1. What is communication? Transmission Transmission Message Message Clarity of transmission and reception Clarity of transmission and reception Mutual understanding Mutual understanding Layers of meanings, “winks upon winks” Layers of meanings, “winks upon winks” Sensemaking, reflection, and telling Sensemaking, reflection, and telling One cannot not communicate One cannot not communicate

2. Communication - Culture Culture shapes language choice Culture shapes language choice Culture shapes language use Culture shapes language use Language use shapes culture Language use shapes culture

3. Communication is a tool we use within culture Culture evolves from Communication Communication is a transmission or transaction Communication is a continuous relationship Language reflects or depicts reality Language constructs reality Modernist Social Constructionist

4. Theories of Meaning Modernist: Modernist: Picture Theory of Language (represented well by Ludwig Wittgenstein) Social Constructionist: Social Constructionist: Entitlement Theory of Language (represented well by Kenneth Burke)

5. Picture Theory Language is a representation of reality Language is a representation of reality Language presents a picture of reality Language presents a picture of reality Entitlement Theory Language filters and organizes reality. Language filters and organizes reality. We use language to name; therefore shape and delimit our reality We use language to name; therefore shape and delimit our reality

6. Entitlement through Texts E.g.: Ritual of reading newspapers E.g.: Ritual of reading newspapers E.g.: Superbowl viewing E.g.: Superbowl viewing E.g.: Reading articles for class E.g.: Reading articles for class Filters our experience of the world Filters our experience of the world Tells us what’s important Tells us what’s important Builds a particular view of reality Builds a particular view of reality Over time, becomes reality Over time, becomes reality

7. Naming and Framing Reality Irving Goffman, social psychologist writing in the ’60s. Studying the way that neuroses get built through language (which informs science, which informs language…) Talked about how we frame our experiences

8. Naming and Framing Reality Experience builds frames Experience builds frames Language choices and limits are built into frames Language choices and limits are built into frames Frames are passed on to children and students Frames are passed on to children and students Social reality is built…. Social reality is built….  On patterns or habits  through communication interaction

9. Naming and framing reality = is metaphorical process Frames are mostly dead metaphors Frames are mostly dead metaphors “Frame break” = catalyst for change “Frame break” = catalyst for change Change in thinking is limited by imagination Change in thinking is limited by imagination Imagination is limited by root metaphors Imagination is limited by root metaphors

10. Framing our experience of the Internet Frontier Frontier Information Superhighway Information Superhighway Net, Network Net, Network Web Web