Theorizing Communication : Readings Across Traditions

by Robert T. Craig

• ISBN13: 9781412952378
• ISBN10: 1412952379
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-04-05
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

Theorizing Communication: Readings Across Traditions is the first collection of primary-source readings built around seven traditions of communication theorya?? rhetorical, semiotic, phenomenological, cybernetic, sociopsychological, sociocultural, and critical.. The selected readings illustrate the history of each tradition and current trends. Enhancing the readings are introductory essays and sets of projects for theorizing through which the editors highlight contemporary interpretations, new directions, and/or hybrid approaches to studying communication theory. Key Features: Includes key primary source readings that have helped to define the field of Communication Theory: This collection of readings is not available elsewhere and frees instructors from having to design their own course packs. Offers a comprehensive view of communication theory by not limiting content to a single approach: This book is the first collection of readings on communication theory based on Robert T. Craiga??s seven traditions of communication theory. Provides much more than just readings: Original introductions help to explain, locate, and explore complexities surrounding each of the readings. The concluding chapter suggests future directions for the field. Allows students to engage and interact with each tradition: Each unit ends with suggested future readings as well as projects to help students apply and extend the unita??s key ideas. Intended Audience: This volume is designed for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in communication theory. It can be used as a stand-alone text or in conjunction with other books.

Table of Contents

Introduction - Heidi L. Muller and Robert T. Craig

Historical and Cultural Sources of Communication Theory

Introduction to Unit I

Metaphors Concerning Speech in Homer

The Spiritualist Tradition

The Invention of Communication

A Cultural Approach to Communication

Projects for Theorizing the Historical and Cultural Sources of Communication Theory

Metatheory: Communication Theory as a Field

Introduction to Unit II

Communication Theory as a Field

Projects for Metatheorizing

The Rhetorical Tradition

Introduction to Unit III

Gorgias

Rhetoric

A Rhetoric of Motives

Beyond Persuasion: A Proposal for an Invitational Rhetoric

Projects for Rhetorical Theorizing

The Semiotic Tradition

Introduction to Unit IV

The Abuse of Words

What Is a Sign?

The Object of Linguistics

The Photographic Message

Communication With Aliens

Projects for Semiotic Theorizing

The Phenomenological Tradition

Introduction to Unit V

The Problem of Experiencing Someone Else

Dialogue

The Hermeneutical Experience

Deconstructing Communication

The Cybernetic Tradition

Introduction to Unit VI

Cybernetics in History

Some Tentative Axioms of Communication

The Limited Capacity Model of Mediated Message Processing

What Is Communication?

Projects for Cybernetic Theorizing

The Sociopsychological Tradition

Introduction to Unit VII

Social Communication

Some Explorations in Initial Interaction and Beyond

Social Cognitive Theory of Mass Communication

The Small Group Should Be the Fundamental Unit of Communication Research

Projects for Sociopsychological Theorizing

The Sociocultural Tradition

Introduction to Unit VIII

The Social Foundations and Functions of Thought and Communication

The Mode of Information and Postmodernity

Communication as the Modality of Structuration

Good to Talk?

Projects for Sociocultural Theorizing

The Critical Tradition

Introduction to Unit IX

The German Ideology

The Culture Industry: Enlightenment as Mass Deception

Truth and Society: The Discursive Redemption of Factual Claims to Validity

Systematically Distorted Communication and Discursive Closure

Paris Iis Always More Than Paris

Projects for Critical Theorizing

Concluding Reflections

Index

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