COMM 6440

Grounded Practical Theory

Robert T. Craig, University of Colorado at Boulder

Fall 2011 Course Description

COMM 6440-001

Thursday 3:30-6:00pm, 77 Hellems

Grounded practical theory (GPT) refers to a range of concepts and methods for investigating and normatively theorizing communicative practices. The seminar will explore GPT through background readings and individual research projects. Readings will include units on practical theory and GPT methodology with applications to discourse analysis of social interaction (Craig, Tracy, Aakhus, et al.), theories of social practice (Schatzki, Bourdieu, Rouse, Turner, et al.), cultural-historical activity theory (Engestrom, et al.), and communities of practice (Wenger). For the semester project, the student will collect samples of discourse (consisting of public documents, media texts, ethnographic field notes, and/or recordings of social interaction) from any field of social practice of interest to the student. Writing assignments will include short papers exploring the application of unit readings to the student’s chosen field of social practice and a major paper applying a selected analytical approach in depth.

COMM 6440 is open to all graduate students and will apply toward the Graduate Certificate Program in Culture, Language, and Social Practice (CLASP: http://www.colorado.edu/clasp/)

Fall 2011 Syllabus

Fall 2011 books ordered through the CU Bookstore (all other readings will be available electronically):

	Bourdieu, P. (1998). Practical reason: On the theory of action. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
	Engeström, Y., Miettinen, R., & Punamäki, R.-L. (Eds.). (1999). Perspectives on activity theory. New York: Cambridge University Press.
	Schatzki, T. R., Knorr Cetina, K., & Von Savigny, E. (Eds.). (2001). The practice turn in contemporary theory. London: Routledge.
	Wenger, E. (1998). Communities of practice: Learning, meaning, and identity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Selected Bibliography on Grounded Practical Theory (PDF)

Updated July 27, 2011