SpCom 103 ? Interpersonal Communication
Application Assignment #2 ? 100 points
Spring 2014
Chapter 5 of the textbook and the lecture presented in class revolved around language. A
number of concepts reviewed how language is socially created among individuals and reinforced based upon a number of language ?rules.? To explore this area in more detail, review the materials we have covered and write an essay which addresses the following:
1. Why do people laugh at jokes that put-down other people? Can a joke be funny even
if it is distasteful? Is there a boundary for jokes about groups of people (i.e., based
on race, religion, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, etc.) that people should
stay inside? Are there certain circumstances when it is okay to ?violate? this
boundary-rule in an acceptable manner? Why or why not?
2. There is much disagreement about hate speech laws. Supporters maintain they are
necessary to promote civility. Critics contend they create unconstitutional
censorship. What do you think?
3. Certain slur-words (i.e., against specific races, religions, sexual orientations, etc.) are
sometimes seen as having a double-standard about whether they should be 100%
?off-limits? or whether the members of a group has the ?right? to self-slur against their
own group?yet continue to be offended if ?outsiders? use the same slur-term against
them. What do you think?
Each student will submit a typewritten, double-spaced reaction paper essay which responds
to the above issues. The finished product should be 3 to 5 pages and free of spelling, punctuation, syntax, and typographical errors. Your essay should follow conventional essay writing expectations (e.g., introduction, thesis statement for each paragraph, conclusion, etc.)
***The text book we are using is “Interpersonal Communication” by Kory Floyd (2nd edition)
***Please make sure you use scholarly references
