A teacher of educational theory delivers an educational foundations course on sociocultural concerns in education. In this course, teaching is presented as an orientation to the world and a moral enterprise because it intervenes in people's lives. Students typically fear theory classes because they do not want to appear foolish or because theoretical discourse is alienating in its vocabulary or apparently lacking relevance. However, theory cannot be regarded as a merely academic issue. Teaching through dialog is a necessity to ensure the engagement of students in learning and in the exchange of ideas. A research-project form is provided as a model for students to use in asking questions, posing problems, and describing, interpreting, and evaluating their data. (Contains 6 references.) (SLD)