Product Description

Packed with thought-provoking examples, photos, vignettes, quotes, cases, and stories that spark students’ interest and challenge them to reassess existing viewpoints, the Sixth Edition of An Introduction to Intercultural Communication prepares today’s readers to successfully navigate our increasingly global community. Using a historical framework that places current topics in context, author Fred E. Jandt integrates media as a variable in advancing issues and ideas, offers full chapter on women, family, and children and retains his non-biased presentation of all cultures and ethnic groups.

New and Continuing Features:

• An environment-focused box in each chapter discusses how the environment relates to the book’s intercultural communication topics.
• Focus on Theory boxes ground the practical material in communication and social theory.
• Coverage of immigration has been expanded to reflect current developments.
• Domestic and global examples have been updated throughout.
• New and expanded Photo Essays illustrate the main concepts of the text, bringing key points to life for the reader.

Also Available:

• A NEW companion Web site can be found at www.sagepub.com/jandt6estudy.
• The password-protected Instructor site features thoughtful test questions, engaging student activities, sample syllabi, and PowerPoint presentations. The free Student site features Web activities and resources, study quizzes, e-Flashcards, and SAGE journal articles.
• An accompanying reader, Intercultural Communication: A Global Reader (SAGE, 2004; ISBN: 0-7619-2899-5), is also available and can be used alone or in conjunction with this text. The readings support the major concepts of cultural values, language, identities, peace, and globalization that are presented in this vital book.

Bundle Options - Explore discounted bundles available with this text. Our bundle prices are lower than the prices of most other Intercultural Communication texts alone! Please contact your Sales Representative for more information.

Customer Reviews (2)

Another great book
This is another book that is worth reading. It really introduces you to Intercultural Communications and give you an understanding of different cultures and aptitudes.

Great book, great author
This is a great book to learn about intercultural communication. It has lots of information, pictures, examples and stories that help you understand more about other cultures and ethnics.Good combination with a knowledgeable teacher! ;-) ... Read more

Product Description
Donna Kienzler shares the same vision for the book and research philosophy as Kitty.She uses a student-friendly writing style and strong design element to hold student’s attention.The ninth edition of Business and Communication by Donna Kienzler is a true leader in the business communication field. Beyond covering the broad scope of topics in both oral and written business communication, Locker’s text uses a student-friendly writing style and strong design element to hold student’s attention. Real-world examples and real business applications underscore the relevance and importance of the material presented to the classroom experience and to the students’ careers.The 9th edition also conveys the best possible advice to students through its research base; the author’s reputation as a contributor to this field of study lends an even greater element of “teachability” and relevance to this market-leading title.If schools stress critical thinking and professional development, show them this book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

shebanke
This is an older edition of the text book, but everything was still the same material. Chapters were just rearranged. Don't waste money on the newest edition, get the best deal you can. This was a perfect purchase and save me over $100.00 even with express shipping.

Great book just too expensive
The seller is awesome. I order my book on a Friday and it was at my house on Saturday. Thank you so much. The only thing I didn't like it was so expensive.

Great Book for Great People
This book was absolutely in mint condition.It was extremely hard for me to buy one from the local bookstores because they did not have any.I appreciate you sending it so fast.

Textbook for school came on time.
The most important demand for this textbook was for it to arrive before class started and it did. Secondly, it had to be readable and it was.I was very satisfied with my purchase.

Execellent Service
Juliesbookcottage is fabulous!! This lady takes care of business. She does not waste time. She filled my order quickly and I got my new book just as advertised, with a FREE upgrade to Priority Mail. I have to say that this had to have been a God intervention. When I placed my order, I couldn't afford to pay for priority shipping, but I needed my book in order to start class prepared the following week. I'm an adult student returning to night school to finish my degree. I even got a personal handwritten note from Julie inside my book. Ms. Julie is a wonderful blessing and encouragement! Please order from her. ... Read more

Product Description
Designed to help readers learn how to successfully use literature and other sources in writing effective papers, COMMUNICATION RESEARCH: STRATEGIES AND SOURCES, Seventh Edition, demystifies the research process by helping students master library skills, scholarly writing, and the latest research technology tools. In addition, this communication research text places special emphasis on using library resources in the literature search as it helps readers strategize, develop, and complete communication research. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Essential for Students in Communication Studies
I hadn't used this text since an earlier edition--now the 7th edition--and I liked this book as much as ever.

