Introduction to Communication and Media Studies

• Land Acknowledgement Statement for the ROTEL Grant
• How to Use This Book
• Chapter 1: Introduction to Communication and Media Studies
• 1.1 Communication: History and Forms
• 1.2 The Communication Process
• 1.3 Media Studies
• 1.4 What Does Media Do for Us?
• Chapter 2: Media, Society, Culture, and You
• 2.1 The Role of Mass Media in Society
• 2.2 Mass Media Growth and Consolidation
• 2.3 Mass Media and Popular Culture
• Chapter 3: Media Literacy
• 3.1 Approaches to Literacy
• 3.2 Media Theories for Media Literacy
• Chapter 4: Critical Thinking
• 4.1 Types of Reasoning
• 4.2 Fallacies
• Chapter 5: Rhetorical Appeals and Devices
• 5.1 Rhetorical Analysis
• 5.2 Rhetorical Devices
• Chapter 6: Rhetorical Analysis of Visual Texts
• 6.1 Overview of Visual Rhetoric
• 6.2 How to Analyze Visual Texts
• Chapter 7: The Printing Press
• 7.1 History of Books
• 7.2 Books and the Development of U.S. Popular Culture
• 7.3 Major Book Formats
• 7.4 Current Publishing Trends
• 7.5 The Influence of New Technology
• Chapter 8: Electrifying Communication: The Telegraph and Telephone
• 8.1 Historical and Technological Developments
• 8.2 Impacts of the Telegraph
• 8.3 From Dots and Dashes to Dial Tones
• Chapter 9: Newspapers and Digital News
• 9.1 History of Newspapers
• 9.2 Different Styles and Models of Journalism
• 9.3 How Newspapers Control the Public’s Access to Information and Impact American Pop Culture
• 9.4 Current Popular Trends in the Newspaper Industry
• 9.5 Online Journalism Redefines News
• 9.6. Media System in Germany
• Chapter 10: Film and Bricolage
• 10.1 The Film Profession
• 10.2 The History of Movies
• 10.3 Movies and Culture
• 10.4 The Influence of New Technology
• Chapter 11: Television through Time
• 11.1 The Evolution of Television
• 11.2 The Relationship Between Television and Culture
• 11.3 Issues and Trends in the Television Industry
• 11.4 Influence of New Technologies
• Chapter 12: Music Recording, Sharing, and the Information Economy
• 12.1 The Evolution of Popular Culture
• 12.2 The Recording Industry as Harbinger of Digital Disruption
• Chapter 13: Radio Broadcasting, Podcasting, and Superbug Media
• 13.1 Evolution of Radio Broadcasting
• 13.2 Radio’s Impact on Culture
• 13.3 Radio’s New Future
• Chapter 14: Digital Gaming
• 14.1 The Evolution of Electronic Games
• 14.2 The Impact of Video Games on Culture
• 14.3 Controversial Issues
• 14.4 Blurring the Boundaries Between Video Games, Information, Entertainment, and Communication
• Chapter 15: Advertising, Public Relations, and Propaganda
• 15.1 Advertising
• 15.2 Public Relations
• Chapter 16: Digital Culture: Social Media, Virtual Reality, and Augmented Reality
• 16.1 The Evolution of the Internet
• 16.2 Social Media and Web 2.0
• 16.3 Issues and Trends
• Chapter 17: Ethical Issues
• 17.1 Ethical Issues in Mass Media
• 17.2 Ethical Considerations of the Online World
• 17.3 TikTok’s Enshittification
• Chapter 18: Racial Capitalism in the Age of Big Data: A Global Perspective
• 18.1 Racial Capitalism in the Age of Big Data
• Appendix

Introduction to Communication and Media Studies is an in-depth exploration of how communication shapes our world. This book traces the historical evolution of media, from the early days of the printing press to today’s digital age, examining key developments such as the telegraph, radio, television, and the internet. It also covers critical theories that explain media’s impact on society, including the effects of advertising, the role of public relations, and the emergence of social media as a powerful force in modern communication. Chapters on media literacy, critical thinking, and rhetorical analysis help students develop critical skills for understanding and analyzing media messages.