Presents and discusses some ideals and some ideas that should be considered by communication programs that want to persist through hard times. (SR)

Examines the interrelationship among propaganda, effect, and the Cold War during congressional debates over America's first peacetime propaganda program. Argues that the "war of words" metaphor further heightened the need for empirical proof of America's status in that conflict. Suggests that the Cold War helped to ensure the…

Describes a four-tiered model of the intellectual structure of the human communication discipline: (1) the structural properties of messages; (2) individual, social, and cultural aspects of message activity; (3) interpersonal, small group, and public levels of message activity; and (4) message activity in recurrent social situations. (SR)

Describes the use of Spike Lee's film "Jungle Fever" in an introductory communication theory class. Demonstrates how the film can be used to help students understand four metatheoretical perspectives: laws, rules, systems, and critical approaches. Discusses when and how to use the film in class. (SR)

Argues that the contention that media texts have no meaning is problematic. Repositions the concept of "text" within the context of general semiotic theory. Uses an approach culled from literary, film, and communication perspectives to reanalyze canonical research on television texts. Proposes a new research agenda. (PRA)

Reformulates the audience autonomy debate in epistemological terms. Outlines a model of the audience member as a lay theorist who develops a hierarchically structured theory system that is based on and tested against everyday experience, including experience supplied by the mass media. (PRA)

Examines advantages, disadvantages, and preliminary assessments of the training model and the consulting/training (CONTRA) model approaches to providing oral communication instruction in Oral Communication across the Curriculum programs. Recommends the CONTRA model. (SR)

Confirms the idea that persons with similar communication values are more likely to become friends than persons with dissimilar communication values. (SR)

Surveys departmental members of the Speech Communication Association. Discusses (1) the nature, prevalence, and satisfaction with strategic planning in their academic units; and (2) the issues and goals facing the departments. (SR)

Uses the oral tradition of "rendering" to discuss writing instruction, composition theory, the community property of writing, and writing professionals. (PRA)

Uses an ideological analysis of the subfield of doctor-patient communication to argue that scholarly efforts in the field of communication are proscribed by a "McCarthyism of the Left." Maintains that political ideology determines what is reality and that old concerns and commitments have been jettisoned to live in the new order. (SR)

Discusses and responds to Thomas Farrell's book "Norms of Rhetorical Culture," a book which reconsiders Aristotle while also contending with powerful currents in contemporary social theory. Suggests that the book provides a template for the construction of rhetorical theory. (SR)

Discusses and responds to Thomas Farrell's book "Norms of Rhetorical Culture," a book which reconsiders Aristotle while also contending with powerful currents in contemporary social theory. Argues that Farrell advances his case through discursive maneuvers that will be credible only for those who already share Farrell's commitments and…

Discusses and responds to Thomas Farrell's book "Norms of Rhetorical Culture," a book which reconsiders Aristotle while also contending with powerful currents in contemporary social theory. Suggests that rhetoric needs to transcend Farrell by locating his norms at one pole of a shared existence. (SR)

Examines three cognitive theories which account for variations in verbal disagreement tactics. Finds that, of 40 dyadic interactions, planning measures strongly correlate with the use of integrative conflict tactics, and the individual difference measure is strongly associated with the quality of plans. Suggests that integrative models are needed…