Thinking Through Communication

by Trenholm, Sarah

• ISBN13: 9780205688098
• ISBN10: 0205688098
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-01-04
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

Praised for its #x1C;teachability,#x1D; Thinking Through Communicationprovides an excellent, balanced introduction to basic theories and principles of communication, making sense of a complex field through a variety of approaches. #xA0; In an organized and coherent manner, Thinking Through Communicationcovers a full range of topics#x13;from the history of communication study to the methods used by current communication scholars to understand human interaction. The book explores face-to-face communication in a variety of traditional contexts: interpersonal, group, organizational, public, intercultural, computer-mediated communication and the mass media Written in a clear, lively style, Trenholm's overall approach-including her use of examples and interesting illustrations-helps develop a better understanding of communication as a field of study and an appreciation for ways in which communication impacts our daily lives.

Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION

 

1. The Communication Tradition

A Brief History of Communication Study

Communication Today: Contemporary Departments of Rhetoric and Communication Theory

 

2. Definitions, Models, and Perspectives

Defining Communication

How Models Help Us Understand Communication

It All Depends on Your Point of View: Four Perspectives

What to Look for When You Look at Communication

 

II. LISTENING AND LANGUAGE

 

3. Decoding Messages: Listening and Perception

What Is Listening?

The Listening Process

Designing Messages That Are Easy to Listen to

 

4. Encoding Messages: Spoken Language

What is Language

The Subsystems of Language

Pragmatic Styles and Structures

Language and Social Identity

Language Choices and Pragmatic Effects

 

5. Encoding Messages: Nonverbal Communication

What Is Nonverbal Communication?

The Nonverbal Codes

Increasing Nonverbal Skills

 

III. COMMUNICATION CONTEXTS

 

6. Interpersonal Communication

What Is Interpersonal Communication?

Managing Interpersonal Communication

Relational Development: Stages in Intimate Dyads

Increasing Relational Skills

Understanding Mediated Relationships

Becoming a More Responsible Communicator

 

7. Group Communication

What Is a Group?

Managing Group Communication

Group Development: Phases in Problem-Solving Groups

Strengthening Group Discussion Skills

Communicating in Virtual Groups

Becoming a More Responsible Communicator

 

8. Organizational Communication

What is an Organization?

Managing Organizational Communication

Increasing Organizational Skills

Using Organizational Technology

Becoming a More Responsible Communicator

 

9. Public Communication

What Is Public Communication?

Why is Public Communication Important?

Evaluating Public Communication

Strengthening Critical Reception Skills

Becoming a More Responsible Communicator

 

10. Preparing and Presenting Public Speeches

What is a Public Speech?

Planning the Public Speech

Managing Delivery

Increasing Public Speaking Skills

Becoming a More Responsible Communicator

 

11. Communication and the Mass Media

The Traditional Mass Media

New Media: Going Global and Mobile

Convergence: the Intersection of New Media and Old

Becoming a More Responsible Communicator

 

12. Intercultural Communication

What Is Culture?

Barriers to Intercultural Communication

Adapting to New Cultures

Becoming a More Open Communicator

 

13. Methods of Discovery

How Is Communication Research Done?

Five Popular Research Methods

Learning More about Communication