Communication Studies Lecture Notes

Introduction to Communication Studies

• Definition: An academic discipline focusing on human communication processes, behavior, and patterns.
• Scope: Involves interpersonal relationships, social interactions, and communication across cultures.
• Objective: Understanding and refining communication theories through empirical investigation and critical analysis.
• Methods: Employ both social science techniques and humanities approaches.

Historical Context

• 20th Century Development: Growth in communication technologies spurred academic interest.
• Post-WWII Recognition: Established as a legitimate discipline, originating from psychology, sociology, and political science.

Key Contributions

• Wilbur Schramm: Founder of the field in the United States, developed academic programs, and trained communication scholars.
• Influential Institutes:
  • Institute of Communications Research, University of Illinois
  • Institute for Communication Research, Stanford University
  • East-West Communication Institute, Honolulu

Areas of Study in Communication

• Applications: Journalism, business, mass media, public relations, marketing, education, public administration.
• Expanding Domains: Health, medicine, economy, military, penal institutions, internet, social capital.

Methodological Approaches

• Mid-20th Century: Interpretative, hermeneutic, and philosophic approaches.
• 1990s-2000s: Rise of analytical, mathematical, and computational techniques.

Specializations Within Communication

• Recognized by National Communication Association: Technology, critical-cultural, health, intercultural, interpersonal, mass communication, organizational, political, rhetorical, and environmental communication.

Challenges and Critiques

• Diversity: Predominance of white scholars in the field raises social justice concerns.

Communication in Business and Health

• Business Communication:
  • Central to business relationships
  • Focus on employer needs in communication curricula.
• Health Communication:
  • Multidisciplinary field advancing public health through communication strategies.

Professional Associations Related to Communication Studies

• American Journalism Historians Association, International Communication Association, Public Relations Society of America, among others.

These notes provide an overview of communication studies, highlighting key developments, areas of study, methodological approaches, and current challenges within the field.