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COMM 3180-01 Communication& Social Behavior

COMM 3180-01 Communication& Social Behavior. May 18, 2005 Social Construction: The Basics. To Begin: A Few Examples. Balls and Strikes: The Social Construction of Baseball Daisies or Dandelions: The Social Construction of Weeds Firewood or Band-aid?: The Social Construction of Science.

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COMM 3180-01 Communication& Social Behavior

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  1. COMM 3180-01Communication& Social Behavior May 18, 2005 Social Construction: The Basics

  2. To Begin: A Few Examples • Balls and Strikes: The Social Construction of Baseball • Daisies or Dandelions: The Social Construction of Weeds • Firewood or Band-aid?: The Social Construction of Science

  3. Ontology The study of reality What exists, independent of: How we come to know about it How we think, feel, or talk about it Epistemology The study of knowledge How we come to know what exists (positivism), or: What exists, as “created” through: How we come to know about it How we think, feel, or talk about it What Is Real? How Do We Know?

  4. A “Hard” Version An ontological view of social construction “Reality” is created through communication There is no “reality” independent of communication Example: Baudrillard’s claim that there “was no Gulf War” A “Soft” Version An epistemological view of social construction “Reality” is understood through communication “Reality” is only meaningful through communication Example: Berger and Luckman’s The Social Construction of Knowledge Social Construction: Two Views

  5. What They Share In Common: A “Family Resemblance” (Burr, Ch. 1) • A critical stance to taken-for-granted knowledge: Questioning categories • Historical and cultural specificity • Knowledge is sustained by social processes • Knowledge and action are inextricably linked

  6. Three Important Themes:Anti-Essentialism, Relativity, Language • Essentialism and Anti-Essentialism • Truth and Relativity • Language: Two Notes • Language is a precondition for thought • Language is a form of action

  7. Why Social Construction?Burr, Chapter Two • What is Burr’s argument for the social construction of personality? What it your reaction? • What is Burr’s argument for the social construction of health/illness? What it your reaction? • What is Burr’s argument for the social construction of sexuality? What it your reaction?

  8. Allen, “Social Constructionism”Questions • What does Allen identify as some critiques of the social construction perspective? • How does Allen see her identity and career as shaped by the process of social construction? • Do you see similarities between Allen’s narrative and the process by which your identity/career have developed?

  9. For Monday: • Groups will be assigned: You’ll need to begin working on group contract immediately! • Read Burr, Chapters 3 & 4

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