The first edition was cutting edge, but I expected this version to be a dull edge.I figured that by this point I know enough about communication research that the book had nothing to teach me.I was wrong.This updated version has something to offer anyone studying communication.

Although designed for a basic undergraduate college level, this book can work for upper and even graduate students new to communication studies.The authors have provided an excellent reference guide to help students in communication to navigate the field, conduct data base searches, use all kinds of reference materials, make sense of research articles, and the become involved in the process of research.

Well done! ... Read more

Product Description
Your search for parenting tips that actually improve your family dynamics is over. While other parenting resources offer communication models or discipline techniques, this powerful, practical booklet offers the unique skills and perspective of the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) process. NVC stresses the importance of putting compassionate connection first to create a mutually respectful, enriching family dynamic filled with clear, heartfelt communication. An exceptional resource for parents, parent educators, families and anyone else who works with children.

For over 40 years Dr. Marshall Rosenberg has taught NVC to parents, families, children and teachers. Parents around the world have used his advice to deepen family connections, move past conflicts and improve communication. His revolutionary approach helps parents motivate children to cooperate without either the threat of punishment or the promise of reward. Learn how to model compassionate communication in the home to help your children successfully resolve conflicts and express themselves clearly. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Quick easy motivational read
As suppliment to the Non-Violent Communication book, or by itself, I find this little book a focus on applying NVC to your children.And I find that I re-read it about every 6 months as refresher, and as my children grow and reach new developmental phases.

recommend
valuable information presented in clear, personally documented language for parents or other caregivers of children concerning conflicts and effective non punitive discipline, emphasizing concern rather than "power over".

Highly Recommend
I would highly recommend these books for all. These books are helping me connect with others and communicate heart to heart.

Like Jesus, but with shoes
This little gem could serve as a useful entry point to Rosenberg's sometimes arcane philosophy, since parenting is the one relationship we can't simply walk away from. You're motivated.

In this day and age, overt prejudice is shrinking, but there are a few that persist: The belief that children don't deserve the same respect as adults is almost universal, as Rosenberg shows early in this book. What if your child was your equal in some important way, that allowed you to still be their guide, but not their owner?

With any luck, you who are reading this will someday be dead and your child will not. Children are our replacements, and as such, they want the exact same thing that we want: to grant us a kind of immortality. There is not, therefore, any basis for competition between parent and child. There is no conflict of interest.

Master that in regards to parenting, and you may find that you can use it everywhere. Where is Jesus today, or Thoreau, or Ghandi? This is what "Advanced Getting Along" looks like in the 21st century.

not worth the time and money
surprised the book was thin and very short.quick read in less than 15 min.i liked the title however did not really get anything i didn't kinda already know.
it did spark an intrest to pass it along to another, however not worth the time and money to buy and ship ... Read more

Product Description
THE HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW PAPERBACK SERIES is designed to bring today's managers and professionals the fundamental information they need to stay competitive in a fast-moving world.Here are the landmark ideas that have established the Harvard Business Review as required reading for ambitious business people in organizations around the globe.

With topics that include how to run a successful meeting, change frontline employees' behavior, and build effective management teams, Harvard Business Review on Effective Communication offers useful tips for all businesspeople ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Basic communication
Sometimes it helps to have a little refresher on the basics and this book is a wonderful one.

Drivel
Absolutely uninteresting, I'm returning it. Over the years, I've bought, oh probably like a dozen of these books (from this series, I mean) and, with the exception of Managing High-Tech Enterprise, found them completely unhelpful and uninteresting. Always self-contradictory, unintelligent, and droning, they remind me of the "self-help" book genre -- which is to say, politically-correct, vapid tripe that the publishers probably believe will sell in any quantities and no matter how bad, simply because people look forever for advice and will probably buy and keep buying. Very disappointing; I'm through with this series.

Solid and Insightful (as expected)
Didn't get five stars because some of the articles are a little dated.Updates from a time after e-mail was invented would be helpful.Fernando Bartelome's article is worth the price of the book all by itself.

