There is a party for the new communication majors. Dianna (a junior comms major) and a dozen old and new students are at a professor's house and people are still arriving. Ken just walks into the room.

Dianna: Wow, who's that? (she points toward Ken).

Angie: Oh, that's Ken, he's a double major-- comms and advertising. He's been around. I can't believe you've never seen him.

Dianna: He kind of looks like Johnny Depp. I love that scruffy look.

Angie: Dianna, aren't you dating Peter?

Dianna: No, we decided we should see other people.

Angie: Ok, I'll introduce you.

Angie: Hi Ken,

Ken: Hi Angie, how are the plans for the comm club coming along?

Angie: Oh, I need to talk to you about that next week. Hey, this is Dianna, she's a junior comms major.

Ken: Hi Dianna, (he smiles and shakes her hand) it's REALLY nice to meet you. Angie says you really did well in the rhet crit class last year. I'm taking it so now I know who to call when I get lost.

Dianna: Oh, it's really not that hard. You just have to read. The only part I had trouble with was the ideological criticism. Make sure you don't miss anything the first day. Take really good notes because it all goes back to that.

Ken: Well, thanks for the tip. You sound like you really know what you're talking about. I guess we won't have any classes together because I'm just starting. I really would like to find someone to study with. I do so much better when I work with someone else.

Dianna: Lots of students do have study groups. Dr. Gold really pushes that in her classes.

Ken: I have her for political communication.

Dianna: You'll love it-- she's really funny and easy to get along with too. You can probably join up with some students in that class who will be in your others.

Ken: Hey, that's a good idea. Listen, I promised I'd help Angie with the refreshments so I'd better go.

Dianna: I'm sure we'll see each other on campus. I'll check in on you the second week of school. Ok?

Ken: OK!

Ken and Diana Discussion

Respond to a couple of the following questions in your initial post.

1. Which reason(s) do Ken and Dianna have for choosing each other for a relationship?

2. Which needs seem to be being met for Ken and Dianna?

3. Is the relationship one of circumstances or choice? Why?

4. Consider the dimensions of trust, intimacy, and power. Are any of these at play in this dialog?

5. Are there any relational dimensions to the messages sent between Ken and Dianna and Angie and Dianna?

6. How is this relationship defined by Ken? By Dianna?

In subsequent posts, respond to what others have to say about these questions.