WT Ch. 1
Review & Discussion
How does theory help us understand human behavior and/or give us a new way to think about society?
What is the value of looking at communication theory from so many different disciplinary angles?
What are some current ethical dilemmas related to communication? How does our path to majoring in communication and studying communication theory help resolve those dilemmas?
What are the communication dilemmas driving your career decisions or next steps?
WT Ch. 2
Review & Discussion
Which of the seven traditions in the communication field most appeals to you? Why?
Which context of communication most appeals to you? Why?
Think about how you see the world. What are your values, beliefs, worldviews and how do these traditions and contexts drive how you see and theorize about the world? And vice-versa?
Part 2: Implicit Theorizing & WT Ch. 3 (500 words)
First, let’s engage in some theoretical thinking – implicit theorizing…
List some communication problems you are passionate about or communication questions that perplex you?
How have you made sense of these or solved these problems either informally or formally through communication concepts and theories?
Remember:
Some researchers begin with theory – theory-then-research
Some researchers begin with research – researchers-then-theory
Review & Discussion:
How do you think theory can help us understand the communication problems and dilemmas you identified being passionate about?
In which context is this problem or dilemma situation?
How do a researcher’s beliefs about the world impact the research process or the ways in which you perceive this problem or dilemma?
How would researching this problem or dilemma from different paradigms impact the focus of the research (the problem or dilemma)?
Do you see communication behavior as lawlike, like a system, rule-governed, or other? Explain why?
Based on all of your answers above and identifying communication problems or dilemmas YOU are passionate about, what is something you are up to creating in the world using your communication studies background – something that really lights you up or inspires you! This doesn’t have to be a big complex problem, nor does it even have to be career related (but it can be). It can be something in your own personal relationships or with your family.
