MAY 2003

5/20/03 General Introduction to Course. Communication Processes and Models

Miscommunication Assignment (Due 5/27):
Notice during the week of 5/21 to 5/27 any instances of "miscommunication" or "misunderstanding" you experience or observe. Arguments are often the result of miscommunication, so especially note these. Try to figure out what caused the miscommunication. If nothing happens this week, try to remember a miscommunication or misunderstanding from the recent past. Prepare a one page paper that discusses: 1) what caused the miscommunication, 2) what could have been done to prevent it, and 3) how this miscommunication relates to one or more of the assigned readings. If nothing happens this week, try to remember a miscommunication from the recent past. Be prepared to discuss in class on 5/27.

Interviewing and Placement Skills Assignment (Due 5/29):
Email or fax your current resume to Judy Nylen, Director of Pratt Career Services (jnylen@pratt.edu, fax 718-636-3547). Indicate to Ms. Nylen what type of library setting you are interested in working in as a career goal.

5/22/03 Communication Theory and the Library ContextApplication of Communication Theory to the Information Profession.
Required Readings:

• Radford Text, Ch. 1-3 (pp. 1-32).
• Radford, M. L. & Radford, G. P. (1997). Power, knowledge, and fear: Feminism, Foucault and the stereotype of the female librarian. Library Quarterly, 67(3), 250-266.
• Dervin, B. (1977) Useful theory for librarianship: Communication, not information. Drexel Library Quarterly, 13(3), 16-32.
• Taylor, R. S. (1968). Question negotiation and information seeking in libraries. College and Research Libraries, 29(3), 178-194.

5/27/03 The Self and Communication
Miscommunication Assignment Due. Video "The Private Universe"
Required Reading:

• Radford Text, Ch. 4-5 (pp. 33-69).
• DeVito, J. A. (1999). "The Self," Ch. 2 of Messages: Building Interpersonal Communication Skills (4th Ed.) NY: Longman, 37-64.

• Griffin, E. M. (1994). "Talk about Communication," Ch. 2 of A First look at communication theory (2nd Ed.),NY: McGraw-Hill, 19-31.

5/29/03 Verbal Communication - Use of Language Including gender differences.
Video Clips from My Cousing Vinnie
Required Readings:

• DeVito, J. A. (2004). Universals of Verbal and Nonverbal Messages, Ch. 6 of The Interpersonal Communication Book (10th Ed.), NY: Allyn and Bacon, 133-153.
• DeVito, J. A. (2004). Verbal Messages, Ch. 7 of The Interpersonal Communication Book (10th Ed.), NY: Allyn and Bacon, 154-178.
• Ross, C. & Dewdney, P. (1998). Communicating Professionally, 2nd Ed., Ch. 6. "Applications: Speaking One-to-One," pp. 91-138.
• Tannen, D. (1990). You just don't understand: Women and men in conversation. Ballantine Books: NY. Chapter 1. pp. 23-48.

• Dewdney, P. & Michell, G. (Summer, 1996). Oranges and peaches: Understanding communication accidents in the reference interview. RQ 35(4), 520-536.

June

6/3/03 Nonverbal Communication in the Library Context & Intercultural Communication
Thought Piece #1 Due
Video World of Gestures & clips from The Joy Luck Club
Required Readings:

• Liu, M. & Redfern, B. (July, 1997) "Information-seeking behavior of multicultural students: A case study at San Jose State University." College & Research Libraries, 58 (4), 348-354.
• Radford, M. L. (Spring 1998). Approach or aviodance? The role of nonverbal comunication in the academic library user's decision to initiate a reference encounter.Library Trends 46(4), 699-717.
• Ross, C. & Dewdney, P. (1998). Nonverbal Behavior, Ch. 1 of Communicating Professionally, 2nd Ed., pp. 3-14.
• Samovar, L.A. & Porter, R. (1991). "Basic principles of intercultural communication." Chapter 1 of Intercultural Communication (6th Ed.), Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Pub. Co., pp. 5-22.

