1. Chapter 3 Paradigms and Communication Theory

2. Paradigms and Communication Theory
Paradigm Shift (see discussion of Kuhn, Ch. 2)
Paradigm:
Metatheory:
Theoretical Perspective
Paradigm
Paradigm
Paradigm
Theory Type
Theory Type
Theory Type
Theory
Theory
Theory

3. Metatheoretical Assumptions
Ontology
Nature of reality
Human nature, etc.
Epistemology
How is knowledge gained
How does knowledge “accumulate” etc.
Axiology

4. The Subjective-Objective Dimension
Ontology/
Epistemology
Subjective
Objective
(Source: Burrell and Morgan, 1979: 3)

6. The Subjective-Objective Dimension
The subjectivist approach to
social science
The objectivist approach to
social science
Nominalism
Realism
ontology
Voluntarism
Determinism
human nature
Anti-positivism
Positivism
epistemology
Ideographic
Nomothetic
methodology
(Source: Burrell and Morgan, 1979: 3)

7. Scientific key words CauseEffect, influence, affect, lead to
Factors, variables
Predict
Generalizable
Analytic/reductionistic
Quantitative (or qualitative)

8. Humanistic key words Contextual Interpretive Social construction
Holistic
Subjective
Qualitative (usually)

9. The Social Change/Status Quo Dimension
Radical Social Change
Axiology
Regulation/Status Quo/Observation
(Source: Burrell and Morgan, 1979: 3)

10. Critical key words Power (struggles, etc.)
Production and reproduction of social structures (like sexism, racism, classism)
Empowerment, emancipation, resistence
Social relations
Ideology, hegemony
Social change
Qualitative or quantitative

11. Four Paradigms for Social Analysis
THE SOCIOLOGY OF RADICAL CHANGE
‘Radical
humanist’
‘Radical
structuralist’
SUBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
‘Interpretive’
‘Functionalist’
THE SOCIOLOGY OF REGULATION
(Source: Burrell and Morgan, 1979: 22)

12. But usually only 3 in communication!
RADICAL CHANGE
CRITICAL: Social change
SUBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
HUMANISTIC: Observe/ Interpret
SCIENTIFIC: Predict/ Control
(Source: Burrell and Morgan, 1979: 22)
REGULATION

13. Building Communication Theory Chapter 3

14. Two debates in “Communication”
1977: Laws, Rules Systems
1983: Scientific, Humanistic, Critical
Today’s debates?
What would you find at a communication conference today?
What do you find in the School of Communication at Illinios State University?

15. BREAK

16. Perspectives in QL Comm
Phenomenology
Sociocultural tradition
Ethnomethodology
Symbolic Interactionism
Social Constructivism
Ethnography of Communication
Structuration Theory
Actor Network Theory

17. Perspectives in QL Comm
Critical Tradition
Modernism/Postmodernism
Feminism
Postcolonial theory
Critical race theory/Orientalism/Whiteness
Cultural Studies

18. “8 Moments”… (Denzin & Lincoln, 2008, pp. 3 ff.)
Traditional ( )
Modernist (Golden Age) ( )
Naïve realism
Blurred genres ( )
Crisis of representation ( )

19. “8 Moments”… (Denzin & Lincoln, 2008, pp. 3 ff.)
The postmodern ( )
Post-experimental inquiry ( )
Methodologically contested present ( )
Fractured future (2005)