I. Introduction

        A. Why study Communication Theory?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

        B. A brief history of the field.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

        C. Communication today
 
 

        A. Communication defined.

• level of observation
• intention
• judgment

        B. Theory defined.

    III. The Process of Inquiry.
 
 

        A. The traditional ideal: major concepts & Figure 2.1
 
 

            1) hypothesis
 
 
 
 

            2) operationalism (measurement, validity, reliability)
 
 
 
 

            3) control and manipulation
 
 
 
 

            4) covering law
 
 
 
 

            5) prediction
 
 
 
 

        B. The production of knowledge

            1) patterns of inquiry are based on assumptions regarding:

                    *epistemology (worldview I vs. II)
 
 

                    * ontology (actional vs. non-actional theories)
 
 
 
 

                    * axiology (value conscious vs. value neutral theories)
 
 
 
 

        C. Schools of inquiry/types of scholarship

            1) science
 
 

            2) humanities
 
 

            3) social science
 
 

        D. Theoretical development
 

            1) extension
 
 
 

            2) intension
 
 
 

            3) revolution
 
 

       Case Exercise: Developing a Theory

          Model Answer to Case Exercise
 
 

    VI. Evaluating Communication Theory
 
 

        A. Scope
 
 

        B. Appropriateness
 
 

        C. Heuristic value
 
 

        D. Validity
 
 

        E. Parsimony