Best Comunications Book Ever!
Talk about efficive.This book has increased my comunication effictiveness 110%.The articles are very inciteful.Before I read this book my meetings went terrible.I was rarely a project lead.This book showed me how terribily incompetant I really was.The book Effective Comunications completly undressed me.Then, I let its articals dress me with confidence.People pay attention in my meetings and they are productive in a new way.

Breadth of articles that help business communication work
Though the collection of articles may at first seem sort of old (the oldest is from 1957), the content is very apropos for today. While building a Training Roadmap for our company, I found articles that I think will be extremely useful for a wide range of positions.

What first attracted me was the article on "Listening to People", where I found the clearest presentation on why our listening fails.Even better, it tells how we can improve our listening as a skill that has to be learned.

The next article on "How to Run a Meeting" was enlightening, almost literally!I rushed into my boss' office with new insights on why certain meetings had to be held and how they should run.

I haven't read word-for-word the whole book, rather I've read some others and skimmed some others.That sampling seems to indicate they're all of the same quality. ... Read more

Product Description
The third edition of Human Communication is an engaging reflection of the contemporary field of communication studies. The authors’ writing mantra ("Make It Smart; Keep It Real") leads to a text that strikes a practical balance of definitive content and everyday application. To "make it smart," the authors read hundreds of articles from mainstream communication journals. To "keep it real," the authors synthesized their findings so that they resonate with the challenges and goals of today's typical basic course. Every chapter features skill-building, critical thinking, innovative pedagogy, 21st century examples, and lively writing that is respectful of the student reader. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Perfect
The book was perfect! I am doing well in my class and the teacher approved of the book!

not happy, wouldn't recommend
The item was in good condition. However it was a text book and I did not receive the item until my 3rd week of school (yes I ordered it when school started)so I ended up having to buy the book through other means. Not only that but I emailed to request that the order be canceled before it was ever even shipped off and included an explanation of me having to purchase the book already. Not only did I not have my order canceled but I did not even get a return email telling me if they would or would not cancel the order. I emailed twice, so I know the email was received. I would only recommend this seller if you are buying eggs and expect them to be chickens by the time you get them.

Human Communications revie
Good product that was shipped to me in a very timely fashion. Had alot of highlights and wriiting in the book but a good get for the dollar value

excellent
the product was in ecellent condition. exactly hoe the seller had discribed the product. i would recomened this seller to anyone looking t buy any item.

Human Communication
I am well pleased with the book i recieved;It was on time withouit any delay. I would recommend this individual to any person who is in need of a book he may have in his/her posession.

Highly Recommended,
ms.goldengirl ... Read more

Product Description

A Concise Guide to Technical Communication takes a situational approach, emphasizing issues of audience and purpose for any technical communication task. The first text of its kind to acknowledge that most technical communication today takes place electronically, this Concise Guide offers a seamless connection between the new and old worlds of technical communication.

Customer Reviews (4)

English class book
This was required reading for my English class.A very concise book that is a great refresher for someone who has been out of school for 16 years!

Good Reference Book
Our professor chose this book not only because of its content, but also for its relatively inexpensive price.It was a great textbook: concise, easy to read and comprehend, and gave some excellent examples. If you are a technical writing student or even a practicing technical writer, I would recommend this book. I will not sell my copy. It's a keeper, and I believe I'll be referring to it for years to come.

Updated Edition Needed!
I've used this textbook in my technical communication classes since it was first published. The text is concisely written with plenty of examples and exercises to help students understand practical online and hardcopy applications used in technical writing. However, the text edition needs to be updated. Since September 2004 I've had to heavily supplement my classes with writing applications that apply to current industry standards. My students do not know the difference, but I do. A new edition is in order! I'm planning to switch to another textbook if a newer edition is not available for September 2006.

Concise Guide 2nd Ed.
Book was nice and it came in the mail quick like a bunny. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (29)

tech comm book
I am using this book for a technical writing class. I find it very helpful. There are checklists at the end of each chapter to let you check if you have the necessary components in the documents you write. I will be keeping this book in hopes that it will help me in my professional career.

