LOVE: Economics or Commitment?

I've had discussions with quite a few students in several of my classes who believe that Social Exchange Theory is a good way in which to evaluate romantic relationships. In brief, SET characterizes relationships from an economic perspective in terms of "investment" and "reward". In teaching this theory over the past ten years, it appears to me that people are increasingly evaluating their romantic relationships by this economic model, that is, in terms of "cost" vs. "reward". Is this a viable way to evaluate our most significant relationships. Indeed, as communicators, is it even ethical?  Moreover, how does "commitment" play a part in romantic relationships today?  What do you think?

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Finding Communication and Mass Media Research Articles on the Internet

Good link for students and faculty doing research in communication studies. Ohio University has a wonderful Comm Blog at http://www.library.ohiou.edu/subjects/commblog/?p=796.  The site offers access to scholarly articles and other research tools, including videos, and an online librarian who can help students and faculty gain access to the databases. I immediately added this site to my End Note reference library as well as to my Fast Dial on Google Chrome.

Social Networking Can Get You in Trouble at Work!

Can social networking sites such as Facebook, My Space, Buzz, and others, really put your job in jeopardy?  Indeed they can! Read the case of a Pennsylvania university professor who shared her "private thoughts" on Facebook and is now suspended from her job and could be denied tenure:  http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/03/02/facebook. According to a human resources expert cited in the article, employees are an extension of their company's brand and therefore, subject to suspension and possible unemployment for the comments we post on social networking and blog sites. Although this phenomenon isn't new (we have all read similar stories before), it continues to be a striking reminder that even the most mundane comments we post to social networking sites can far-reaching effects that go well beyond our initial intention to keep in touch with those closest to us.