The Open Communication Journal

2008, 2 : 60-66
Published online 2008 July 09. DOI: 10.2174/1874916X00802010060
Publisher ID: TOCOMMJ-2-60

‘Working Backwards Makes you Think!’ Constructing and Presenting Case Studies to Understand Methodology and Theory in a Communication Masters Course

Jane Hiscock
University of South Australia, School of Communication, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia.

ABSTRACT

This paper analyses student construction of case studies, using dialogue and role plays, to stimulate and consolidate understand of organization communication research , theory and methodology. Students undertaking a course as part of a Masters program in communication management need to absorb a range of organizational research perspectives and organizational communication theories. Making the theorists and methodological perspectives ‘about you’ is one way of stimulating interest and engagement with demanding and complex concepts. Student response to the case study construction and some dialogue examples are included.

Keywords:

Experiential learning, case studies, communication theories.