A comprehensive text on a complex subject
I needed this text to prepare a course plan. Amazon lets me see the table of contents and sample the quality of the writing. This was the best of the 5 I looked at. I purchased Edition 7 for $0.01 plus shipping because Edition 9 goes for $95.00.

The textbook
Seller had the book shipped and delivered promptly; the day before I needed it. That was excellent timing considering I ordered it later than I should have.

My only problem with the book was the relatively high cost. This is attributed to its very recent publication date for this edition, though there is not much changed from the 8th or earlier editions. One will find the book to be somewhat useless once reading/attempting to learn from it; most articles inside are common sense or have nothing truly to do with Technical (science, engineering, math, etc) Writing but more with Business (marketing, sales pitches, stock exchange letters, useless etc) Writing.

However, the book is required for an Engineering technical writing course at a university/college, it is just a shame the book does not live up to its intended purpose. The layouts, drafts, and Intentions purposes of the book, as well as being a "stand alone MLA handbook" makes up for the fact that the author/university relation is a bit lacking.

This Seller however, did a superb job. 5 Stars all the way.

Technical Communication - Markel
The book arrived promptly, which was important since another copy from a different web book store never arrived and the fact it was out of stock was not communicated to me in time...I went a week without a book..Amazon got me the copy that I have in about three days.Very nice.The condition of the book is as good as any college used book I've ever received.. Better than most.I would definitely suggest others buy their texts on Amazon.com.As always, I am a satisfied customer.

8th Edition!!
When you click to see 'inside', they show you the cover of the 9th edition book. THIS IS NOT THE 9TH EDITION. THIS IS THE 8th!! I unfortunately made this mistake. ... Read more

Product Description
This book offers students a task-based introduction to Computer-Mediated Communication and the impact of the internet on social interaction. Divided into four parts which require students to learn, (theory), critique, (current issues), explore, (methods), and reflect, (practice), the book aims to:

· Provide a foundation to the social and communicative nature of information and communication technologies

· Enable students to engage with the key theoretical issues associated with CMC

· Equip students with the necessary research and technical skills as a stimulus to independent enquiry.

In spite of the rapidly increasing interest in Internet Studies and CMC and the introduction of many university courses in the area, no specialised, introductory textbook exists. This coursebook responds to the need for such a text. Aimed primarily at communication students, this book would also be useful as a sourcebook for students of media, sociology, psychology, and English Language Studies.

The authors have also created a companion website at http://www.com.washington.edu/cmc

Customer Reviews (2)

Outdated
The links in this textbook on communication don't work.For a book on current technology, the information is dated.

different usages are analysed
The book is a serious attempt at analysing how the Internet has affected social dynamics between people. The authors look at issues like virtual identities. This relative anonymity of the net and global reach of the net, often with quick feedback, is unique in history. How and why do people assume a new virtual identity? Various reasons are studied, including the rise of scams.

We also see communities on the net. How are these different from real world instances, where people must meet each other in the flesh? The virtuality gives the dynamics of the net interactions a fascinating scope.

Pornography is another aspect which has driven net usage. Especially if a user is in a locality where physical porn is banned. ... Read more

Product Description
For more than two decades, the type book of choice for design professionals and students

Typographic design has been a field in constant motion since Gutenberg first invented movable type. Staying abreast of recent developments in the field is imperative for both design professionals and students. Thoroughly updated to maintain its relevancy in today's digital world, Typographic Design: Form and Communication, Fourth Edition continues to provide a compre-hensive overview of every aspect of designing with type, now in full color.

This Fourth Edition of the bestselling text in the field offers detailed coverage of such essential topics as the anatomy of letters and type families, visual communications and design aesthetics, and designing for legibility. Supplementing these essential topics are theoret-ical and structural problem-solving approaches by some of the leading design educators across the United States. Unwrapping the underlying concepts about typographic form and message, Typographic Design, Fourth Edition includes four pictorial timelines that illustrate the evolution of typography and writing within the context of world events - from the origins of writing more than 5,000 years ago to contemporary Web site and electronic page design.

