Libros

Originally published in 1971. An introduction to the rapidly-changing field of modern communications at the time, this book brings together a wide range of literature from Africa, Asia and Latin America. It presents a critical revaluation of the dominant theoretical perspectives which informed Third World communications studies, and it challenges popular and often greatly misinformed perceptions of the nature and the uniformity of current Third World communications. The author gives an account of the significant shifts in the theoretical orientation of cultural analysis in Third World societies, explaining the vast differences between these societies in their levels of industrialization, communications and cultural production, and their ability to utilize modern mass communications and business-oriented technologies. He reveals that the differences can sometimes be greater than those between advanced capitalist and Third World countries, and comes to reject the usefulness of the concept of "Third World" in understanding the nature of communications systems in different national societies.

The future engagement of young citizens from a wide range of socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds in democratic politics remains a crucial concern for academics, policy-makers, civics teachers and youth workers around the world. At a time when the negative relationship between socio-economic inequality and levels of political participation is compounded by high youth unemployment or precarious employment in many countries, it is not surprising that new social media communications may be seen as a means to re-engage young citizens. This edited collection explores the influence of social media, such as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, upon the participatory culture of young citizens.

This collection, comprising contributions from a number of leading international scholars in this field, examines such themes as the possible effects of social media use upon patterns of political socialization; the potential of social media to ameliorate young people’s political inequality; the role of social media communications for enhancing the civic education curriculum; and evidence for social media manifesting new forms of political engagement and participation by young citizens. These issues are considered from a number of theoretical and methodological approaches but all attempt to move beyond simplistic notions of young people as an undifferentiated category of ‘the internet generation’.

This book presents a unique perspective into the investigation and analysis of public discourses, such as those of the environment, politics, and social media, springing from issues of key relevance to contemporary society, including the War on Terror, the ‘Arab Spring’, and the climate-change debate. Employing a qualitative approach, and drawing on data which comprises both written and spoken discourses, including policy documents, political speeches, press conferences, blog entries, informational leaflets, and corporate reports, the book puts forward a unique theoretical framework, that of the Discourse of Illusion. The research draws on discourse analysis, in order to develop and implement a multi-perspective framework that allows a closer look at the intentions of the producer/actor of various discourses, power struggles within social domains, in addition to the socio-political and historical contexts which influence the individual repositories of experience that create multiple, often contesting, arguments on controversial issues, consequently giving rise to discursive illusions. Discursive Illusions in Public Discourse: Theory and practice intensively explores the discourse of illusion within multifarious dimensions of contemporary public discourses, such as:

• Political Voices in Terrorism

• Activist Voices in New Media

• Corporate Voices in Climate Change

This book will particularly appeal to researchers working within the field of discourse analysis, and more generally for students of postgraduate research and specialists in the field of language, linguistics, and media. The book can also be used as a guide for non-specialists in better understanding the complexities of public discourses, and how they shape society’s perceptions of some key social and political issues.

Applied Communication Research Methods: Getting Started as a Researcher demonstrates how to apply concepts to research problems, issues, projects, and questions that communication practitioners face every day. Recognizing that students engage more directly with research methods when they experience research through hands-on practice, authors Michael Boyle and Mike Schmierbach developed this text to demonstrate the relevance of research in professional roles and communication careers.

Along with its distinctive approach to research methods instruction, this text also serves as an enhanced glossary and a superior reference. Students can easily navigate key concepts and terminology, which are linked to practical exercises within the context of the instruction. In-unit activities and features provide numerous opportunities to delve further into topics covered in class, including:

Research in Depth – examples of a concept being used in scholarly research

Reflect and React – thought-provoking problems and issues that promote reflection and discussion

Voices from Industry – Q&As with professionals working in communication industries

End-of-unit activities – exercises that reinforce concepts and content

Online resources, including sample syllabi, test banks, and more, are available on the companion website: www.routledge.com/cw/boyle.Applied Communication Research Methods is a concise, engaging work that today’s students and industry practitioners will embrace and keep on-hand throughout their careers.