Chapter 2 discussion
enla
CommTheoryCh2.pptx
COMM 2713
Communication Theory
COMM 2713
Communication Theory
Today’s Agenda:
Ch1 & HW
Objectivism vs Interpretivism
Ways of knowing
Why it is important?
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Objective_______Interpretive
Soc. scientists Interpretivists
MISCONCEPTION: There is a single theory that all scientists follow
There is not one communication theory, but…
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clearly differ in starting point,
method, and conclusion
Objective_______Interpretive
Truth is singular multiple meanings
unbiased sensory observation subjective truths
cause-effect relationships assign value and meaning to texts
empirical evidence
emancipation
empowerment
I had to; I decided to
In order to; So that
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Soc. scientists ______Interpretivists
Behaviorists Rhetoricians
Humanists
Postmodernists
Critical Scholars
Etc.
Some more labels!
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Why? We can’t fully understand communication theories if we don’t know…
The ways we arrive at knowledge
The core of human nature
Questions of value
The purpose and methods of research
…these metatheoretical assumptions
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Determinism – what
determines (predicts) one’s
behavior: environment
or free will?
S: Truth is singular
I: socially constructed
through communication
Epistemology – study of the origin, nature, method, and limits of knowledge. What is truth?
S: the forces
I: free will & individual choice
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Value
Social scientists place high value on objectivity that is not biased by ideological commitments > Empirical Evidence
Interpretive scholars believe that ability to choose separates humanity from the rest of creation, and value scholarship that expands free choice (emancipation)
Deetz frames the issue somewhat differently: every general communication theory has two priorities – effectiveness and participation
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Theories can be plotted on a continuum of Objective to Interpretive; however, not all theories fit neatly into one category or the other.
Behavioral Scientists pin down universal laws of human behavior that cover a variety of situations
Hunches about how the the world works > Hypotheses > Test & Test
Rhetoricians strive to interpret a particular communication text in a specific context
No theory testing: theory tells what to look for, what to make of it, etc.
What’s your view of human nature?
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HW:
Daily discussion post about Ch 2 (Modules or Discussions Tab on Canvas)
Chapter 3: Judging theories & Criteria
Theory Application (Fri, 5/15 @ 11:59 pm)
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What questions do you have for me?
What learning techniques work best for you?
Maria Shpeer
email: [email protected]
Office hours: MW 12-1
or by appointment
