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    Read more about Communication in the Real World - An Introduction to Communication Studies

    Communication in the Real World - An Introduction to Communication Studies

    (48 reviews)

    Copyright Year:

    ISBN 13: 9781946135070

    Publisher: University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing

    Language: English

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    Reviews

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    Reviewed by Elizabeth Johnson-Young, Associate Professor, University of Mary Washington on 6/14/24

    This text provides excellent coverage of a variety of foundational communication material, subjects, and concepts. Easy to find what you need throughout the book and would serve well for an introductory course as a stand alone text or to be used... read more

    Reviewed by Laura Seroka, Assistant Professor, Berea College on 3/25/24

    The textbook covers everything that should be standard in an Introduction to Communication textbook. It has basic topics such as identity through communication, media, and foundational info which give a solid base for more specialized upper-level... read more

    Reviewed by Parameswari Mukherjee, Assistant Professor, Metropolitan State University of Denver on 2/21/24

    This textbook is highly recommended for introductory-level Communication Studies courses. It provides a comprehensive overview of various topics, including verbal and non-verbal communication, listening skills, interpersonal communication,... read more

    Reviewed by Yejin Shin, Assistant Professor, Northeastern Illinois University on 5/5/23

    This textbook includes important aspects of basic communication courses. Chapter 1 - Introduction to communication studies highlights the history and different forms of communication, which should be the basis of a basic communication course.... read more

    Reviewed by Pleasant Karen, Adjunct Instructor, Rogue Community College on 3/10/23

    The textbook covers the key aspects of basic communication and would serve as an excellent resource for students in an introductory course. From the historical elements of communication to current research and trends, the book is comprehensive in... read more

    Reviewed by Ibrahim Yoldash, Adjunct Professor, Prairie State College on 2/8/23

    The text is very comprehensive, although there is not an in-depth chapter dedicated to ceremonial/commemorative speeches. I did like the sample speeches and topics that were offered within the chapters. I also think that students can benefit from... read more

    Reviewed by Brian Healy, Lecturer, Metropolitan State University of Denver on 11/26/22

    This book is an excellent foray into Communication Studies. Communication in the Real World runs the gamut from Intrapersonal Communication to Mass Communication while presenting content that reflects historical and current research trends. This... read more

    Reviewed by Michele Mahi, Assistant Professor, Leeward Community College on 3/11/22

    Communication in the Real World is a comprehensive textbook for an introductory communication course. The textbook includes the standard topics addressed in typical 100-level speech courses. Something this textbook lacks is an index or glossary;... read more

    Reviewed by Art Khaw, Professor, Kirkwood Community College on 12/13/21

    The Communication in the Real World text is an effective textbook for students in two-year programs and introductory communication courses at four-year institutions. Too often, texts try to accomplish too much in one course. This textbook allows... read more

    Reviewed by Denny Morell, Adjunct Faculty, Massachusetts Bay Community College on 6/23/21

    The textbook fulfils the objective of explaining effective and ethical communication as well as describing the function of the communication process. The exercises at the end of each chapter engage students in developing self-awareness and... read more

    Reviewed by Madeleine Costa, Adjunct Faculty, Bristol Community College on 6/1/21

    This book is very thorough and comprehensive as it begins discussing communication since 3500BCE up until today's new media components. It had areas that discussed how students could use this information in specific other courses and in the... read more

    Reviewed by Nancyruth Leibold, Associate Professor, Southwest Minnesota State University on 5/3/21, updated 6/1/21

    This textbook is an undergraduate-level textbook that is comprehensive about introductory communication with five primary types: intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, public, and mass communication. The contents were precise in the PDF version. The... read more

    Reviewed by Scott Makstenieks, Instructor, Winona State University on 11/11/20

    For any institution or educator looking for a textbook that covers both communication theory and skill-building, this book is an excellent resource. Beyond the initial discussions of communication as a concept and phenomenon, the text covers... read more

    Reviewed by Amber Worthington, Assistant Professor of Communication, University of Alaska Anchorage on 10/21/20, updated 1/10/21

    This book provides a great overview of many areas of communication. I use this book for an introductory communication course that covers interpersonal communication, public speaking, and small group communication. This book also covers more... read more

    Reviewed by JoAnne Breault, Adjunct Instructor of Communication, Bristol Community College on 6/30/20

    The book did a great job of introducing new terms, giving a strong definition and providing a clear and concise example. read more

    Reviewed by Carleen Yokotake, Professor of Speech, Leeward Community College on 6/25/20

    The book does an excellent job covering all areas of the subject matter except for Interviewing. Interviewing is an important aspect of dyadic communication and taught in our Speech courses as one of several important communication skills.... read more

    Reviewed by David Rattigan, Adjunct Faculty, Northern Essex Community College on 6/19/20

    The book is very comprehensive, and could be used in multiple classes as a supplemental text, or with supplemental texts. However, it was originally published in 2013, and there are some new developments that went uncovered particularly related to... read more

    Reviewed by Brenden Kendall, Associate Professor, Metropolitan State University of Denver on 3/6/20

