Communication as an Idea and as an Ideal

This course is an introduction to the theory of communication as a distinct discipline. We can define the field of communication loosely as concerned with studying the processes by which people interactively create, sustain, and manage meaning. In this sense, language, science, the media, technology, culture, society, and philosophy are a few of the many areas in which communication studies is relevant. We begin this course by mapping the origins of the field, beginning with media effects and theories of communication, then move on to policy, theories of technology, critical theory etc., and finish with the philosophy of language and the key debates between structuralism/poststructuralism.

Communication viewed as a community integration factor represents one of the basic elements of social life as it indicates the direction of social development and influences that process, it is an important element of conflicts settlement, it models the social consensus, performs control functions, as well as it is a characteristic feature of each culture, each medium. Communication - to expand the above definition - covers the majority of human activities being part of man's activities in the society. It is a universal value representing the basis for the formation and existence of a community. In this context communication will be understood in very general terms as a specific form of contact between subjects participating in the process of shaping and acquiring the knowledge of the world.

This essay reconstructs communication theory as a dialogical-dialectical field according to two principles: the constitutive model of communication as a metamode1 and theory as metadiscursive practice. The essay argues that all communication theories are mutually relevant when addressed to a practical lifeworld in which "communication" is already a richly meaningful term. Each tradition of communication theory derives from and appeals rhetorically to certain commonplace beliefs about communication while challenging other beliefs. The complementarities and tensions among traditions generate a theoretical metadiscourse that intersects with and potentially informs the ongoing practical metadiscourse in society. In a tentative scheme of the field, rhetorical, semiotic, phenomenological, cybernetic, sociopsychological, sociocultural, and critical traditions of communication theory are distinguished by characteristic ways of defining communication and problems of communication, metadiscursive vocabularies, and metadiscursive commonplaces that they appeal to and challenge. Topoi for argumentation across traditions are suggested and implications for theoretical work and disciplinary practice in the field are considered.

FUNDAMENTALS OF THE ART OF COMMUNICATION (Atena Editora), 2023

Current conceptions of communication have different focuses, but they do not address the essential issues, the fundamentals, more related to communion, and which can be associated with the founding values of communicative art. An exploratory essay is proposed to investigate whether spiritualism, humanism and ecology values can be associated with the essence of the art of communication, outlining purposes and indicating possibilities to achieve them. The findings suggest that the guidelines of the Rosicrucian Appellatio manifesto indicate directions that can contribute in the quest to unravel something of the mystery of communication, which emerges from the inter(intra)suprarelationship between “One, Other(s), Planet and Cosmic”, in that each of these dimensions communicates with the others, everything being inter(intra)supraconnected and composing a whole in constant communicative relationship and which can be a path to divine communion. With regard to propositions of new values to go beyond, it is evident that the map of communicative relationships can serve to locate negative aspects and allow reflection, directions to propose to balance communication actions and neutralize possible distortions. Thus, it is suggested that the values of spiritualism, humanism and ecology can lead to a new imaginary, which suggests that it is possible to consider them foundations of the art of communication.

Theories and Models of Communication, 2013

This chapter charts the historical influences on the theories and models that shaped the communication discipline. This chapter illustrates the importance of U.S. and European scholars from not only the beginnings of the communication discipline, but those who were pre-eminent in other academic disciplines such as sociology, psychology, political science and journalism, as well as examining emerging scholarship from Asia that focuses on understanding cultural differences through communication theories. The chapter traces the foundations and heritage of the communication from five perspectives: (1) communication as shaper of public opinion; (2) communication as language use; (3) communication as information transmission;

Philosophy of the Social Sciences, 2016

Any author who manages to write a penetrating, thoughtful, and evocative book on an underappreciated topic deserves applause. Nimrod Bar-Am does this and much more. The problem which he takes upon himself to investigate is fascinating, original, and of considerable magnitude, for it is nothing less than the question "Is there a theoretical basis distinctive of communication studies as such?" Or to give the inquiry a more ontological slant, the question can be reformulated as follows: "is there a (non-trivial) common denominator to all communication phenomena, and, if so, could it serve as the ground for a conceptually unified field of study?" There is but little doubt that this type of inquiry is of paramount relevance for those who have keen interest in the theoretical foundations of the academic field of communication studies, or for those seeking a philosophical basis for understanding communication as a pervading multilayered and cross-disciplinary phenomenon. Yet, oddly enough, such general inquiry into the nature of communication and into the possibility of a unified field of communication studies is rare. Bar-Am explores this murky territory like a seasoned traveler whose abundant knowledge does not compromise a keen eye and an open heart, and he delineates the contours of the landscape in a manner which is detailed enough to provide substance yet also abstract enough so as to reflect the prefatory status of his query and invite future voyagers to conduct their own journeys down the path. In braving this trailblazing task, Bar-Am does us all good service, and his passion for his subject makes the reading not only intellectually gratifying but also sown with moments of pure joy.

