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APPENDIX
Case 17: “Fair Is Fair,” Isn’t It?
Teaching “FAIR’S FAIR, ISN’T IT?”
This case starts close to home—in an academic setting—and provides a good opportunity for
students to consider the main character’s potential goals, audiences, messages, and communication
media. Thus, as suggested in our notes to Chapter 1, some instructors have found it a convenient,
brief case with which to begin the course.
The questions at the end of the case provide convenient starting points for class discussion. How did
this problem arise? Who is responsible? What should Dean Frederick’s main goal(s) be? What can
Possible first class assignment:
Read the Chapter 1 and Case 19 “Fair’s Fair, Isn’t It?”
1. Applying the seven elements of communication listed on in Chapter 1, analyze how Dean
Bob Frederick might communicate about Ms. Adams’s reprimand. What is his goal? Who
are his potential audiences? What is his relationship with each potential audience? What
contexts should he consider? What message(s) might he send? What media might he use?
Whose feedback should he seek?