The second half of my class on communication theory focused mostly on methods for data analysis, with a particular emphasis on quantitative data. This included using descriptive statistics such as the mean, median, and range, as well as delving into probability theory and learning about significance testing, such as Pearson's r and the t test.
I must admit, at first I was a bit apprehensive at the thought of returning to the dreaded subject of Statistics. I took a course in Statistics early on in my undergraduate studies, and needless to say, it was not a very pleasant experience. I definitely tend to gravitate intellectually more towards the liberal arts subjects than to mathematics. However, when seen in the context of social research, I soon understand the value, and indeed, the power, of using statistical theory to help support research models and arguments. While I still would not say that Statistics is a subject I'm particularly found of, I at least can now approach it with a deeper level of appreciation.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Postmodern Theory
Along with hypertext theory, the most interesting and intriguing communication theory I learned about this semester was Postmodern theory. Our study of the theory was mostly based on Ihab Hassan's landmark article "The Culture of Postmodernism," which I found to be the most vividly memorable of any work I read this semester.
Some students in the class seemed to have trouble understanding just what exactly postmodernism is all about. Indeed, it is a difficult concept to grasp, perhaps because the theory itself seems to eschew the very ideas of definitiveness, uniformity, and objectivity, opting instead for the values of fragmentation, uncertainty, and subjectivity. I found these ideals to fit in quite nicely with my philosophical worldview, in that I have always given consideration to opposing viewpoints and seemingly contradictory values. This is not to say that I believe that there is no real external truth; indeed, giving too much weight to a variety of subjective, localized views can potentially lead one down a slippery moral slope. However, I do think that it's important to acknowledge that our own knowledge is always limited and that there are few, if any, things we can every be intellectually and philosophically certain of.
In its emphasis on divergence and multiplicity, I also found postmodern theory to relate quite nicely with hypertext theory. Indeed, for my essay on hypertext theory, I frequently used Postmodernism as a parallel to the values of hypertext theory. As such, I will undoubtedly carry these two theories with me in my future intellectual endeavors.
Some students in the class seemed to have trouble understanding just what exactly postmodernism is all about. Indeed, it is a difficult concept to grasp, perhaps because the theory itself seems to eschew the very ideas of definitiveness, uniformity, and objectivity, opting instead for the values of fragmentation, uncertainty, and subjectivity. I found these ideals to fit in quite nicely with my philosophical worldview, in that I have always given consideration to opposing viewpoints and seemingly contradictory values. This is not to say that I believe that there is no real external truth; indeed, giving too much weight to a variety of subjective, localized views can potentially lead one down a slippery moral slope. However, I do think that it's important to acknowledge that our own knowledge is always limited and that there are few, if any, things we can every be intellectually and philosophically certain of.
In its emphasis on divergence and multiplicity, I also found postmodern theory to relate quite nicely with hypertext theory. Indeed, for my essay on hypertext theory, I frequently used Postmodernism as a parallel to the values of hypertext theory. As such, I will undoubtedly carry these two theories with me in my future intellectual endeavors.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Hypertext theory
As mentioned previously, this semester has introduced me to a wide range of communication theories. However, one of them has captured my interest more than the others--hypertext theory.
Two important works of hypertext theory I've studied are George Landow's Hypertext 3.0 and Jay David Bolter's Writing Space. As you can see, in the previous sentence, I provided hyperlinks to both the author names and the book names. If you were to click on those links, you would be taken to an entirely different text, either the author's Wikipedia page or the book's Amazon page. Thus, when reading this blog post, you do not necessarily read in a linear fashion; instead, you may follow the other links, read some information there, and then return to this blog to finish your initial reading. This represents an entirely new way of consuming information.
From this example, we can more readily understand some of the basic qualities of hypertext that are integral to the tenets of hypertext theory. The theory posits that these qualities, such as fluidity and multiplicity, can be used as a model for the human condition itself. This new model contrasts with the more traditional, linear model associated with print technology and seemingly provides a better description of we function in this postmodern age.
Two important works of hypertext theory I've studied are George Landow's Hypertext 3.0 and Jay David Bolter's Writing Space. As you can see, in the previous sentence, I provided hyperlinks to both the author names and the book names. If you were to click on those links, you would be taken to an entirely different text, either the author's Wikipedia page or the book's Amazon page. Thus, when reading this blog post, you do not necessarily read in a linear fashion; instead, you may follow the other links, read some information there, and then return to this blog to finish your initial reading. This represents an entirely new way of consuming information.
From this example, we can more readily understand some of the basic qualities of hypertext that are integral to the tenets of hypertext theory. The theory posits that these qualities, such as fluidity and multiplicity, can be used as a model for the human condition itself. This new model contrasts with the more traditional, linear model associated with print technology and seemingly provides a better description of we function in this postmodern age.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Reflections So Far
As I wind down another semester in my graduate program in technical communication, I figure now is a good time to stop and reflect on the semester so far.
To be honest, when I first signed up for the program, I did so mostly for practical (i.e., job-related) purposes. I had already gone the English major route in college, and while this provided for a rather broad and well-balanced liberal arts education, it didn't really prepare me for a specific type of "real-world" job.
Thus, when I stumbled across the idea of technical writing as a career path, I signed up for this graduate program thinking that it would teach me how to write and compose technical literature and not much else. However, the program has been much more stimulating and educationally comprehensive than I initially expected, and I am quite thankful for it. After being away from academia for a few years, it's nice to be intellectually challenged again and to learn about new ideas and theories.
One class I'm taking this semester that has been particularly eye-opening has been a course in Communication Theory and Research. I had never really taken a communication class before, but I soon realized that it's a topic that interests me very much. From the initial overview of communication theory, to learning about Postmodernism, Discourse Theory, Hypertext Theory and others, the whole experience has been both edifying and rewarding. I am still digesting a lot of the content I've learned so far, so I'll be posting some more specific thoughts about all this in the coming days. Stay tuned...
To be honest, when I first signed up for the program, I did so mostly for practical (i.e., job-related) purposes. I had already gone the English major route in college, and while this provided for a rather broad and well-balanced liberal arts education, it didn't really prepare me for a specific type of "real-world" job.
Thus, when I stumbled across the idea of technical writing as a career path, I signed up for this graduate program thinking that it would teach me how to write and compose technical literature and not much else. However, the program has been much more stimulating and educationally comprehensive than I initially expected, and I am quite thankful for it. After being away from academia for a few years, it's nice to be intellectually challenged again and to learn about new ideas and theories.
One class I'm taking this semester that has been particularly eye-opening has been a course in Communication Theory and Research. I had never really taken a communication class before, but I soon realized that it's a topic that interests me very much. From the initial overview of communication theory, to learning about Postmodernism, Discourse Theory, Hypertext Theory and others, the whole experience has been both edifying and rewarding. I am still digesting a lot of the content I've learned so far, so I'll be posting some more specific thoughts about all this in the coming days. Stay tuned...
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