    Subjects within the text are covered well, though the author is not particularly clear about the scope of their major sections (and reasons for those choices). Put another way, the text is framed as a neutral account of the field, when of course... read more

    Reviewed by Thomas Townsend, Lecturer, East Tennessee State University on 10/31/19

    The text is comprehensive within its publishing date. It covers the basics of Communication Studies and two chapters of Mass Communication. read more

    Reviewed by Tim Ball, Associate Professor, James Madison University on 7/24/19

    The textbook does cover all areas and ideas that are appropriate for an introductory human communication course (e.g., the communication process, perception, culture, verbal and nonverbal communication, listening, interpersonal and relationship... read more

    Reviewed by Robert Jersak, Faculty Instructor, Communication Studies, Century College on 6/21/19

    Communication in the Real World is fairly comprehensive. In eighteen chapters, interpersonal, intercultural, small group, leadership and media dynamics in our field are introduced discussed in beginning-level depth. That’s quite a breadth of... read more

    Reviewed by Bradley Wolfe, Adjunct Professor, Minnesota State University, Mankato on 5/21/19

    The textbook covers all the basic topics for an introductory communication course. I've used the textbook for my introduction to communication course, along with selections of the text for small group communication. The book covers plenty of... read more

    Reviewed by Lucas Hackenburg, Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Nebraska - Lincoln on 4/3/19

    This textbook includes the major ideas and topics as most other introductory communication studies texts. This text is appropriate for a 100/1000-level course. Four chapter are devoted to public speaking, so consider the structure of the course.... read more

    Reviewed by Carolyn Weber, Communication Faculty, Minnesota State on 3/18/19

    This text provides what it claims - an "an introduction" to range of communication concepts and focuses on skills, predominantly in the area of public speaking. I chose to use segments of this text for an online interpersonal communication course... read more

    Reviewed by Skye Chernichky-Karcher, Assistant Professor, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania on 3/14/19

    The range of topics for this book is comparable to other leading textbooks of this area from popular publishers. This would be perfect for a course that seeks to cover communication studies with a public speaking component, but lacks topics that... read more

    Reviewed by Berkey Timothy, Instructor, Taylor University on 3/4/19

    I appreciate the inclusion of materials chosen for this text. read more

    Reviewed by Leigh Kelley, Instructor, Radford University on 2/19/19

    I use this textbook in an Introduction to Communication course that covers both Communication and Mass Communication. It does a good job providing an overview of such topics such as history, process, perception, listening, verbal, nonverbal, group... read more

    Reviewed by Merissa Bunton (Brown), Lecturer of Speech and English, Leeward Community College on 2/14/19

    I plan to begin using this book for my Human Communication course. All of the topics I address are adequately covered in this text. When I began my initial review of the book, I loved the online glossary with the easy to navigate "dropdown" menu... read more

    Reviewed by Valerie Young, Associate Professor, Communication, Hanover College on 1/25/19

    Each chapter supports both the "typical" topics in similar breadth and depth as the traditional hybrid Intro to Communication text and I was pleasantly surprised to see the integration of topics within and between chapters. For example, rarely to... read more

    Reviewed by Christy Takamure, Associate Professor of Speech, CC, Leeward Community College on 1/18/19

    This text clearly covers all subject areas and concepts that may be found in most communication textbooks. It is very comprehensive and does not leave out any key terms pertinent in a speech communication course yet, it does not provide too much... read more

    Reviewed by Jonathan Anderegg, Assistant Professor, George Fox University on 1/16/19

    This textbook offers a broad look at communication theory, particularly through a rhetorical lens. While the social scientific theoretical side may be a bit lacking, the book makes up for this in the breadth of topics it covers. I appreciated... read more

    Reviewed by Kelly Young, Associate Professor, Wayne State University on 11/30/18

    The text does a nice job of discussing most of the common communication areas covered in other similar textbooks. I wish the text would include discussion of health communication and public and personal persuasion or influence, as I feel that the... read more

    Reviewed by Yuxiang Du, Assistant Professor, Fort Hays State University on 11/29/18

    This textbook is more comprehensive than the ones I have used in my basic course classes. It is an ideal textbook for these hybrid courses (interpersonal and public speaking). I am very impressed with its scope and comprehensiveness. Within each... read more

    Reviewed by Stacie Mariette, Mass Communication instructor, Anoka-Ramsey Community College on 6/19/18

    This textbook is very comprehensive. I have used it in my Intro to Communication Studies (both seated and online sections) for two semesters. I always omit a few chapters because it is so comprehensive and is too detailed for this particular... read more

    Reviewed by Heidi Croatt, Professor, Anoka-Ramsey Community College on 5/21/18

    I appreciate the comprehensiveness of this text. In addition to including all of the typical topics taught in an introductory hybrid course, the text includes chapters on mass media and technology, as well as how new media impacts our self and our... read more

    Reviewed by Courtney Anderegg, Assistant Professor, George Fox University on 3/27/18

