1. Communication Theory How do therapists know how to help People? How do teachers know how to teach? How do coaches know how to win? How do we know how to communicate most effectively?

2. Are Theories Difficult? An invitation to the life of the mind Learning to love knowledge for its own sake Invitation to an ongoing conversation i.e. Kenneth Burke’s Parlor Communication Theory is an idea game

3. Suggestions Stay Positive Maintain a Perspective--Big Picture Find Good Resources Don’t Procrastinate

4. Some Perspectives Fort Peck--Order or Chaos The Elephant and the Blind Researchers What is your perspective? How do you perceive communication?

5. More on Perspectives Communication Theories describe and/or explain. Do they predict? Eastern vs. Western perspectives-- Wholeness and unity vs. analytical reductionism; spirituality vs. individual purpose; non-speech vs. speech/language Study of Communication is diverse, eclectic, and multidisciplinary today.

6. Three Types of Scholarship Science--objectivity Humanities--subjectivity Social Science--blends the two

7. Three Approaches to Knowledge Knowing by discovery--search for objectivity Knowing by interpreting--construction of meaning Knowing by criticism--application of values and judgements to what is observed or experienced

8. Five Genres of Communication Theories Structural/Functional--assumes that reality is ordered Cognitive/Behavioral--mechanisms of the mind Interactional/Conventional--social life Interpretative--meaning and language Critical Theories--domination/oppression

9. Four Levels or Contexts of Inquiry Interpersonal Group Organizational Mass

10. Ten General Theories We will look at ten general theories that may apply to all the categories They are core theories and apply to any context

11. So, Welcome to the Adventure of the Mind called Theory The Farmer and the “object in the field” Which explanations do you most often turn to?