Communication from UC Irvine

Tomorrow, a discussion panel, "Hacking Politics in India", is open to all with UC Irvine's very own Communication professor, Lilly Irani!

The talk will take place 12:30-2pm at the Communication Building at the Herbert I. Schiller Room 201.  Students and participants will learn about the recent hackathon in Delhi, India as a middle-class effort to develop software in support of participatory law making.
This a also great opportunity for UCSD Communication students to experience what UCI students can learn at their Comm department. 

Here's the flyer:

http://communication.ucsd.edu/_files/Lilly%20Talk%202.pdf

Power to Sell a Sandwich

In the UCSD Communication department, there is great focus in the lower division courses and electives on the media and effect in advertising.

Advertising examples we have focused on.....Carl's Jr. commercials....
Accompanying the famous term "Sex sells", Carl's Jr. has made quite a few commercials all similar with attractive women, in seductive clothing, eating and "enjoying" sandwiches. Do they expect to sell these sandwiches, filled with meat, to other sexy women?
Most likely the answer is no, as Carl's Jr. does aim to appeal to male appetite.
It could also be argued that Carl's Jr. intentionally adds the "sex" factor to be ironic, humorous, and more entertaining.
What do you think? Watch a few:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc9Kd6IdQn0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMi8fcGSozc

Happy Valentines Day! Much Love, Much $$

Its the day to spice up your romance or be extra loving towards those you care for!

But what exactly does Valentine's Day mean to us?

One perspective can be global, since this holiday is more Westernized.  In the article, "Valentine's Day under attack in Pakistan", those in Pakistan are forbidden to celebrate this day because the country's authority wants their people to maintain their culture and pride. They described celebrating this holiday is "a sign that Western culture and values are eating away the fabric of Pakistan’s traditional, Islamic society." Many of the Pakistan citizens revolt by buying their wives or loved ones tremendous 

Now, from that point, we can see in this picture how the husband doesn't care about boycotting Valentine's Day because he only wants to express how much he loves her wife. Aww!
But by purchasing all these nice goods, flowers, and fancy gifts for a loved one, could it ruin the actual romance or spark? Or is it what you receive or do on the holiday? If that's the case, those who are not in the financial state can't exactly "show" how much they love someone, can they?
Fox article, "Valentines Day By the Numbers" shows the statistics of how much money is spent on a certain commodity for the holiday. Companies and businesses also boom in targeting to sell their product/service for this certain day, and many aim to increase the profit, and not necessarily
So could Pakistan be exactly wrong to rebel the Westernized culture of massive consumption?

Feel free to leave your comments/thoughts! :)

Just Communicating Away!

The anniversary is sure arriving soon, and we are making big progress to make it successful. 

The COMM 146 class has already started on alumni interviews, 

We will also be active around campus, so expect to see our flyers and our table on Triton Day! (next to the Undergraduate Communication Society (UCS) and the Administration staff) How exciting!

Michael Schudson (Sociology of News):

“Communication is the social coordincation of indivudals and gruops  through shared symbols and meanings”

Social Media Helping Those Wanting to Work with Social Media

What is a better way to help those interested in working with social media in future careers or those pursuing marketing and advertising? Using social media!

On our Facebook page and Twitter, we've been posting statuses, where Communication students or others can read, about social media tools dedicated to help these specific career fields. In these blogs or twitter accounts, there are professionals and experienced people in marketing/ PR and such who are willing to share their stories and secrets in becoming better with what they do.
These ways are effective for the social media obsessed, and they can conveniently learn tips to land a job in their field or become more effective in their work.

Here are a few pages we have shared!

99problemsbutapitchaintone.tumblr.com  

http://www.thedailymuse.com/education/10-great-twitter-chats-for-grad-students/

http://thisadvertisinglife.tumblr.com/ 

Another week closer....

Its 5th week of school! That means its midterm season for many students and possibly even some dilemmas for those who are graduating UC San Diego and other universities this year, because half of the 2012-2013 school year is over!

In yesterday's COMM 146 class, we are beginning to focus on the concept of "event" and why communication is important for events. What is an event? What is the purpose? Don't we want to bring people together for a particular location for a specific reason?
There can be various reasons actually.... if a person/company wants to earn profit, if its for a philanthropic cause, or even if its for the 30th anniversary of a Communications department!

There are also a lot of elements to consider when planning an "event". You must think of how people are going to socialize, mingle, or interact. It also depends on the audience you are hoping to please, to entertain, or to serve.

Not as easy as it sounds.......

The Graduate

Another interesting work we are approaching and discussing in our lovely class is the Mike Nichols film, "The Graduate" (1967), starring Dustin Hoffman and Katharine Ross. We are exploring montage in the film and how its effects brings out the unique story of an academic genius who has recently graduate college and catches himself in a confused state of having an affair with the mother of a girl who he finds out he loves. 

One of the mentioned still images of seeing the main character "Ben" behind/under Mrs. Robsinson's, the mother's, leg.

Another great montage use are the pool scenes of him pondering and him almost drowning in his life of being his parents' smart, golden trophy boy. 

Shots of Ben at the pool would be incorporated in the montage along with him being in the bedroom with Mrs. Robinson or "doing nothing" in his room. This would show his routine where he doesn't progress anywhere with his successful degree. 

Any other suggestions of montage?