advisement and Counseling.
“It’s Not What You Say, It’s What People Hear That Counts!
This is one discussion you should not miss!
What happened at the Job Interview Seminar
Professors George Backinoff and Gena Bardwell led an exciting workshop with enthusiastic participation of Emmanuel Boy, Laura LaChica, Ismael Aidara, Bai, Xia, Gen Gelsonino, Vlad Konyshev, Dilyara Iafiasova, Anzhelika Leviyeva, Dena (Tira) Bluestone and familiar faces Robert Bohr, Lorinda Moore and Sophia Volfson.
The Touro Career Interview Preparation Workshop took place on Tuesday, March 29, 
2011, at 3:00pm.  The workshop was a successful collaboration between Career Services, the Communication Department and Advisement. 
 
 The facilitators included Adriana Jimenez of Career Services, Professor Gena Bardwell 
and Professor George Backinoff of the Communication Department. 
 Additionally, Sofia Volfson of Advisement contributed support. 
 
Eleven motivated students attended.  They responded with positive enthusiasm and 
seemed genuinely impressed by the information and instruction that was delivered.  The 
Workshop included the planning, preparation, content and delivery needed for an 
effective job interview which could lead to career employment. 
 
This is an excellent example of the Touro community working together to produce 
positive results.
- George Backinoff