ACADEMIC COURSES
STUDIES OF LEGAL ARGUMENT
Studies of Legal Argument is a course that provided me with a very thorough review of the law, the legal system, and the rules of the court. This course also identified multiple methods of studying arguments made in the courtroom by using very well known cases throughout American history. In particular, this class taught me that many cases have multiple strategies and arguments that are the underpinnings of most judicial decisions. For instance, the well known Roe v WadeSupreme Court decision was not necessarily a ruling on abortion inasmuch as it was ruling on a woman’s right to privacy. I was able to use this class as a framework when responding to and addressing members’ concerns as a union official to implement multiple arguments and strategies to build a response to a case. Doing so allowed me to communicate my arguments more effectively when presenting them to diverse audiences.
PUBLIC ADDRESS
This course was a fascinating review of what speeches are considered in the realm of public address and why they are so important. Public addresses have been extremely impactful in determining the outcome of politics, laws, public opinion, and shaping the course of world history. I learned in this class to identify the rhetorical strategies that various speakers use and how to employ them for myself in my own speeches. This class taught me to be able to identify and use ethos (the character of a person delivering the speech), pathos (emotional appeal to convince or make the audience feel something), and logos (the use of logic to convince someone) in public addresses. This has been a very productive skill that I have been able to use in a professional capacity when speaking with large groups—such as when trying to persuade members to ratify a tentative contract, or suggest a course of action to the local membership.
COMMUNICATION ETHICS
Communication Ethics introduces the main views and issues of communication ethics in particular to interpersonal communication, public relations, and organizations. I learned in this course that people are driven by various ethical concepts, such as Aristotle’s view that virtuous conduct is wise and mature practical wisdom using good judgment or prudence. I also learned to think ethically as it relates to difficult issues in close relationships at work within my organization and in my everyday personal life. I learned that I had an obligation to do the right thing, at the right time, in the right way. This meant I need to ensure I consider all aspects of my communication and interaction with others and hold myself to a high standard. I learned in this course to think about the consequences and outcomes of a situation and to take the action that creates the most good for the most people. In particular, I was able to examine examples of communication throughout my career and assess my communication ethics and that of others.
ACADEMIC COURSEWORK
Academic Papers Submitted in my career.
MATHENA. V. MALVO, 217 U.S.__ (2018)
After Malvo’s case was complete the United States Supreme Court made decisions that have the potential to impact Malvo’s sentence. Malvo appealed his sentence based upon the finding in Miller v. Alabama, 567 U.S. 460 (2012). In that case the Court said, “Mandatory life sentences...(click here to read more.)
SHELBY COUNTY. V. HOLDER, 570 U.S.__ (2013)
Shelby County v. Holder is a Supreme Court decision that dealt with a specific portion of The Voting Rights Act of 1965. Congress enacted The Voting Rights Act of 1965 to address extreme levels of racial discrimination in voting that was occurring in the Southern states. Shortly after the Civil War, Congress added the fourteenth and fifteenth amendment....(click here to read more)
INOCULATION THEORY, SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE CREATION OF POLITICAL MINDLESSNESS.
Because of the pervasive nature of social media, our country is suffering from the ill effects of the overuse of inoculation theory in political campaigns. The main concept of Inoculation Theory is that a person can be inoculated against arguments that are attempting to move or sway their beliefs. This process is achieved by presenting (click here to read more.)