Bagging a theory: A random sorting activity for teaching theorizing

Abstract

Courses: Communication Theory; Research Methods; Mass Communication Theory.

Objectives: This activity introduces students to the socially constructed nature of theorizing through having a few students sort a bag of random items in ways of their choice. The class then discusses the categories of sorted items in terms of their properties as theories examining things like, how the theory used affected perceptions of the items and how the theorist affected the qualities of the theory.