New features include:

Full-color treatment throughout

A new ancillary Web site containing resources for self-learners, students and professors (www.typographicdesign4e.com)

Two new chapters: The Typographic Grid and Typographic Design Process

An updated design education section that includes recent examples of projects assigned by leading design educators

New case studies that showcase design for Web sites and animated typography projects

Case studies detailing examples of visual identification systems, environmental graphics, book and magazine design, Web site design, type in motion, and wayfinding graphics

Updated coverage of digital type technology ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

books of type
I got my book on time for class, so I was very happy.I actually like reading this book. it full of illustrations, that help you as you read along. I recommend it

Great value
I had to buy this book for my typography class and it was about $60 at my campus bookstore. The book has history, really good examples and great lessons for typography. It is one that will be making its way onto my bookshelf after this class and will not be sold back to the bookstore. Having two bachelor's degrees and buying a lot of textbooks in the past six years, I wish there was more text in the book, but the book truly gives the emphasis to the designs. I definitely recommend it.

Typographic Design: Form and Communication
Excellent resource, required for my class in Principles of Typography. Well written and illustrated, user friendly, makes me anticipate the reading assignments.

Great condition and it was a great price too!
Im a college student so of course I looked around to find the best price, and this one definitely was the way to go! And it was brand new! you cant beat that!
Great item. Brand New. Perfect condition. Shipped quickly. All around perfect.

Typographic Design: Form and Communication
Thank you for sending my order to me on time cause I really needed it for class. I have learned a lot from it. ... Read more

Product Description
Tailored to the needs of professionals, Guide to Managerial Communication is a brief, practical text for effective written and oral communication in a managerial, business, government, or professional context. The Eighth Edition adds contemporary content throughout.
KEY TOPICS: Communication Strategy; Writing: Composing Efficiently; Writing: Macro Issues; Speaking: Verbal Structure; Speaking: Visual Aids; Speaking: Nonverbal Skills; Inclusive Language; Grammar and Usage; Punctuation.
  A practical reference for all professionals who need to increase their written or verbal communication skills.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Dryest Book Ever --- Yet, One of the Most Essential!
I picked this book up for a required Communications course in my MBA program.Prior to going back to school, I spent about 10 years in the workforce.So, when I opened this book, I was able to relate a lot of what I read to what I learned "on the job".That said, I recognize this book as a well-rounded and very detailed "communications manual".Some may say that a lot of the content is obvious, but what I say to them is that it may be obvious because they learned from experience.For others, it may not be quite so obvious; e.g., what to wear for television interviews.That said, this book is to the point and cuts out the fat; what a dictionary is for words is what this book is for communications approaches.

Great reference
This book is a great reference for business writing.Any one in school or in business should read this book. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (20)

I can hear clearly now
Clear, concise and accurate communication in aviation is key for safety!This is a good guide for private and commercial pilots on radio telephony and phrasiology.

Excellent service from Amazon; A MUST book for pilots
Thanks Amazon for a very very fast delivery of my books.Sincerely appreciate that because I need them for my class.

The book is great and would even be better if there'll be more exercises; i.e., ATC/pilot exchanges.

A must-have book for student pilots.

Thank you!

Pretty good, not awesome
This is a good book to read if you're a student pilot and need to become more comfortable with ATC communications.It served that purpose for me and was worth the money.

The do's and don't's of aviation radio communications
I am a ham radio operator and quite comfortable talking on the radio, yet I found this book to be a valuable resource in how to properly communicate with the tower and air traffic control.I would expect it to be that much more valuable to someone who is not familiar with radio procedures or to whom the prospect of keying a microphone and talking to someone is scary.It covers all the way from your first communication with Ground and then the Tower, to Flight Watch, Flight Service Stations, Class G through Class A airspace, and how to announce your intentions at an airport not serviced by a control tower -- and even airports serviced by a control tower at a different airport.I recommend this book to anyone considering flight training.

A Great Resource!
I am an aviation enthusiast with minimal flight communication training.This book is written using plain english to explain pilot to ATC communications.The maps, diagrams and illustrations are incredibly helpful as well. ... Read more

Product Description
You can feel it when it hits you. Your face flushes and your vision narrows. Your heartbeat increases as judgmental thoughts flood your mind. Your anger has been triggered, and you're about to say or do something that will likely make it worse.