This chapter charts the historical influences on the theories and models that shaped the communication discipline. It illustrates the importance of U.S. and European scholars from not only the beginnings of the communication discipline, but including those who were pre-eminent in other academic disciplines such as sociology, psychology, political science and journalism, as well as examining emerging scholarship from Asia that focuses on understanding cultural differences through communication theories. The chapter traces the foundations and heritage of communication study from five perspectives: ($) communication as shaper of public opinion; (%) communication as language use; (&) communication as information transmission; (') communication as developer of relationships; and (() communication as definer, interpreter, and critic of culture.

A CADEMIC disciplines in higher education are routinely called upon to explain and justify their role in the educational enterprise. Some academic fields such as history and philosophy are more central in the pursuits of liberal arts, while others such as business administration and engineering are more related to career development. The discipline of communication is fairly unique as it crosses these boundaries. As a result, a need exists to provide a rationale for the study of communication. The National Communication Association, in response to requests from communication departments and administrators for evidence supporting the centrality of their discipline, has collected and annotated nearly 100 articles, commentaries, and publications which call attention to the importance of the study of communication in contemporary society. Four of five major themes in the bibliography provide support for the importance of communication education to: the development of the whole person; the improvement of the educational enterprise ; being a responsible citizen ofthe world, both socially and culturally; and, succeeding in one's career and in the business enterprise. A fifth theme highlights the need for communication education to be provided by those who are specialists in its study.

2000

This chapter introduces you to an intercultural understanding of communication. It also outlines some effects that an individual's background and attitude have on communication.

More Than Words provides an introduction to both communication theory and practice. The authors cover the essential elements of communication, including communication between individuals and groups, in organizations and through mass media and new technologies. This new edition of the best-selling text has been fully revised and updated to take into account new developments in communication and media studies.

Communication and Beyond, 2022

The book reviews the establishment of communication education in Australia from the mid-1970s. It assesses changing government mandates, the evolution of communication study and teaching, premier communication courses, faculty personalities, new career options, and experiences putting communication into practice through academic and external relations initiatives. Chapter 4 on Communication Meaning examines the field of human communication studies and the impulses driving a key stage of pioneering efforts in the development of communication study and teaching in Australia. It outlines six major groupings of meanings and senses of the word "communication" that researchers, teachers, and practitioners used at the time of the 1980 inaugural conference of the Australian Communication Association (now the Australian and New Zealand Communication Association). Opportunities for conscious cooperation among academics from diverse disciplines to expand understandings of communication are outlined. The chapter incorporates points from the author's paper "Finding Communication Meaning in Australia," presented at the Association's organizing conference. Commencing from a challenge that Communication Studies is not a discipline, the paper offers clarification of uses of the word "communication" in the academy and in practice as an impulse for the development of a coherent field of study. It is suggested the new Australian Communication Association encourage inquiries well-grounded in collaborative understandings of the diverse theoretical explanations of communication. Reference is made to efforts among mass communication and communication researchers who advocate pluralistic perspectives on communication. The chapter notes Canadian efforts at the time to clarify communication terminology and describes further evolution of the Australian Journal of Communication, as well as detailing the broadening of course offerings and some faculty personalities contributing to this early development of communication education. In closing, it considers the promise provided by focusing on communication as the mutual development of understanding and knowledge.

Based on the course material covered, a good place to begin in order to discuss the various communication theory viewpoints is with Robert Craig's perspective that even though a coherent universal theory of communication does not yet exist it should still be strived for (Craig 1999 p. 119). He proposes that the varied literature available on the subject suggests that communication theories are an amalgam of ideas that find their roots in such diverse disciplines as anthropology, literature, mathematics, engineering, sociology, philosophy and psychology.

This chapter presents the communication process. It describes the basic elements of the communication process and defines concepts. It also sheds light on forms of communication and basic characteristics of each form.