19 Jan Journal Assignment

As mentioned in your syllabus, you will keep a journal throughout the semester to discuss your thoughts and share your experiences as they relate to concepts discussed in each module. Due dates for each entry are listed in your syllabus.

· Please note that it is NOT a diary. Please do not list activities or ramble on about your daily events.

· Think critically about the material you read in each module and discuss how your real life experiences relate to the concepts from the modules that interest you most.

· Give specific examples, incorporate communication terms from your readings, and expand on your thoughts and ideas.

Example

Chapter One addresses how communication meets physical needs. When we are denied the opportunity for interaction with others, our mental and physical health can suffer. This is one reason why many consider solitary confinement cruel and unusual punishment. What potential effects might solitary confinement have on our physical and mental well being?

· Your journal entry must be a minimum of 350 words and maximum of 375 words

· You must include at least two concepts or terms from this module (or another you find interesting) and relate with your personal experiences

· Remember to underline and bold textbook concepts and terms

What Do I Write About?

On the weeks a journal entry is due, I will include suggestions for entries under assignments. The questions that I pose are merely suggestions, you may write on other subjects as long as the topic relates to interpersonal communication. You do not have to write only about the module we are currently reading. If we are discussing Module 7, but you want to go back and readdress an issue or concept from Module 4, that is fine. This is a chance for you to write about what interest you most. If you chose to answer one of the suggested questions, please only respond to one question so you may discuss in great detail with specific examples to support your views. Please do not try to answer all the questions posed as you will not have ample space to discuss on a deeper level.

Suggestions for First Journal Entry

You may choose one of the suggestions below or pick your own topic of interest from this class.

1. Of all the various needs served by communication, which ones do you attend to the most? How often do you feel you are trying to meet more than one need at once?

2. People often mistakenly believe that more communication, or better communication, will solve any problem. What are some relational problems that cannot be solved by more or better communication?

3. What are some of the unique pitfalls associated with online communication? How does a competent online communicator avoid these pitfalls? What communication barriers have you experienced while using technology to communicate with others?

4. Why is it important to communicate ethically when people often have such different ideas about ethics?

Part 2 (I have not got the textbook for this part of the assignment, please just answer the best you can without it) (AD)

Chapter 1

1) Before we start class, how would you define stress? How do you know you are stressed? How do you know others are stressed around you?

2) Of the seven different dimensions of health defined in the book, which ones do you think you are doing a good job on? Which ones would you like to improve? Why?

3) Complete the two lab assessments in the chapter, 1) “What causes you stress” and 2) “Why do some of your stressors result in a stress response”

What do you think about your results? What was the activity like for you?

Chapter 2:

1) What do you think about the differences between how men and women handle stress differently as described in the chapter?

2) The chapter describes a number of systems in our body. Which of the systems have you felt stress have had a negative affect? Are there specific symptoms that you recognize?

3) Complete the lab assessment in the chapter: “What are your physiological reactions to stress”. What was that activity like for you?