    This text appears to cover all general areas and ideas within the communication field appropriate for an introductory level course. Although the goal of an introductory text is to provide just that -- an introduction -- I felt as though some... read more

    Reviewed by Candice Thomas-Maddox, Professor, Ohio University Lancaster on 2/1/18

    The text contains 16 chapters that cover all of the basic content typically included in most of the well-known hybrid introductory communication textbooks currently on the market. Each section/topic area within each of the chapters begin with its... read more

    Reviewed by Jade Olson, Lecturer, University of Maryland on 2/1/18

    This book offers a comprehensive treatment of key areas of communication studies. It is an appropriate introduction to the discipline, and would be suitable for an introduction to communication theory course, a public speaking course, or a hybrid... read more

    Reviewed by Jessica Martin, Professor, Portland Community College on 8/15/17

    After reviewing this text, I believe that it does provide an effective index and glossary. The table of contents are easily able to be found at the very beginning of the online textbook. What is especially nice is that you can easily click over... read more

    Reviewed by Scott Dunn, Associate Professor, Radford University on 4/11/17

    This textbook covers virtually all of the main topics I would expect to see in an introductory communication textbook. The only exception I noted is that there is no chapter on organizational communication, although they do discuss communication... read more

    Reviewed by Mackenzie Krzmarzick, Communication Instructor, Anoka-Ramsey Community College on 4/11/17

    Overall, the comprehensiveness of this text is one of the main characteristics that attracted me to it. When teaching the communication studies basic course (interpersonal + public speaking + small group), textbooks often fall short in one or more... read more

    Reviewed by Shelby Bell, Faculty, North Hennepin Community College on 4/11/17

    This text is designed for an introduction to communication course, but I am reviewing it as a possible text for an introduction to Interpersonal Communication course. For this purpose the text provides a useful foundation in communication theory... read more

    Reviewed by Galyn Carlile, Currently Adjunct Professor, Dean Emeritus, Former Chief Academic Officer, Rogue Community College, Grants Pass OR 97527 on 4/11/17

    I currently teach both SP100 Basic Communication and SP 218 Interpersonal Communication and I feel the material is comprehensive enough that with modification and shuffling of chapter modules I could manage to use it for both courses. read more

    Reviewed by Denise Tallakson, Instructor, University of Northern Iowa on 2/15/17

    Comprehensive Individualized Curriculum and Instructional Design: Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Developmental Disabilities/Autism Spectrum Disorders covers a wide range of topics related to working with students with developmental... read more

    Reviewed by Kyle Tusing, Associate Professor, University of Arizona on 2/8/17

    This text covers the expected topics for an introductory hybrid (communication and public speaking) text, and in the order that those topics are customarily covered (1. introduction, 2. perception, 3. language, 4. nonverbal, etc.). The history of... read more

    Reviewed by Tamara Watkins, Adjunct Instructor, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College on 2/8/17

    The textbook provides a good overview of communication as a discipline. Notably, this text has two chapters that discuss media--"Media, Technology, and Communication" and "New Media and Communication." This in particular is an asset because it... read more

    Reviewed by Amandajean Nolte, Instructor, University of Northern Iowa on 2/8/17

    This is a comprehensive text that rivals textbooks in the traditional market. It contains the concepts often covered in a hybird/intro communication course. Having taught this course for ten years and reviewed dozens of textbooks, I would have... read more

    Reviewed by Samuel Cook IV, Adjunct Lecturer, UNC Greensboro on 12/5/16

    As compared to similar texts in the traditional textbook market, this book provides just as much comprehension for an introductory communication course/curriculum. All of the general concept areas taught in an introductory hybrid communication... read more

    Table of Contents

    • Chapter 1: Introduction to Communication Studies
    • Chapter 2: Communication and Perception
    • Chapter 3: Verbal Communication
    • Chapter 4: Nonverbal Communication
    • Chapter 5: Listening
    • Chapter 6: Interpersonal Communication Processes
    • Chapter 7: Communication in Relationships
    • Chapter 8: Culture and Communication
    • Chapter 9: Preparing a Speech
    • Chapter 10: Delivering a Speech
    • Chapter 11: Informative and Persuasive Speaking
    • Chapter 12: Public Speaking in Various Contexts
    • Chapter 13: Small Group Communication
    • Chapter 14: Leadership, Roles, and Problem Solving in Groups
    • Chapter 15: Media, Technology, and Communication
    • Chapter 16: New Media and Communication

    Ancillary Material

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    About the Book

    Communication in the Real World: An Introduction to Communication Studies overviews the time-tested conceptual foundations of the field, while incorporating the latest research and cutting-edge applications of these basics. Each chapter will include timely, concrete, and real-life examples of communication concepts in action.

    A key feature of this book is the integration of content regarding diversity and organizational communication in each chapter through examples and/or discrete sub-sections. Discussions of diversity are not relegated to feature boxes. Also integrated into the content are examples that are inclusive in terms of race, gender, sexuality, ability, age, marital status, religion, and other diverse identity characteristics.

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