To broaden your understanding of the chapter, consider the following assignments related to the Internet.

1. The chapter includes a discussion on ethics. The National Communication Association (www.natcom.org) has established a "Credo for Communication Ethics" on its website. Examine the particulars of the credo and consider reasons why such a doctrine is necessary in higher education. Explore some additional suggestions for ethical communication not articulated in the document.

2. The dark side of communication pertains to the negative communication that can take place in relationships. We include this topic in the chapter because we, like others in the communication field, believe you should realize that not all communication is affirmative and constructive. It is a relational fact of life that people can be mistrusting, verbally aggressive, and even rude. At the same time, we also understand that many people do not acknowledge the "dark" nature of communicators. Look for a website that focuses on dating (www.cupid.com, for example) and explore the ad content for language reflecting the dark side of communication. In addition, examine websites of local newspapers with online personal ads for similar dark communication.