My Study of Communication at Bryant University

My Study of Communication at Bryant University

By: Robert Converse

My Study of Communication at Bryant University

When I first entered Bryant University as a freshman, I had a clear vision that I would
major in Marketing and choose a liberal arts minor when the time came, since Bryant requires
both a business and liberal arts concentration of study in choosing your major and minor. During
the spring semester of my sophomore year, I had taken Foundations of Marketing Management
and Introduction to Communication at the same time. While taking the two courses, I had
become more interested in the communication course. In this course, I had become introduced to
the many different areas of the communication discipline and had become intrigued by the wide
variety of course options and areas of study that were offered. Additionally, when I took this
course, I was not the most competent communicator and wanted to improve my communication
skills. If I were to see myself succeeding in my post-graduation life, I would need to become a
better communicator, so the communication discipline seemed to offer the ability to improve my
communication through the Interpersonal Communication and Public Speaking courses. Since
the communication discipline offered such a wide variety of course options, I felt as though I was
able to mold my education in a way that would effectively help me in the future as I become
involved in professional and organizational communication. However, I also felt as though I was
able to choose courses that I had taken an interest in as well. While many of the required
communication courses had engaged me in a wide variety of areas of study in communication,
such as Mass Communication; Interpersonal Communication; Public Speaking; Video Mediated
Communication; Communication Research Methods and the many topics in communication
discussed in the Senior Seminar in Communication Theory course, I was also able to choose
courses I had taken a special interest in as well. These courses included Documentary
Filmmaking; Writing for Social Media; Dark Side of Human Communication; Studies in Film

My Study of Communication at Bryant University

and Video; Sports Media Production; Sociological Imagination What We See When We Watch
TV; and Film Genre Studies in Film Noir.
After I had taken the Introduction to Communication course, I had taken a particular
interest in my Interpersonal Communication, Mass Communication, Video Mediated
Communication and Documentary Filmmaking courses. Since I had considered myself an
incompetent communicator and needed to improve upon my communication skills early in my
study of the communication discipline, the Interpersonal Communication course, which was
taken at the same time as my Public Speaking course, taught us about the different theories
regarding the topic and how to become a competent interpersonal communicator. This course
also required us to keep a journal of our communication experiences, which was designed to
focus on building better relationships with those you are already friends, family or in a romantic
relationship with, but also to form new relationships. While taking these courses, I had also
moved in with a new group of roommates which I had been newly acquainted with. Although I
had started the semester off with solid relationships with all of my new roommates, the public
speaking course had helped me to speak up in front of groups of people, and the journal helped
me focus on building these relationships. The information learned and experiences gained from
these courses also helped in building relationships with their friends as well. In addition to using
the journal, I was also able to apply the many different theories that were presented about
Interpersonal Communication to the building of these new relationships. By learning about
competent communication; Social Penetration Theory; Uncertainty Reduction Theory; Politeness
Theory and the two dimensions of face; Social Exchange Theory; the dialectical tensions and
other theories presented in the course, the information presented in the theories provide the
groundwork for the way relationships are built, as well as how interpersonal communication is

My Study of Communication at Bryant University

performed both effectively and appropriately. In writing the journal for the Interpersonal
Communication course and applying the theories to the formation of these new relationships, it
led to a cognitive reflection upon these relationships. In the second semester of this year, I had
realized that many of these relationships did not serve my positive balance of social exchange. I
had become determined to form a better relationship with a specific group of friends instead of
maintaining relationships with many people which I found it difficult to keep track of. The
theories and information presented in the course also helped me realize that some of these
relationships were destructive to my well-being, so I was able to effectively terminate them and
become more satisfied with my life at the time.
The Mass Communication and Video Mediated Communication course, taken with the
same professor, provided a scope of communication that does not involve the face-to-face
communication that one would think most commonly as communication between individuals.
Although Video Mediated Communication can involve face-to-face communication through
video mediated technologies, the nature of these courses was to learn about the different forms of
communication that involve communication on a mass scale and communication through video
mediated technologies. These two forms of communication have evolved over the course of their
existences and continue to provide new innovations, as well as topics of discussion and research
amongst them. The Mass Communication course taught me a lot about the landscape of the
media industry, as well as the history involved in its ongoing evolution. Upon taking the Video
Mediated Communication course, we had learned about the ways this form of communication is
used by the media industry, as well as by organizations and individuals in society. Taking the
Mass Communication course prior to this course had put mass communications into perspective
for me. When engaging in the group project for the Video Mediated Communication course, the

