American Tongues by
A documentary about the way people talk in the United States. Portrays some of the regional, social, and ethnic differences in American speech, and the attitudes that people have about these differences.
Argumentation by
Lectures by Dr. David Zarefsky, Professor of Argumentation and Debate and Professor of Communication Studies, Northwestern University, cover the history of rhetoric and debate as well as analysis of different types of arguments in various situations.
The Art of Listening by
Uses family and workplace situations to teach good listening techniques. Illustrates the surprising value of silence, the need to find something of interest in the person speaking, and the importance of staying out of the speaker's way. Emphasizes the role of body language in listening, and the need to "listen between the words" for feelings. Shows how to improve communication through a series of eye-opening cross-cultural situations and teaches business etiquette by showing how to make and acknowledge introductions, the hidden message of the handshake, cubicle courtesy, and electronic etiquette.
The Big One by
A behind-the-scenes video diary of the promotional tour for Moore's book "Downsize this!" He appears at several chain bookstores throughout the nation, signing autographs and delivering wicked political commentary to audiences. Along the way, he stops at various small-town parking lots and malls, gathering brief interviews with assorted Americans. Moore makes several cleverly unexpected visits to people in powerful positions. In Centralia, IL, Moore visits a company who plans to move their factories to Mexico, resulting in massive layoffs. Finally, Nike CEO Phil Knight grants Moore some dialogue.
A Fragile Trust: Plagiarism, Power, and Jayson Blair at the New York Times by
A FRAGILE TRUST tells the shocking story of Jayson Blair, the most infamous serial plagiarist of our time, and how he unleashed the massive scandal that rocked the New York Times and the entire world of journalism. In 2003 Blair was caught plagiarizing and supplementing his own reporting with fabricated details in dozens of stories published in the Times. The daily operations of the Times newsroom became a public spectacle as every major news outlet picked up the story and ran with it. The fact that Blair is African-American was emphasized again and again as accounts of the 'Blair Affair' served up sordid details in a soap-opera style tale of deception, drug abuse, racism, mental illness, hierarchy, white guilt, and power struggles inside the hallowed halls of the New York Times. Through the course of the film, we follow Blair as he slowly unravels in the face of mounting pressures and distractions. Starting with his 'reporting' of the plagiarized article that ultimately lead to his undoing, we trace the rise and fall of this fascinating young reporter as he clings to his career at the Times even as he is losing his mind. Featuring exclusive interviews with everyone involved, including former Executive Editor Howell Raines and Blair himself, A FRAGILE TRUST is the first film to tell the whole sordid story of the scandal while exploring deeper themes of power, ethics, and responsibility in the mainstream media.
Language & Mind by
Video presentation of Noam Chomsky's seminal work in the area of language and mind, and of the development of his theory of generative grammar.
Listening is an Act of Love by
The first-ever animated feature from StoryCorps celebrates the transformative power of listening. Presents stories from ten years of the innovative oral history project, where everyday people sit down together to ask life's important questions and share stories from their lives.
News War by
Secrets, Sources & Spin Part 1 examines the political and legal forces challenging the mainstream news media today and press reactions. The film looks at the debates over the role of journalism; the relationship between the Bush administration and the press; the controversies surrounding the use of anonymous sources in reporting; and the unintended consequences of the Valerie Plame investigation -- a confusing, ugly affair that ultimately damaged the legal protections reporters' thought they enjoyed under the First Amendment. Part 2 continues with the legal jeopardy faced by a number of reporters across the country, and the complications generated by the war on terror. Many reporters face jail for refusing to reveal sources in the context of leak investigations, while editors of the nation's leading newspapers now confront the question of how much can the press reveal about secret government programs in that war without jeopardizing national security? In What's Happening to the News (Pt. 3), network executives, journalists, Wall Street analysts, bloggers, and key players at Google and Yahoo! explain the battle for survival in a rapidly changing world. The embattled Los Angeles Times, one of the last remaining papers in the country still covering major national stories, is profiled. The Frontline/World (4th) segment focuses on two stories. The first is on new Arab media and its role in both mitigating and exacerbating the clash between the West and Islam. Al Jazeera has changed the face of a parochial and tightly controlled Arab media, and this hour explores Al Jazeera's growing influence around the world. The second is a video essay on journalists worldwide, which details how in many countries the press has been suppressed, and journalists have been jailed, exiled, and murdered.
Nonverbal Communication and Culture by
This program examines nonverbal communication in different cultures. It looks at personal space; body language including gestures, inflection, eye contact, smiling and other facial expressions; and posture. It demonstrates how the same gesture can be interpreted in different ways.
Outfoxed: Rupert Murdock's War on Journalism by
Examines Rupert Murdoch's Fox News media empire and the dangers inherent in large corporations controlling the publics right to know. Includes interviews with former Fox News employees and media experts.
Positioning: How Advertising Shapes Perception by
Uses ideas from advertising, psychology, and mass communication to explore methods marketers use to shape consumer perception.
Secrets of Body Language by
Examines political icons from President Franklin D. Roosevelt to 2008 presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain. Shows how politicians and celebrities use subtle body language to persuade masses; establish power; and advance careers.
The secrets of successful speech making by
"Developed in 1999, IMproSolutions will give you the tools and knowledge you need to overcome your fear of public speaking and make a persuasive speech. We realize that stage fright and making a speech is the number one fear among adults and we are here to help! Headquartered in Hollywood, CA, the company was founded by 3 time Emmy nominee and public speaking expert Scott Topper. With over two decades of public speaking, improv, and acting experience, Mr. Topper will walk you through the basics of improvising and public speaking with this Interactive home study public speaking confidence program."--Publisher's website
