This volume examines socially-based theory and research, pedagogy and practice in professional communication. The contributors provide a comprehensive overview of the social perspective which emphasizes the context of communication, and then distinguish it from positivistic, cognitive and other competing approaches. After establishing a broad framework for situating developments in professional communication research, the book then moves on to: explore more particular topics, issues and problems within the perspective; examine the historical and theoretical traditions in rhetoric, semiotics, literary criticism, philosophy of science, social psychology and cultural anthropology; discuss implications for classroom practice in professional communication; and describe the ways that the social perspective has changed our understanding of communication in the workplace.
This guide shows how school personnel can use evaluation to assess programme appropriateness, effectiveness, quality and improvement of special education programmes. The authors suggest practical ways in which evaluation can benefit teacher and student. They illustrate: how to document needs and support requests for resources; how to reveal programme strengths and weaknesses and make informed, effective decisions on the need for change; how to compare promising programme alternatives by pre-testing and collecting data on a sample basis and determining effectiveness before widespread implementation; and how to diagnose aspects of programmes that must be improved to meet legal or external requirements. Non-technical terminology is used throughout.
This book explores the process of interpersonal conflict - from the initial decision as to whether or not to confront differences through to how to plan the actual confrontation. It deals extensively with negotiation and, where negotiation proves unsuccessful, with third-party dispute resolution. To avoid destructive or violent behaviour, Donohue emphasizes the importance of keeping conflicts under control and of focusing on the pertinent issues. He argues that the key to managing conflict is to address differences collaboratively so that the parties can create better solutions and, ultimately, strengthen their relationships.
Vulnerable Values in Western European Broadcasting
Modern broadcasting policy faces a number of challenges: how to regulate the growing commercial sector; the position and funding of public service television; and finding appropriate forms of public accountability in the changed media environment. Television and the Public Interest examines these challenges and how they are being addressed in the media systems of eight European nations. The authors' aim throughout is to identify the basic values that European policymakers, politicians, broadcasters and civic groups of all kinds regard as vulnerable in the new conditions and are striving to protect from market pressures. The book includes a wealth of information on broadcasting policy issues and practice in Western European nations and offers a major appraisal of the values enshrined in such policy, how they are protected institutionally in different systems, and how such systems are coping with the challenges of the new media landscape.
Intended for academics, student researchers and professionals in communication, this book covers the field of information. After defining information, the author contrasts non-linear and reflexive ideas about human communication with linear perspectives. Information is equated with uncertainty. The result presents a pattern for the process of conceptualizing and reconceptualizing information in the context of evolving communication theories.
This book addresses the controversy of whether there is a growing homogenization of the world's popluar music - the universal language of youth - or whether there is a continuing and perhaps ever increasing diversity of song styles and forms. The more conventional "cultural imperialism" hypothesis is tested. The focus is on how the process of popular music production is perceived by local musicians, who are immersed in overlapping international, national and local contexts of production. Reflections on theory, descriptions of lcoal case studies, and interview data have been provided by the international Communication and Youth Culture Consortium and integrated by the authors in an attempt to understand how societal influences are tempered by and interpreted through cultural and semiotic codes as well as individual musicians' experiences and creative talents.
Judgements, inferences and generalizations about interpersonal communication are made by us all. However, our observations are just the first step in understanding this phenomenon. This volume examines the systematic empirical study of interpersonal communication. Clark lays the groundwork for understanding systematic procedures, with an emphasis on experimental methodology. With this introduction to empirical study, readers can learn to become critical consumers of empirical research in interpersonal communication.
It is not unusual for communication and media researchers to study law or legal issues, nor is it uncommon for legal scholars to study communication law. But it is something of a departure for the two to come together as has been accomplished in this innovative volume. Social Research in Communication and Law is a practical guide for conducting research involving both legal and communication questions. Offering rich citations and examples from existing literature, this engaging volume shows communication law scholars how to make more effective use of the methodologies employed in communication science. Topics addressed include reconciling communication and law, social research approaches to libel and theories pertaining to freedom of expression.
This volume provides an up to date overview and assessment of intercultural communication theories. Advancements stimulated by empirical research resulting from the 1983 title in the same series, Intercultural Communication Theory, are reflected in this volume. In addition to revised chapters on such topics as constructivist theory, coordinated management theory, convergence theory, and adaptation in intercultural relationships, a number of new perspectives have been developed, including discussions on intercultural tranformation and network theory. Contributors from UK and Australia serve to broaden the scope. Just as the earlier volume helped to define the field, Theorizing Intercultural Communication is an important contribution pointing to areas of further research, the need for continued refinements of existing approaches, and increased efforts at integration.
