COMM 305 tion 1nd Edi Theories of Theories Interpretive Perspectives Outline of Last Lecture No class Outline of Current Lecture 1 Historical Background 2 Metatheory Bingo a Form rich holistic analysis and synthesis b Goal Situated understanding c Commitments Modified nominalist social constructionist subjectivist very leaky faucet or slab leak d Methods Interview observation participation grounded theory e Evaluations 3 Examples Current Lecture Scope the broader the theory the better They want theory that is generalizable They look for transferability He wants to understand things in the particular community He wants things to be particular to others He isn t sure that what he finds at Big Red will be true everywhere He thinks what will people ask when they study any community Emphasize new situated understanding A new context or new case Every situation is unique Both categories post positive and interpretive both want their theories to be heurmonies have meaningful scope If you got involved would you be interfering with the study By your being there you are interfering with the study The goal at the end is a well drawn map The underlying goal is representation The difference is that critical approaches emphasize change Don t just want an accurate map but want to change the territory to what I think my category should be We can t just know things Theories of Theories Critical Approaches Outline 1 Representation vs Change 2 Historical Background 3 Metatheory Bingo a Form Mix focused on power b Goal Revealing power dynamics change COMM 305 tion 1nd Edi c Commitments Social constructionist knowledge as power fire hose d Methods Mix focused on power dynamics and positive change e Evaluation 4 Engaged Research Examples 5 Looking Back on Communication Theories We see things still emphasized today in critical approaches is understanding and revealing power imbalances Helping solve problems Critical research is focused on understanding and on power imbalances They are focused on representation but not just for representation sakes but to solve social problems Situated understanding power on an imbalance Power imbalances add to making change Commitments Ontology Typically social constructionist Duality of structure Epistemology Knowledge serves different interests Axiology Critical scholarship can be modified realist It tends to be a social constructionist view We make reality together If we believe that we can change reality then it means we see the world as socially constructed People make sure that they have a voice in their research The main difference is the axiology difference You see descriptions of power or how power works In the method of study there is some method for change The study itself is an attitude of change For theory to be valid for critical scholars it must help it must solve problems It needs to include an interest in help and power The scope needs to be as simple as necessary to make change It should address social issues COMM 305 tion 1nd Edi Most of what we talked about fits critical approaches The theory making process is itself a formula for change Engaged Applications of Communication Theory CAT helps police officers communicate Wanted people to think of last time with an officer They wanted them to think of how they were accommodating Perceived Accommodation Trust Voluntary Compliance Did the police officer listen take your views into account try to explain things in a way that sat right with you Did they explain in a way that people in general could understand Did they use a lot of police jargoon They asked people to relate the encounter on their trust of police in general They took the results to do training with police The survey wasn t enough They ha a workshop Telling how the police responded was what they were interested in Relational dialects help family farms plan for leadership change Agenda setting theory put to use by the Media Research and Action Project
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