You have an alternative. By practicing the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) process you can use that anger to serve a specific, life-enriching purpose. It tells you that you're disconnected from what you value and that your needs are not being met. Rather than managing your anger by suppressing your feelings or blasting someone with your judgments, Marshall Rosenberg shows you how to use anger to discover what you need, and then how to meet your needs in constructive ways.

This booklet will help you apply these four key truths:
- People or events may spark your anger but your own judgments are its cause
- Judging others as "wrong" prevents you from connecting with your unmet needs
- Getting clear about your needs helps you identify solutions satisfying to everyone
- Creating strategies focused on meeting your needs transforms anger into positive actions ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

More sound approach to dealing with anger
This book's nontraditional approach to "anger management" provides a deeper look at the role of anger and underlying needs while maintaining the essence of personal responsibility.I'm impressed.

Great ideas but could have been better written
This book shares some great ideas about the sources of our anger and what to do about it. Rosenberg simplifies the concept of anger and shows us how to take ownership and control of our own emotions. He explains his ideas in such an easy to understand way, that I believe most people can gain real insight into their own behavior. This book is written from a question and answer session with Marshall Rosenberg. Although the book shares great ideas about anger, I would have liked it better if it had been written in a more didactic style. It is still a bargain at $6.95!!

Very relevant
Very important and relevant book.
Very good explanation of anger and how to deal with it.

Really worth reading it
In such few pages you can be taught of how to be conscious of the really core at your anger.
I do recommend it, even when you haven't read all Non violent communication system.

Big help to parents
I got this book to help me with my temper outbursts with my children, and found that it can be applied to everyone. It's one thing to read the book, and another to put it into practise, everyday, no matter how tired you are. Really quick and easy to read. ... Read more

Product Description
Overview:Business Communication: Building Critical Skills provides a unique approach to a hands-on course, devised and created in its previous editions by Kitty Locker, with the assistance of a community college colleague, Stephen Kaczmarek. The innovative module structure allows instructors to focus on specific skills and provides greater flexibility for short courses and different teaching approaches. While grounded in solid business communication fundamentals, this text takes a strong workplace activity orientation which helps students build the writing, speaking, and listening skills that are crucial for success in the 21st-century workplace. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Great Service
The service I received was outstanding. I ordered the book a couple of days before my class started. The book was shipped the same day. I received it within three business days.

This book is very helpful. It is an easy read with current examples that allow for a better understanding of the text. The course I'm taking is an online course. This book has exciting case studies and very colorful. It is a great reference book when writing business letters or memos.

Borrow only!
This book manages to do a lot of talking about very (VERY) simple things.

The actual full body examples of different types of memos, letters, resumes and cover letters are helpful though.

Because of this, if you need it for a class, I recommend simply borrowing a copy from someone else or renting it on [...]--avoid buying.

Amazon, I really appreciate you!
I needed my books fast because my semester had already started. I stumbled across Amazon.com and was pleasantly surprised. My books were just like new and I recieved them on time. Just in time! Thanks Amazon.

Business Communications Building Critical Skills 2/e
Great book.Easy to read with lots of information and not so long chapters.Lots of review at the end of the chapters and critical thinking too! Also plenty of sample problems or examples to better help you.

same book for FIU
for FIU students going to COM 3110, this is the book you need. FIU says you need a "special" edition, but the two books are page for page identical. The FIU version has an internet access option to sample quizzes but the other students tell me that site is constantly down. ... Read more

Product Description
For undergraduate and MBA course in Management Communication, Writing, or Oral Presentations courses, and Executive Seminars or Workshops.Guide to Managerial Communication is a clear, concise and practical reference to effective written and oral communication in a managerial, business, government, or professional context. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

almost worth it
I couldn't believe how teeny tiny this book was when it came to my house.I passed the management course I was taking, so I guess this book little book was beneficial, but now I would love to get rid it.

Not worth the money.
This $50 book resembles a pamphlet more than a book. It is a small, softcover book -with very flimsy covers. The price tag is a huge ripoff. Be warned, you will be disappointed with this purchase.

