CRS 181 TEST DOCUMENT

Communication

The process of exchanging information, ideas, and meaning between individuals or groups.

Culture

Shared practices, beliefs, values, customs, and artifacts that define a group or society.

Informed Choices

Decisions made based on a clear understanding of available information and consequences.

Critical Paradigms

Frameworks for analyzing social phenomena focusing on power dynamics and social justice.

Critical Perspectives

Viewing phenomena through a lens that critiques dominant ideologies and highlights marginalized voices.

Power as a Relationship

Power is a relational concept existing in interactions, shaped by social, economic, and cultural forces.

Communication, Culture, and Power

Interconnected elements where communication shapes and is shaped by cultural norms and power dynamics.

Cultural Location

The position individuals or groups occupy within a specific cultural context, influenced by factors like race and gender.

Systems of Meaning

Structures within a culture that determine how individuals interpret signs, symbols, and language.

Communication as Representation

The idea that communication reflects or mirrors reality through signs and symbols.

Communication as Constitutive

Communication creates meaning, identities, and social relations, shaping society and interactions.

Communication as a Process

An ongoing and dynamic process involving continuous feedback and adjustments.

Transmission Model of Communication

A linear process where a sender transmits a message to a receiver through a specific channel.

Objective History

History presented free from bias, ideally based on facts without interpretation.

Arguments Against Objectivity

Historians' interpretations may reflect their cultural or personal perspectives, challenging complete objectivity.

Hayden White

A theorist emphasizing that historical writing involves storytelling, making history subjective.

Hayden White- Four Historical Narrative Genres

Romance, Tragedy, Comedy, and Satire, each with distinct thematic focuses.

Rhetoric

The art of persuasion through speaking or writing.

Sophists

Ancient Greek teachers who emphasized rhetoric to win arguments, often prioritizing style over truth.

Plato’s View on Rhetoric

Critical of rhetoric as manipulation unless rooted in philosophical truth.

Socratic Method

A dialogue-based approach to pursue truth through questioning rather than persuasion.

Aristotle

Systematized rhetoric into key components, viewing it as a useful tool for persuasion.

Ethos

The credibility of the speaker in persuasive communication.

Logos

Logical appeal using reason and evidence in arguments.

Pathos

Emotional appeal to the audience in persuasive communication.

Scientific Models of Communication

Various models including Constitutive, Linear, Interaction, and Transactional approaches.

Social Constructionism

The theory that reality is shaped by social processes and interactions.

Critical/Cultural Turn

A shift in communication studies focusing on culture, power, and ideology.

Public Advocacy

Using communication to advocate for causes and influence public opinion for social change.

Paulo Freire

An educator emphasizing education as a tool for liberation and social justice.

Banking Model

A traditional education method where teachers deposit information into students.

Problem-Posing Model

Freire’s approach where knowledge is co-created through dialogue and critical reflection.

Reflection

Looking back on experiences to consider their significance.

Reflexivity

Examining one's role and biases to understand their impact on perspectives.

Hegemony

Dominance of one group over others through cultural means.

Privilege

Unearned advantages based on social position, often invisible to those who benefit.

Candor

Honest and straightforward communication.

Compassion

Approaching conversations with empathy and understanding.

Listening

Active engagement in understanding others’ perspectives.

I-Thou Relationship

A genuine dialogue recognizing individuals as equals with mutual respect.

Critical Thinking

The ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information thoughtfully.

Toulmin’s Model of Argumentation

A structure for arguments including claim, evidence, warrant, rebuttal, and conclusion.

Deductive Reasoning

Applying a general principle to specific cases.

Inductive Reasoning

Forming a general conclusion from specific observations.

Faulty Deductive Reasoning

Occurs when premises are false or logic is flawed.

Logical Fallacies

Errors in reasoning that weaken arguments.

Types of Logical Fallacies

Include Slippery Slope, Ad Hominem, Straw Person, and Red Herring.

Impact of Logical Fallacies

They undermine the validity of reasoning and weaken argument persuasiveness.