Interpretive Interactionism

Rating:
Summary: Insightful & Analytical
Review: For years I've taught about the importance of context in communication, but no one makes the case for its importance any clearer than Denzin. He uses violence to drive his point home. Violence has no meaning in isolation. In somekind of context, the meaning changes. There is violence in war, violence as revenge, violence committed randomly. Context frames understanding. Isolation keeps it ambiguous.

Largely this book is about methodology. It helps scholars interpret data once its been collected. In fact, data collection is filled with meaning-making choices. Denzin goes beyond methodology, however and gives insight into larger issues. He frames his discussion well. There's a lot to mentally digest in this book.