Must-Have Quick Reference
Munter's book is short in length but long on content. I purchased this book as part of an MBA class on Executive Communication, but have found myself referring to it for everything from a quick memo to formal presentations. This would make an excellent gift for new managers or anyone wanting to improve the quality and efficacy of their communication.

Very helpful
This book was very helpful. Communication is the most important tool people can have, and so many people are so bad at it. This guide gives great tips for how to be a better and effective communicator.

basic and simple
This book is easy to read and understand.You don't have to run to the dictionary every five words.I recommend it to any interested in communications.The concepts work in all situations, not just business.It was a great help. ... Read more

Product Description
Winner, 2009 Eleanor Maccoby Book Award in Developmental Psychology, presented by the American Psychological Association. and Honorable Mention, Literature, Language & Linguistics category, 2008 PROSE Awards presented by the Professional/Scholarly Publishing Division of the Association of American Publishers.

Human communication is grounded in fundamentally cooperative, even shared, intentions. In this original and provocative account of the evolutionary origins of human communication, Michael Tomasello connects the fundamentally cooperative structure of human communication (initially discovered by Paul Grice) to the especially cooperative structure of human (as opposed to other primate) social interaction.

Tomasello argues that human cooperative communication rests on a psychological infrastructure of shared intentionality (joint attention, common ground), evolved originally for collaboration and culture more generally. The basic motives of the infrastructure are helping and sharing: humans communicate to request help, inform others of things helpfully, and share attitudes as a way of bonding within the cultural group. These cooperative motives each created different functional pressures for conventionalizing grammatical constructions. Requesting help in the immediate you-and-me and here-and-now, for example, required very little grammar, but informing and sharing required increasingly complex grammatical devices.

Drawing on empirical research into gestural and vocal communication by great apes and human infants (much of it conducted by his own research team), Tomasello argues further that humans' cooperative communication emerged first in the natural gestures of pointing and pantomiming. Conventional communication, first gestural and then vocal, evolved only after humans already possessed these natural gestures and their shared intentionality infrastructure along with skills of cultural learning for creating and passing along jointly understood communicative conventions. Challenging the Chomskian view that linguistic knowledge is innate, Tomasello proposes instead that the most fundamental aspects of uniquely human communication are biological adaptations for cooperative social interaction in general and that the purely linguistic dimensions of human communication are cultural conventions and constructions created by and passed along within particular cultural groups.

Jean Nicod Lectures
A Bradford Book ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Language and Theory of Mind
This is one of the few books I've read that changed the way I think. The notions of "cooperative attention", "common ground" and "shared intent" are profound and leave me thinking and wondering. Let's see if I can describe one, common ground. As I see it, in a conversation participants share a framework, a "common ground". For example, the common ground may be the task "preparation for dinner". This framework permits many shortcuts. For example, common ground makes pointing an effective and informative means of communication. In the context of preparation for dinner, pointing to the salt may mean "please bring that to me so I can cook". Tomasseloargues that the 3 essential features derive from human social groups being inherently cooperative. An example would be a hunting party, where a single plan could be established and differential roles assigned. Tomasselo argues that ape societies are not cooperative, and disputes claims of cooperation from primate behavior research.

One of my interests is "Theory of Mind". Tomasselo argues (counter to his thinking 15 years ago) that apes do have a theory of mind. This means, roughly, that apes recognize that conspecifics (or humans) see the world differently than they do and are separate agents with separate goals and desires. The notion of "shared intent" rests on theory of mind. Tomasselo contends that apes do not have shared intent, due to the lack of natural cooperation in their social structure. Our presumed ancestors possessed both theory of mind and shared intent, necessary precursors for language development.

One of the most surprising Tomasselo ideas is that human language developed not from primate vocalization but from primate gesture and pantomime. He successfully demonstrates that primate vocalization is rigid, while pointing and pantomime have many key features of proto-language. He shows that pointing and pantomime serve important proto-language roles in 12 month old children. He is very convincing. The difficulty, for me, is how in our ancestors language made the jump from gestural to vocal. This seems a large jump.

