Communication Theory: Writing Assignment 1 - Metatheory Scholarship

This assignment requires a comprehensive analysis of the metatheoretical differences between social scientific and humanistic approaches to communication. The student is tasked with completing a detailed table comparing and contrasting these two perspectives across ontological, epistemological, and axiological assumptions. Specifically, the assignment explores how each approach views the nature of communication, the basis of knowledge, and the role of values in research. Following the table, the student must answer questions regarding how the goals, explanations, and methods of communication theory differ between the social/empirical scientist and the humanist. The assignment emphasizes understanding the fundamental differences in how these two schools of thought approach the study of communication and how these differences influence their research and theoretical frameworks. The grading rubric emphasizes thorough understanding, complete answers, and the use of examples from course materials to support claims.

Writing Assignment 1
Metatheory: The Difference Between Social Scientific Scholarship and Humanistic Scholarship
100 points
Directions: Please complete the table and then answer the questions that follow.
Social Scientist/Empirical Scientist Humanist
Ontological Assumptions
-What are each of the theorist’s
assumptions about how
communication functions in the real
world? What constitutes
communication to each of them?
In other words, how would the two
types of theorists answer the three
ontological questions?
1. Is communication a matter
of choice?
2. Is communication an
individual or social
endeavor?
3. Is communication
contextualized (i.e., does the
context matter)?
Epistemological Assumptions
-What counts as knowledge for each
of the theorists?
- How does each theorist learn about
communication?
In other words, how would the two
types of theorists answer the four
epistemological questions?
1. Can knowledge exist before
experience?
2. Can knowledge be certain?
3. By what process does
knowledge arise?
4. Is knowledge best conceived
in parts or in wholes?
Axiological Assumptions
-What are the assumptions regarding
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Social Scientist/Empirical Scientist Humanist
the role of values in one’s theories
and research?
In other words, how would the two
types of theorists answer the three
axiological questions?
1. Is research value free?
2. Does the process of inquiry
affect that which is studied?
3. Should theory and research
attempt to achieve social
change?
Questions
Given the table you just completed, how do you think the social/empirical scientist’s and the humanist’s theories of
communication will differ? Specifically:
(a) How would their goals of theory differ?
(b) How would their explanations differ?
(c) How would they differ in the methods used to test their theories?
NOTE: Please find the grading rubric for this assignment on the following page.
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GRADING RUBRIC FOR WRITING ASSIGMENTS
The following rubric will be used to grade your assignment:
90 to 100 points 80 to 89 points 70 to 79 points 50 to 69 points 0 points
The student
demonstrates a
thorough
understanding (i.e.,
mastery) of the class
concepts covered in
the assignment. The
student answers all
questions on the
assignment; the
student’s answers are
complete, correct,
and appropriate for
the questions.
Arguments are
convincing, and the
student supports
his/her points using
examples from the
readings, lectures,
and/or material
provided for the
assignment (e.g., the
student backs up his
or her claims with
direct quotes from a
speech).
The student demonstrates a
solid understanding of the class
concepts covered in the
assignment. The student
answers all questions on the
assignment; the student’s
answers are complete,
generally correct, and
appropriate for the question.
Arguments are generally
convincing and the student
uses a number of examples and
quotes to support his/her
claims, but his/her response is
sometimes generic. Most
supporting evidence comes
from the readings, lectures,
and/or materials provided for
the assignment (e.g., the
student backs up his or her
claims with direct quotes from
a speech).
The student demonstrates an
adequate understanding of
the class concepts covered in
the assignment. The student
answers all questions on the
assignment; the student’s
answers are complete, but
the answers are sporadically
correct and not always
appropriate for the question.
Arguments are not
convincing and the student
uses insufficient or general
evidence to support his/her
claims. Little supporting
evidence comes from the
readings, lectures, and/or
materials provided for the
assignment.
The student does not
demonstrate and adequate
understanding of the class
concept covered in the
assignment. The student does
not answer all the questions
asked or the student’s
answers are incomplete. The
student’s answers are not
appropriate for the question,
are too vague, too short, or
otherwise ineffective at
demonstrating understanding
or engagement with course
material. Little to no
supporting material from the
readings, lectures, and/or
materials provided for the
assignment is provided.
Student
does not
turn in
assignment.
Please submit Writing Assignment 1 in your individual Assignments Folder by the due dates indicated in the course
schedule.
Please Note: Writing Assignments must be submitted as an MS Word file. Please name your file “Your Last
Name_Writing Assignment 1” (e.g., Hubbard_Writing Assignment 1).
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