• Burgoon, J.K, Buller, D.B., & Woodall, W.G. (1989). Nonverbal Communication, Ch. 1 of Nonverbal Communication: The Unspoken Dialogue, NY: Harper & Row, 3-34.

6/5/03 Impression Management; Dealing with Users of All Ages.
Required Readings:

• Radford Text, Ch. 6-7 (pp. 70-102).
• Bunge, C.A. (1994). Responsive reference service: Breaking down age barriers. School Library Journal, 30(3), 142-145.
• Chelton, M. K. (1997). The "overdue kid:" A face-to-face library service encounter as ritual interaction. Library and Information Science Research, 19(4), 99-111.
• Goffman, E. (1967). Interaction Ritual. NY: Doubleday. Read "On Face-Work," pp. 5-45.
• Jones, P. (1996). "Opposites attract: Young adults and libraries." In: B. McNeil & D. Johnson, Patron behavior in libraries: A handbook of positive approaches to negative situations, pp. 44-55. Chicago: ALA.

• Mellon, C. A. (1995). "She's nice and she helps:" What 6th graders say about school librarians. School Library Journal, 41(5), 27-29.

6/10/03 The Interactional View & Managing Conflict Content and Relational Dimensions of Communication. The Reference Encounter.
Video clips from Annie Hall, The Difficult Reference Question, Meet the Parents, and Best in Show.
Thought Piece 2 Due.
Required Readings:

• Anderson, A. J. (Feb. 1, 1993). How do you manage? Case study: Polly wants a doctor. Library Journal, 55-57.
• Retzinger, S. M. (1991). "Toward a theory of conflict." Chapter 2 of Violent emotions: Shame and rage in marital quarrels. Newbury Park, CA: Sage, pp. 25-61.
• Rubin, R. J. (1990). Anger in the library: defusing angry patrons at the reference desk. Reference Librarian, (31), 39-51.
• Watzlawick, P., Beavin, J., & Jackson, D. (1967). Pragmatics of Human Communication. NY: Norton. "Some Tentative Axioms of Communication," pp. 1-4.

• Dewdney, P. & Ross, C. S. (winter, 1994). Flying a light aircraft: Reference service evaluation from the user's viewpoint. RQ, 34(2), 217-230.
• Smith, N. M. (1996). "Active listening: Alleviating patron problems through communication." In: B. McNeil & D. Johnson, Patron behavior in libraries: A handbook of positive approaches to negative situations, 127-134. Chicago: ALA.
• Turner, A. M. (1993). "Street People, the Mentally Disabled, Substance Abusers, & Other Symbols of Our Times," Chapter 3 of: It comes with the territory: Handling problem situations in libraries. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, pp. 31-44.

6/12/03 Constructivism. Guest speaker, Dr. Gary Radford, Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Required Readings:

• Pearce, W. B. (1994). "Understanding Conversations," Chapter 1 of Interpersonal Communication: Making Social Worlds, NY: Harper Collins, pp. 4-36. LI>Pearce, W. B. (1994). "Competence in Making Social Worlds," Chapter 2 of Interpersonal Communication: Making Social Worlds, NY: Harper Collins, pp. 52-75.

6/17/03 Communication Strategies for Achieving Excellent Library Service
Thought Piece #3 Due. Final Exam Handed Out.
Required Readings:

• Radford Text, Ch. 8-9, pp. 103-144.
• Ross, C. & Dewdney, P. (1998). Communicating Professionally, 2nd Ed., Ch. 2 "Listening" pp. 15-20.
• RUSA Guidelines for behavioral performance of reference and information services professionals. (1996). RQ, 36(2), 200-203.

• Weingand, D. E. (1997). Customer service excellence: A concise guide for librarians. Chicago: ALA Ch. 1&2, pp. 1-31.

6/19/03 Guest Speaker TBA.

6/24/03 Guest Speaker TBA.

6/26/03 Interviewing & Placement Skills.
Guest Speaker: Judy Nylen, Pratt Institute, Career Services
Final Exam Due.