Product Description: This textbook is an historical overview of theory and research in the field of mass communication studies. It focuses on scholarly discourses that have been concerned with mass communication from the early days of the press in the 17th century to the Internet and other advanced communication and information technologies...read more

Honors Jack M. McLeod as a significant force in the training of scholars and as a leader in the conduct of research. The editors have compiled chapters in this book that examine the major themes and enduring contributions of his work. In each case an author who worked with McLeod on the particular concept to that area was selected.

"This book is of major importance to the debate on the postmodern question."--Jean François Lyotard."This is Vattimo at his best--and at his best he is very, very good, which is to say, erudite, witty, engaging, and precise. I do not think anyone comes close to Vattimo in his ability to correlate complex philosophical issues and arguments, such as those of Heidegger or Benjamin on such topics as `the origin of the work of art' or technology and artistic production, with current social and cultural-political issues."--Hayden White.