TouroCommunicationClub.blogspot.com – Meeting #139

Contents:

1. This week’s conversation - “Conspiracy Theory & Critical Thinking”

2. The next conversation – until Fall, 2011 “Your Summer Communication Lesson Plan”

3. Last week’s conversation - postponed until Fall, 2011

This Coming Week – Final program for this semester

1. The Touro Communication Club #139

Tuesday, May 24, 2011- 2:30 p- 4:00 pm – Room 223

Midtown

“Conspiracy Thinking vs. Critical Thinking”

The assassination of Osama Bin Laden on Sunday, May 1, 2011, has produced the inevitable outbreak of people who don’t believe that bin Laden still lives. In recent years it has always become a predictable “fact” that some people will deny any facts that are presented in support of an action or a position.

To be simplistic, for a change, let us group these kinds of people as “Conspiracy Theorists.” The basic pattern of this thinking is to deny any set of facts as untrue. Examples abound: .

· “The end of the earth will arrive on Saturday, May 21, 2011” is only the most recent, or

· President Obama’s birth certificate has been a favorite or

· Global Warming (or climate change as it is now called for the politically correct), or

· Was Lee Harvey Oswald President Kennedy’s killer? or

· Unidentified Flying Objects, or

· and, most dangerously, the Holocaust.

Other everyday circumstances of the denial of factual evidence show up when

· Someone calls you a liar, (Congressman Joe Wilson to President Obama) or

· Someone continues to lie despite the evidence (a current court case), or

· A student shouts at a teacher, “You’re wrong!” among others.

We will attempt to identify these and other issues which are conducive to “Conspiracy Thinking” and examine how “Critical Thinking’ can aid in understanding what and why this occurs. Perhaps a bit of Freud might help, too.

Join us in Thinking Outside the Box!

(Or Just Thinking!)

The Next Conversation – Until Fall, 2011

2. Your Summer Communication Lesson Plan

During the summer, you are on your own to develop your repertoire of communication skills. It’s a 24/7 job – if you want to sharpen your mind. “A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste, according to the iconic slogan of the United Negro College Fund.

Keep in mind “You cannot not communicate.” Some messages are obvious. Many are not.

There is much to “look” for with your eyes, ears and the pit of your stomach (that’s Ernest Hemingway’s ‘Crap Detector.”) Watch and listen to the language people use. Watch and listen to their gestures and body language.

Then connect the dots. What does this individual data mean? What does it mean in context? Ask yourself, “Is that the only intended meaning? Or are there other possibilities?” This is not being paranoid. This is analysis.

That was the easy part. Now do the same for what comes out YOUR mouth. Words. Gestures. Body Language. Your dress. This is more difficult because you have to be pro-active, not passive. Think before you speak. Pause a fraction of a second before reacting.

Your Communication Tool Box begins with awareness – inside and outside. As you gather data, look for patterns. Verify the patterns. Once you’ve observed the general outlines, then begin to look for nuances.

Then give your mind a rest. Until the next time.

Last Week’s Conversation – postponed until Fall, 2011

. The Touro Communication Club #138

Tuesday, May 17, 2011- 2:30 p- 4:00 pm – Room 223

Midtown

Student Showcase I – Ms. Lorinda Moore

Anyone who has been around the Midtown site will know Lorinda Moore. Officially, she is Dean Perkal’s Administrative Assistant in Room 301. But she brings a lot to the table besides her million-dollar smile and her helpful, gracious manner. Lorinda is a 2010 Touro graduate who received last year’s Special Recognition Award. She’s now working on her MBA degree at Touro. But there’s much more that you can discover about Lorinda on Tuesday when the Communication Club presents its first Student Showcase.

Discover the inspiring accomplishments of Touro students!

Hal Wicke

TouroCommunicationClub.blogspot.com – Meeting #137

Contents::

1. This week’s conversation: Debate

2. The next conversation – “Conspiracy Theory & Critical Thinking”

3. Last week’s conversation: “Abbott and Costello” & list of attendees.

This Coming Week:

1. The Touro Communication Club # 137

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!

The Next Conversation

2. The Touro Communication Club #138

Tuesday, May 17, 2011- 2:30 p- 4:00 pm – Room 223

Midtown

“Conspiracy Thinking vs. Critical Thinking”

The assassination of Osama Bin Laden on Sunday, May 1, 2011, has produced the inevitable outbreak of people who don’t believe that bin Laden still lives. In recent years it has always become a predictable “fact” that some people will deny any facts that are presented in support of an action or a position.

To be simplistic, for a change, let us group these kinds of people as “Conspiracy Theorists.” The basic pattern of this thinking is to deny any set of facts as untrue. Examples abound:

· President Obama’s birth certificate is the most recent, or

· Global Warming (or climate change as it is now called for the politically correct), or

· Was Lee Harvey Oswald President Kennedy’s killer? or

· Unidentified Flying Objects, or

· and, most dangerously, the Holocaust.

Other everyday circumstances of the denial of factual evidence show up when

· Someone calls you a liar, or

· Someone continues to lie despite the evidence, or

· A student shouts at a teacher, “You’re wrong!” among others.

We will attempt to identify these and other issues which are conducive to “Conspiracy Thinking” and examine how “Critical Thinking’ can aid in understanding what and why this occurs. Perhaps a bit of Freud might help, too.

Join us in Thinking Outside the Box!

(Or Just Thinking!)

Last Week’s Conversation

3. 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 of the first session. The second session was Maurice Ravel’s “Bolero.”

The topic attracted an attentive and enthusiastic people of 19 with many new faces. They included: Yanchen Lama, Jean Missial, Vlad Konyshev, David Davidov, Logunshvili Nicki (sp?), Omer Gurbuzer, Bahadirhan Keles (sp?), Jean Bonne-Année, Tian Yuan Chen, Richard Green (many thanks for handling the DVDs), Nabila Ellithy, Rashmi Hirani, Lorinda Moore (thank you for the flyers), Hong Huang, Htinshu Way, Gena Bardwell, Robert Bohr, Charles Mason, Carlisle Yearwood and Hal Wicke

Hal Wicke

TouroCommunicationClub.blogspot.com – Meeting #136 -#2

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 11^th 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 11^th 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 11^th 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!

11^th 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)

TouroCommunicationClub.blogspot.com – Meeting #136

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 11^th 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 11^th 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 11^th 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!

11^th 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