Provides students with a comprehensive overview of contemporary communication theory. Entries address topics related not only to paradigms, traditions, and schools, but also metatheory, methodology, inquiry, and applications and contexts.

Capturing all the major themes and subfields within communication this set covers approaches to the study of communication, key processes, forms and types, key characteristics of messages, key communication relationships, factors affecting communication, and challenges and opportunities.

The opening chapters of this work address the methods of research and the history of the field of communication science. In subsequent parts, the authors examine the levels of analysis in communication, the functions of communication, and the contexts in which communication occurs.

From Amazon.com to virtual communities, this single-volume encyclopedia presents more than 250 entries that explain communication technology, multimedia, entertainment, and e-commerce within their social context.

The first authoritative and comprehensive reference to illuminate the ethical, political, social, and legal issues related to science, engineering, and technology.