Communication Culture and Constructivism - Assignment Example

1. In a well-written paragraph that incorporates well-selected quotes from the reading (with page numbers), summarize Carey’s account of the transmission view of communication and its historical roots. Be sure to identify what Carey calls its “archetypal case” (18). Transmission view of communication holds that “communication is the transmission of signals, or messages over the distance for the purpose of control” (15). This view is originated in religion and its historical roots can be traced back to Egypt and First Dynasty. Carey, points out that the moral meanings of communication and transportation were the same: establishing and extending “God's Kingdom on earth” (16). Geography is the main metaphor for the transmission view of communication. Communication is seen as dissemination and transmission of ideas, news, as well as Christian messages across the space. Thus, its archetypal case is “the extension of messages across geography for the purpose of control” (18) 2. In a well-written paragraph that incorporates well-selected quotes from the reading (with page numbers), summarize Carey’s account of the ritual view of communication and its historical roots. Be sure to identify what Carey calls its “archetypal case” (18). For Carey, the ritual view of communication is old enough to be called “archaic”. The ritual view of communication employs that communication is related to sharing, participation and fellowship. According to this view, “representation of shared beliefs” is more important than the dissemination of the messages (18). This view highlights the etymological roots of the communication term like “commonness”, “community” and “communion” (18). Hence, the maintenance of the community is of great importance rather than spreading the messages across the space. Similar to transmission view, this view also has religious roots; however, it represents a different aspect of religion. Its archetypical case is not spreading the Christian messages but the “sacred ceremony” that draws people together (18). 3. Summarize Carey’s account of the newspaper as understood from a ritual perspective on communication. According to Carey, the ritual perspective on communication will focus on writing and reading newspaper as ritualistic acts. From this point of view, reading a newspaper means sharing a worldview, rather than learning new things. James W. Carey offers an account in which news is taken as cultural products, he asserts that “news is not information but drama” (21). It is not a coincidence that news are also called stories. News are both stories and histories. Carey claims that “news reflect a particular 'hunger for experience'” (21) rooted in the history of middle class. 4. Using Carey’s accounts of the newspaper as a model, try to construct an account of one of the following from both a ritual and a transmission view of communication: Facebook, ESPN’s Sports Center, or a televised presidential debate (e.g. between McCain and Obama). Under the transmission view of communication, one can hold that Facebook is an internet technology which helps people to find their old friends, to send and receive messages. Under this view, the transmission of messages will be highlighted. Furthermore, Facebook can be seen as the extension of network of friends. One can expand his/her friends' network across the internet space through Facebook. From the ritual perspective, Facebook can be seen as a community of friends, who share common beliefs. Under this view, Facebook is a space for socializing with friends. For example, poking, tagging, liking and commenting can be viewed as ritual acts between friends. Besides, it is also possible to think Facebook as a newspaper about our friends. People share the news about themselves and their experiences through Facebook. The stories and histories of friends published in Facebook. 5. Type up Carey’s definition of communication and carefully read the discussion of it that comes in the next several pages. Then type up three questions you have about that definition—elements of it you don’t understand; quotes that puzzle you; or potential applications of it to real life that you would like to figure out. Carey defines communication “as a symbolic process, whereby reality is produced, maintained, repaired and shared” (23). Questions: 1. How can reality be repaired? 2. How does reality break down, if we are the ones who construct it? Do we also construct a reality “break-down”? 3. Is it possible to make scientific experiments, if reality is produced by communication? 6. Optional Question: Drawing together pages leading into it, Carey writes, “Models of communication are, then, not merely representations of communication but representations for communication” (32). In a thoughtful paragraph, explain what he means by this distinction, and why it is important for students of communication. By this distinction, he reminds us that communication about communication is also a type of communication. Thus, we are not merely describing facts, but creating a meta-discourse on communication. In that sense, our models of communication are also constructed through our intersubjective communication. This distinction is important for students of communication in terms of reflexivity. We should be aware of the fact that we are socially constructing models for communication. Studying the construction of communication models can help us to illuminate the models of our contact and interaction. Lindloff, “Constructivism” 8. How does the theoretical perspective known as constructivism approach the following: reality, meaning, science, and methods? Constructivism argues that human actors construct and form reality. For constructivists, the meaning is not fixed and it is prolific. Since the world is construed by humans, constructivism does not assume the existence of a single reality “out there” for science to discover. Constructivists criticize objectivism in science, hence they tend to be relativistic. From a methodological point of view, constructivism adopts a reflexive stand. Constructivists use mainly qualitative methods like ethnography and discourse analysis. 9. While discussing Alfred Schütz, Lindloff introduces the concept of “intersubjectivity” and special importance of “reciprocal, face-to-face relations we have with our contemporaries” in the construction of reality as we experience it. Apply this idea to some relatively new group experience you have been part of—e.g. living in a dormitory at CU, working at a new job, or being part of COMM 1210. Give a nicely detailed account of specific interactions (e.g. with residence advisors and roommates, with bosses and co-workers, or with teachers and fellow students) and things you did and said together that have helped to establish the reality of dorm, workplace, or class: e.g. rules, ideas, shared opinions, words/phrases/language frequently invoked, and other elements of that small human ‘scene’ that constitutes its realities. Shütz defined intersubjectivity as “the process by which the constructs of everyday experience emerge” (paraphrased by Lindloff). Our everyday experiences are created socially. Being part of COMM 1210 invoked new words like constructivism and intersubjectivity. Face to face relations with fellow students shaped our ideas on communication. In the classroom, we share similar opinions like the world is actively created by our deeds. 10. Lindloff quotes the sociologist W.I. Thomas’ famous dictum, “If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences” (1928). Generate 1 to 3 examples of your own where something that might not “actually” be real comes to be seen that way and as a result generates real consequences. For example, if you believe that you are a highly self-disciplined person, even if you had not been really self-disciplined before, you can become one in time. Or if you think that your boyfriend will leave you, you will act in a certain manner that actually may lead to a break-up. Our thoughts shape our psychology and our actions, hence they generate real consequences. Placebo effect is another interesting example. It is a very common practice that a patient is given an inert pill and he/she feels that their condition has improved. It is not real, but its consequences are real. Read More