This discussion should be 2-3 paragraphs in length.

This discussion should be 2-3 paragraphs in length.

Go back to Chapters 4 (Knowing What We Already Know: The Process of Background Research) and 5 (Knowing What We Think We Know: Theorizing as a Way of Knowing).

In the first paragraph, discuss the relationship between theorizing new knowledge and the need to do research on past scholarship in order to generate those new ideas. In other words, what process does the communication researcher need to do in order to conduct research on any given topic within the field? Pay particular attention to pages 48-52 for the background research part.

Then, once you’ve explained the process in a general sense, take 1-2 paragraphs to discuss a specific area of communication that interests you. Use concepts that have been studied in the past, but then talk about how you might go about theorizing new avenues or areas within that concept. For instance, maybe you are interested in relational dialectic theory, expectancy violation theory, or even identification (Burke’s rhetorical theory). Discuss the general concept, then tell me how you might go on to study new aspects of the theory, perhaps based on your own experiences or observations. Feel free to cite any sources necessary, including the textbook.