My Study of Communication at Bryant University

knowledge provided to me in Mass Communication had allowed me to succeed. As a group, we

created a website that displayed a video blog where we reviewed and rated apps. Using a mass
communication and journalist context to deliver our reviews, we were able to create interesting,
well-designed videos that the professor was impressed with. These courses taught me about
different aspects of communication that involve communicating on a mass-scale to an audience,
as well as communication through video mediated technologies.
Although I had chosen the Writing for Social Media course in order to improve my
knowledge of social media in an organizational or professional setting, as well as writing for
social media in these settings, my interest in the course was also provoked by my previous
experiences in the Mass Communication and Video Mediated Communication courses.
Additionally, the Writing for Social Media course was taught by the same professor as the prior
two courses, so I knew that I would gain a positive learning experience regarding social media.
Being that social media is a form of mediated communication between mass communicators and
their audiences, I had gained a wealth of knowledge prior to entering this course, which helped in
my completion of the group project for this course. For this project, we were required to choose
an organization and develop an effective social media plan for them to improve upon their social
media efforts. Although we learned how effectively utilize proper social media platforms and
create content in this course, my knowledge of mass and mediated communication aided my
ability to succeed in this course. Additionally, the combination of these courses in my education
of communication has led to my interest in organizational and professional social media. If I
choose to enter a career path involving the use of social media for an organization or for other
professional purposes, the learning experiences gained from these courses would prove to be
very useful. Even if my career does not specifically revolve around the use of mass

My Study of Communication at Bryant University

communication, mediated communication or social media, it is still important to understand how

they operate in order to succeed in todays society which heavily relies on the usage of these
forms of communication. If in an entrepreneurial or ownership role, it would be useful to
understand how social media can be used to positively impact your business, however, any role
in todays office settings would involve the use of mediated communication between co-workers
and/or clients.
The Documentary Filmmaking course was the first film related course I had taken at
Bryant University. Although I was merely just interested in the course and did not appreciate the
full value of the course at the time, I have now come to understand the full value of the film
courses I have taken. In the Documentary Filmmaking course, we learned about the ways in
which documentaries are created through the filming and editing of actual videos we produced.
This involved learning about the different aspects involved in structuring a documentary,
including the story angle, interviewing techniques, and how to effectively communicate the
purpose of a documentary through filming and editing. While this course was taken because of
my potential interest in the production and analyzing of film, it had led me to take other film
courses later in my study of communication. My success and interest in this course led me to
choose the Studies in Film and Video course, which happened to be taught by the same professor
as my Documentary Filmmaking course. This course analyzed the evolution of film as a creative
medium, as it developed its storytelling ability, use of film language and creative techniques by
the director and implementation of new technologies in film over the course of its existence.
Although the Documentary Filmmaking course had sparked my interest in film, the Studies in
Film and Video course had led to my interest in the analyzing of film through the directors use
of film language and creative techniques to send specific messages or ideas to the audience.

My Study of Communication at Bryant University

When watching television and movies, even for leisure, I have become more analytical of the
story itself, but also of the directors use of film language and creative techniques in what they
are trying to communicate.
Becoming more interested in analyzing film and the use of film techniques, I had become
intrigued by the Film Genre Studies in Film Noir, Sociological Imagination What We See
When We Watch TV, and Sports Media Production courses during my final semester at Bryant
University. The Film Genre Studies in Film Noir course analyzed the noir and neo-noir genres of
film and presented many different thought provoking ideas. Since these films were made by men,
for men, in the 1940s and 50s, they were very reflective of mens values and the way things were
at this time. It has been interesting to see the way that men and women are portrayed in noir style
films, as well as the evolution of women from noir to neo-noir films because of the views on
women during the time which noir style films were made. Additionally, the professor presents
ideas from these films that have implications on our own lives and modern day society, providing
a course which positively impacted my analytical skills, as well as providing a series of thought
provoking ideas. Along with this course, the Sociological Imagination What We See When We
Watch TV also provided interesting coursework through the analysis of the HBO show, The
Wire, and readings regarding sociological issues that are presented in the show. The Wire
displays a nearly realistic portrayal of inner-city Baltimore through a binary constructed narrative
of the gang culture on the streets and that of the Baltimore police. Additionally, the show
presents challenging ideas in the form of corruption, violence and murder, racism, sexism,
portrayals of homosexuals which are not stereotypical of their characteristics, and other
challenging sociological issues. The analysis of the show through the information provided in the
various readings given by the professor have led to a deeper understanding of the sociological

My Study of Communication at Bryant University

issues presented in the show. Additionally, it has led me to become more interested in politics
and potentially improving sociological issues on a large scale someday. Although I have not
typically been very interested in politics in the past, this course, as well as my own research, has
opened my eyes to the many problems which face this world and my desire to one day have a
positive impact on these problems.
When first beginning my study of communication, I was actually under the impression
that I would focus my area of study on a concentration in sports studies in the communication
discipline. Upon realizing that I would have been required to take many more courses, I decided
not to pursue a sports studies concentration. However, the Sports Media Production course has
provided me the opportunity to at least take one course related to sports studies. Since I am very
interested in sports, sports media, and potentially working for a sports oriented company, this
course allowed me to engage in this area of study. While producing videos related to sports, I
learned how to effectively broadcast sports media. Along with experiences and information
learned in previous communication and film related courses, I have learned how to create an
effective how-to sports video, a highlight video and a sports news story. The highlight video
and sports news stories were taught to be produced in the context of local sports media, as if the
video were to be broadcast through a local news station. In learning about local sports media, I
learned the differences in producing sports media for larger sports oriented media corporations
such as ESPN and producing sports media for a local broadcast television news station. If I
decide to pursue a career path that pertains to the production of sports media, this course would
prove to be very valuable in beginning my experience in the field.
Although I have gained much value from all of the courses I have taken in the
communication discipline, the final three courses in my study of communication at Bryant

