Title: The beginnings of communication study in America : a personal memoir /
Authors: Schramm, Wilbur, 1907-1987; Chaffee, Steven H.; Rogers, Everett M.
Publisher: Sage Publications,
Year: 1997
Subjects: Communication Study and teaching United States History.; Communication Research United States History.
Abstract: Considered by most to be the founder of the field of communication studies, Wilbur Schramm could not be more qualified to write The Beginnings of Communication Study in America. This momentous new work acknowledges the seminal contributions of four inspirational scientists whose theories and methods were the foundation for the discipline called communication: Harold D. Lasswell, Paul F. Lazarsfeld, Kurt Lewin, and Carl I. Hovland. This final collection of Wilbur Schramm's perspective in its unfinished form, contains many of his personal insights on the field of communication. The editors have supplemented this volume posthumously by providing a chapter that completes the story of how communication study spread among U.S. Universities, and also contains an exceptional account of the story of Schramm himself, as the founder of communication, and the widespread agreement on his preeminence. The Beginnings of Communication Study in America will fulfill a great need for students, and researchers in mass communication, communication theory, and speech who are interested on the origins and history of communication study, and the significance of Wilbur Schramm's work [Publisher description]
Contents: The forefathers of our forefathers -- Harold Lasswell: politics, power, and the significant symbol -- Paul Lazarsfeld: from market research to media effects to social reinforcement -- Kurt Lewin: the field, the group, and communication -- Carl Hovland: experiments, attitudes, and communication -- The heritage they left us -- Wilbur Schramm: the founder -- Institutionalization of advanced communication study in American universities.