In this article we use the results of Green and Naghdi Proc. Roy. Soc. London A, vol. 432, pp. 171-194, 1991 and vol. 357, pp. 253-270, 1977 and J. Elasticity, vol. 31, pp. 189-209, 1993] to establish a theory of micropolar thermoelasticity that permits propagation of thermal waves at a finite speed. A solution of Galerkin type for homogeneous and isotropic bodies is also established. This solution is used to study the effect of a concentrated heat source. The continuous dependence of the solution with respect to body loads and initial data is finally studied.