My Study of Communication at Bryant University

University have provided me with the greatest value. These courses include Communication
Research Methods, The Dark Side of Human Communication and Senior Seminar in
Communication Theory. Although the Communication Research Methods course was very dense
in its presentation of the research methods involved in conducting a wide variety of different
research projects regarding communication, it greatly improved the quality of my writing and
research skills. After taking this course, I have taken a more thoughtful and systematic approach
in my writing. The writing style used in completing a scholarly journal article will help me
achieve communicative goals through writing, throughout my professional career, no matter
where this career is located, or what the nature of the work is to be completed. Additionally, the
understanding of source credibility has been useful in conducting research in other courses, as
well as on my own time. Not only did this course teach me how to write a scholarly journal
article, properly conduct scholarly communication research, and how to become a better writer,
but this course also helped me exercise my leadership qualities. In many of my past group
projects at Bryant, I have typically taken a follower approach and completed the work that was
given to me, however, this project was not only very difficult and lengthy, but it had captured my
interest. Since I had come up with the research topic for our group, initially delegated group
responsibilities and how the project would be completed, I became very involved in taking on a
leadership role in the group. This also led me to step up as a leader in my Writing for Social
Media group project which was completed during the same semester as the Communication
Research Methods group project. This course allowed me to improve upon my leadership skills,
as well as my research and writing skills, providing much value for my pursuit of a profession
after I graduate.

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During the semester which I had taken the Communication Research Methods course, I
had also chosen to take the Dark Side of Human Communication course. This course was
initially chosen as a special interest subject, however, I gained much value from the subject
matter of the course, as well as the nature of the course design. The course material was very
intriguing and introduced many topics which are not typically discussed in everyday
communication experiences, nor in other courses. By engaging in these types of topics in a
discussion-oriented course, rather than a lecture, we could reflect upon classmates experiences
and opinions on the subject matter. If situations would arise that pertained to these dark topics,
we would be more prepared to face these situations in real life by discussing them in an open,
trusting and relaxed manner. Not only did the course material provide useful information for
potential, dark communication experiences, but this was the first course I have been in that had a
discussion-oriented format. Instead of the professor standing in front of the class, reviewing the
material and theories presented in the readings, the professor would begin the class by asking
what we would like to talk about. A student would then begin the discussion by posing a
discussion question based on the reading, which other students would answer with evidence
provided from the book, their opinions, past experiences, or examples of potential experiences.
This course helped me become a better discussion and group-based communicator. Since I have
struggled with communicating in groups, and a large portion of the grade in this course was
based on class participation, I was forced to actively become a better group communicator by
continuously participating in this course. Upon taking Senior Seminar in Communication Theory,
the course had the same exact format as the Dark Side in Communication course, as well as the
same professor. The completion of the Dark Side in Communication course had prepared me
extremely well for the senior seminar, and the professor had looked for me to be a main

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participator early in the course. This course prepared me for the senior seminar, but also, more
importantly, contributed to my ability to participate in group discussions effectively.
Initially, each course I have taken until, and at the same time as the senior seminar
course, was taken as an individual entity. It was not until the final stages of the course and
semester that I had come to understand the way in which each course I have taken in
communication has contributed to my total body of education and understanding of
communication as a whole. At this point in my education of the communication discipline, as I
come to my final weeks at Bryant University, graduating in December of 2016, I have come to
appreciate each stage in the process of my education. Although I have taken much time off from
school at two separate points and am 24 years old, I would not be where I am today without the
combination of my educational and working experiences that have contributed towards my total
body of knowledge and capabilities as I look to pursue a profession post-graduation. Looking at
what I have learned and experienced throughout the many different courses I have taken in
communication, I did not initially understand how everything would fit together. By taking a
look at most of the areas of study in the communication discipline through the Senior Seminar in
Communication Theory course, I was able to see how the courses I have taken fit together to
contribute to my total body of knowledge and capabilities.
I am glad that I decided to change from a Marketing major to a Communication major
because communication is something that is used in our everyday lives, as well as in any
profession that I might choose. As I look forward to my post-graduation life, I seek to continue to
become a better communicator. Although I do not wish to seek a graduate degree immediately
after I graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication, I aim to continue to retrieve
as much information as possible in becoming the best possible communicator that I can be. Many

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times in communication endeavors, we are so focused on being effective, achieving our own
communicative goals, that we lack appropriateness and a receiver orientation to communication.
We must communicate to listen and learn, rather than to speak and be heard. I seek to continue
my journey in becoming a better listener and more reactive in communication endeavors, rather
than focusing more on what I have to say. By continuing to read articles which pertain to
communication and reflecting on the communication experiences which I have on a daily basis, I
seek to continue my study and practice of communication during my post-graduation life. No
matter what profession I choose, I wish to become a professional and competent communicator
in any and every communication endeavor that I continue to experience throughout my life. This
can only be achieved by mindfully engaging in these activities which will positively impact my
ability to communicate professionally and competently.