Books in the A Critical Introduction to Media and Communication Theory series

Going beyond Dewey's reputation in received histories in communication, this book documents his role beginning at the University of Michigan in 1884 until his death in 1952 in establishing a view of communication as the means by which associated life and adaptation to the environment is possible.

Walter Lippmann has been widely misrepresented in media and communication scholarship. Focusing primarily on his early career when Lippmann directly addressed the challenges posed to democracy by the emergence of new communication technologies, this book is part of that renaissance.

Integrating Postman's arguments about television with his critique of technology in general, Strate considers the current state of journalism, politics, religion, and education in American culture. Strate also contextualizes Amusing Ourselves to Death through an examination of Postman's life and career and the field of media ecology that Postman introduced.

As scholars of media and communication begin to think more frequently and more carefully with Pierre Bourdieu's ideas, this book offers a wealth of points of contact between Bourdieu's ideas and research topics concerning media and communication.

In addition to summarizing Goffman's major concepts and his influence on other scholars, the book includes an intellectual biography, explication of his methods, and an example of how to extend his ideas. Readers are invited to consider Goffman as a lens through which to view much of the pattern evident in the social world.

George Gerbner

bell hooks' writings have been touchstones for major debates in the "culture wars", fostering insight into many central questions in communication studies. This book provides readers with a measured, contextualized introduction to how hooks' writings on media and culture enhance our understanding of key concepts in communication.

In this collection of original essays, Larry Gross' former students reflect on his groundbreaking contributions to the field of media studies.

In this collection of original essays, Larry Gross' former students reflect on his groundbreaking contributions to the field of media studies.