This monograph examines the past, present, and potential relationship between American pragmatism and communication research. The contributors provide a bridge between communication studies and philosophy, subjects often developed somewhat in isolation from each other. Addressing topics, such as qualitative and quantitative research, ethics, media research, and feminist studies, the chapters in this volume: *discuss how a pragmatic, Darwinian approach to inquiry has guided and might further guide communication research; *advocate a functional view of communication, based on Dewey's mature notion of transaction; *articulate a pragmatist's aesthetics and connect it to Deweyan democracy; *discuss the similarities and differences between Dewey's notion of inquiry and the philosophical hermeneutics of Hans-Georg Gadamer; *apply accommodation theory, linked to symbolic interactionism and more generally to the social behaviorism of George H. Mead and his followers, to media research; *interpret media-effects evidence in light of pragmatist ideas about inquiry; and *argue that pragmatism theorizes about despair and life's sense of the tragic. This book is written to be readily accessible to students and professional academics within and outside the field of communication studies without extensive training in specialized areas of communication study.

This intellectual history of the civic journalism movement focuses on the ideas of Charles Darwin, John Dewey, and George Mead. Author David Perry suggests that the detailed study of these ideas may help shape the future evolution of civic journalism.

This monograph examines the past, present, and potential relationship between American pragmatism and communication research. The contributors provide a bridge between communication studies and philosophy, subjects often developed somewhat in isolation from each other.
Addressing topics, such as qualitative and quantitative research, ethics, media research, and feminist studies, the chapters in this volume:
*discuss how a pragmatic, Darwinian approach to inquiry has guided and might further guide communication research;
*advocate a functional view of communication, based on Dewey's mature notion of transaction;
*articulate a pragmatist's aesthetics and connect it to Deweyan democracy;
*discuss the similarities and differences between Dewey's notion of inquiry and the philosophical hermeneutics of Hans-Georg Gadamer;
*apply accommodation theory, linked to symbolic interactionism and more generally to the social behaviorism of George H. Mead and his followers, to media research;
*interpret media-effects evidence in light of pragmatist ideas about inquiry; and
*argue that pragmatism theorizes about despair and life's sense of the tragic.
This book is written to be readily accessible to students and professional academics within and outside the field of communication studies without extensive training in specialized areas of communication study.

This updated edition presents a civic journalism treatment of the field of mass communication research. The "sine qua non" of the civic journalism movement seems to center around an implicit assumption that the human mind is an evolved part in the natural world, not a detached spectator as much traditional philosophy assumes. Thus, it has attempted to encourage journalists and members of their audiences to participate actively in civic life. Applying the same idea to mass communication academics, this book focuses on the empirical consequences of their work, especially its possible impact on human life. It argues that researchers need to connect with the broader communities in which they live and considers the impact of media research on society.
Features of the second edition include:
*detailed update of research evidence concerning the media violence issue;
*additional material concerning media ownership structures and their possible relationship to media content and effects;
*new material focusing on the impact of tobacco and alcohol advertising;
*updated and expanded section concerning the history of media studies; and
*an expanded discussion of philosophical issues pertaining to theory construction.
This book is intended for graduate and advanced undergraduate students studying mass communication theory and related subjects, such as communication theory, media effects, media literacy, and media and society.

This updated edition presents a civic journalism treatment of the field of mass communication research. The "sine qua non" of the civic journalism movement seems to center around an implicit assumption that the human mind is an evolved part in the natural world, not a detached spectator as much traditional philosophy assumes. Thus, it has attempted to encourage journalists and members of their audiences to participate actively in civic life. Applying the same idea to mass communication academics, this book focuses on the empirical consequences of their work, especially its possible impact on human life. It argues that researchers need to connect with the broader communities in which they live and considers the impact of media research on society.
Features of the second edition include:
*detailed update of research evidence concerning the media violence issue;
*additional material concerning media ownership structures and their possible relationship to media content and effects;
*new material focusing on the impact of tobacco and alcohol advertising;
*updated and expanded section concerning the history of media studies; and
*an expanded discussion of philosophical issues pertaining to theory construction.
This book is intended for graduate and advanced undergraduate students studying mass communication theory and related subjects, such as communication theory, media effects, media literacy, and media and society.