Communication: A Critical/Cultural Introduction

by John T. Warren, Deanna L. Fassett

Overview

This exciting text for the hybrid course introduces communication theory, interpersonal communication, and public communication and culture through the lens of contemporary critical theory. The book focuses on public advocacy as a more meaningful way to approach public speaking through coverage of topics and issues that students are most passionate about. By situating communication concepts and theories within contemporary and engaging cultural scenes, the book is much more than a survey of ideas—it demonstrates the power of communication in our everyday lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781483321707
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	01/06/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	296
File size:	12 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

John T. Warren (Late) was professor of Speech Communication at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. His major research and teaching centered in Communication Pedagogy, Performance Studies, and Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies. He was the author of numerous books including Performing Purity: Whiteness, Pedagogy and the Reconstitution of Power; Casting Gender: Women and Performance in Intercultural Contexts; Critical Communication Pedagogy; and the SAGE Handbook of Communication and Instruction. He also authored articles for several education and communication studies journals, including Educational Theory, Communication Education, and Text and Performance Quarterly.
Deanna L. Fassett is Department Chair and professor of communication pedagogy at San José State University where she has, since 2002, mentored her department’s graduate student instructors.  She is the author and editor of three other books:  Coordinating the Communication Course:  A Guidebook, Critical Communication Pedagogy, The SAGE Handbook of Communication and Instruction, and Communication: A Critical/Cultural Introduction, Second Edition. Her published research has appeared in a broad array of communication studies journals, including Basic Communication Course Annual, Communication Education, Liminalities: A Journal of Performance Studies, and Text and Performance Quarterly.

Table of Contents

Preface
Part I: First Principles
1. Communication: A Cultural Introduction
2. Communication and Power: A Cultural History
3. Public Advocacy: Commitments and Responsibility
Part II: Communication Processes and Skills
4. Compassionate Critical Listening
5. Groups and Alliances in Culture
6. Identity and Perception
7. Language and Culture
Part III: Communication Contexts
8. Embodied Knowledge and Non-Verbal Communication
9. Language and Power in Our Cultural Lives
10. Interpersonal Relationships in Culture
11. Mediated Culture(s)
12. Communication as a Means of Social Action
Glossary
Index
About the Authors

Editorial Reviews

“The uniqueness of this work’s mission and the specific ways it gets enacted, the personalized nature of the authors’ narratives, the relevant examples, the use of often avoided topics in intro communication texts, and the ways these topics get treated with depth, respect and precision…. these are the key contributions of this book.”

Keith Berry

This text uses a narrative approach to situate communication concepts within contexts. I really like the central theories, issues focus, narrative style, and public address and activism features. These make the book unique and, I believe, engaging both for seasoned instructors and for students.… It could prove very fun to teach from.

Deanna Sellnow

“The greatest benefit of this book is its sophisticated treatment of a wide range of communication concepts from interpersonal to public speaking. The narrative examples make this a more readable text for introductory level students without skimping on challenging concepts.”

Keith Nainby

I believe students will relate extremely well to the writing. The fact that the authors offer up their stories gives this textbook a unique and welcomed quality that sets it above others. The text is accessible without being elementary, and the content is important and timely. I’ve been looking for a book that addresses the nuances of culture and takes a critical approach to communication, and I believe I’ve found it!

Sandy Pensoneau-Conway

The authors’ style is conversational, non-didactic, and the approach encourages critical thinking.… The great advantage of this text is that it will help foster dialogic communication in the classroom and a high degree of student reflection.” 

Don Rubin

I like that interpersonal communication is explained as communication between people who have some sort of stake in one another. I can’t help but think of what a difference it would make if all of our students thought of communication in this way. In like manner, to frame interpersonal communication as the intersection of self, Other and culture is really useful…. This book is making me think.

Sarah Bonewits Feldner

“The goals of this text are laudable and refreshing. I think its social justice focus is appropriate in demonstrating and motivating advocacy. The critical framework is exceptional, placing the theories in a perspective that is consistently maintained throughout the text. This approach is long overdue.”

Reeze Hanson

“This is the book that I have been waiting for. It respects students and interrogates theory. The critical approach teaches students to independently consider communication in all forms. The central message that knowledge allows us to change is fundamental to my teaching philosophy. This text would actually be read by my students and would support what I teach in lecture.”

John B. Ryan