COMM 2102 Lecture Notes - Industrial Society, Hypodermic Needle, Second-Wave Feminism

• School: Carleton University
• Department: Communication Studies
• Course: COMM 2102
• Professor: all

Document Summary

Introduction to the theories/theoretical frameworks on which communication research and scholarship is based: understand the context in which these theories emerged and changed and how they help us understand communication. Theories provide us an explanation of why things happen the way they do. Theory helps us understand our world and society. Helps us find ways to better our society. Uncovers hidden processes and practices by showing how they are connected to everyday actions and views. Know these for every theory: what is it seeking to explain? (its purpose, when/why it emerged, key theorists, key concepts, how those concepts are applied to explain aspects of communication. Theory is: an idea or set of ideas that is intended to explain something (collins 1987, 1515) Empirically (doing experiments) and analytically (philosophical) tested explanation of how or why things happen the way they do. Goals of theory: describe, explain, predict or understand, reform or to change.