Mass Communication Theory: Foundations, Ferment, and Future
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An introduction to both the social/behavioral and cultural/critical bodies of mass communication theory. Baran (radio/television, San Jose State U.) and Davis (communication, Pennsylvania State U.) discuss such topics as mass society theory, behaviorism, Lippman's theory of public opinion formation, libertarianism, government regulation of media, children and television violence, and C. Wright Mill's conception of the power elite. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
SECTION I: INTRODUCTION TO MASS COMMUNICATION THEORY 1. 1. Understanding and Evaluating Mass Communication Theory 3. 2. Four Eras of Mass Communication Theory. SECTION II: THE ERA OF MASS SOCIETY AND MASS CULTURE. 3. The Rise of Media Industries and Mass Society Theory. 4. The Rise of Media Theory in the Age of Propaganda. 5. Normative Theories Of Mass Communication. SECTION III: FROM LIMITED-EFFECTS TO CRITICAL CULTURAL THEORIES: FERMENT IN THE FIELD. 6. The Rise of Limited-Effects Theory. 7. Moving Beyond Limited Effects: Focus on Functionalism and Children. 8. The Emergence Of Critical And Cultural Theories Of Mass Communication. SECTION IV: CONTEMPORARY MASS COMMUNICATION THEORY: FROM ACTIVE-AUDIENCE TO MEANING-MAKING THEORIES. 9. Audience Theories: Uses, Reception, and Effects. 10. Media and Society: The Role of Media in the Social World. 11. Media and Culture Theories: Meaning-Making in the Social World. 12. Afterword: The Future of Media Theory and Research. References. Index.