I have two small quibbles with the book. One is that I would like to have heard a more direct account of the relation of "shared intent" and "theory of mind". Tomasselo is an expert on theory of mind -- he publishes reviews, etc, -- but the topic is not explicitly introduced. Second, as an outsider I would like to have a more explicit history of these ideas. For example, the contributions of Wittgenstein and Grise. While these writers are frequently cited with reverence, the history of these remarkable ideas is not presented.

Important book
M Tomasello is one of the most important thinkers in comparative development . Anyone interested in communication , child development and linguistics will find this a wonderful journey into reading about ccurent thinking .

Best in the hot Evo-of-language field
This is a really good book.It is the best among the current evolution of language books.And it is an easy reading excursion into the attentional and gestural dynamics of great apes and children. Although intended for an academic audience, it still retains the feel of its origins in a series of lectures.For those who don't know Michael Tomasello, he is a quasi institution in his own right now in his academic niche at the cognitive, cultural, and linguistic intersection of the developmental abilities of apes and children.From his position at the Max Planck Institute in Leipzig, his publishing and research outputs are prodigious.In comparison to his earlier books this one is cleaner and covers more ground.Like other authors writing on the origin of language, the key issue is the origin and effects of cooperation.His new twist is to relax the altruistic nub of cooperation into observed cases of collaboration where participants happen to be focused on the same goal at the same time.In some ways the book restates classic Tomasello arguments, but they appeared clearer, more succinct, and better researched. The arguments on common ground backed up by the work of Herbert Clark (Using Language) made the analysis of cooperative situations make much more sense. His long chapter on syntax in an evolutionary context was a treat and well argued.Language change, common conceptual ground as a wider form of joint attention, and the the possible requirements for a shift to helpful expectations in forming the Gricean communicative intention were welcome new emphases.

The evolution and origins of language appears to be one of those flash fires in the intellectual landscape in this decade.It's an exciting time to watch the sinews of communication be carved out of pragmatics, the baselines of the abilities of chimpanzees and bonobos, and the hints in the 6 million year evolutionary story of hominins.Compared to other evolution of language authors such as Hurford and Burling, I notice more similarities than differences, but I found that Tomasello fills in more gaps in the story.Just the anecdotes of research alone make the book fascinating.Noteworthy besides the insights attributed to Herbert Clark were those of William Croft on language change.I've grown to feel lucky that we have the institution of Tomasello, but I was still surprised at how this book delivered.

Wittgenstein Meets Sociobiology
Michael Tomasello is perhaps the consummate product of contemporary sociobiology. A tenet of sociobiology is that we can understand the behavior of a species by comparing and contrasting with closely related species, and with species that have found similar means for solving their social problems. Tomasello offers us deep insights into human communication and learning by comparing and contrasting our behavior with that of our nearest evolutionary relatives, the great apes.

Tomasello is not only a creative and incisive scientist, but also a learned intellectual, who is at ease bringing philosophical issues to bear on complex questions in behavioral science. In this book, we not only find out about human communication, but also are rewarded with an appreciation of the philosophy of the great Ludwig Wittgenstein. Wittgenstein is a difficult philosopher because he writes in quasi-aphorisms and follows something like the Socratic Method in asking questions rather than answering them. A good example is the quotation from the Philosophical Investigations with which Tomasello's book starts: "Point to a piece of paper. And now point to its shape---now to its color---now to its number... How did you do it?" Wittgenstein's point is that gestures as a form of communication are primary and part of our essence as humans. They are not translations of verbal linguistic structures into visual form. As Wittgenstein says in his unpublished notes (The Big Typescript, 2005[1933]), "What we call meaning must be connected with the primitive language of gestures."

Tomasello takes Wittgenstein literally: we share with chimpanzees and other apes the capacity to communicate by gesture, so it is likely that this was a capacity possessed by our most recent common ancestor. "My central claim," Tomasello writes (p. 2), "is that to understand how humans communicate...using a language...we must first understand how humans communicate...using natural gestures. Indeed, my evolutionary hypothesis will be that the first truly human forms of communication were pointing and pantomiming." Tomasello does not prove this thesis (if it can be proved at all), but rather uses the differences between gesture in apes and humans to develop a story of why humans catapulted so far beyond the apes in the use of communicative tools.

Tomasello's hypothesis from a careful study in contrasts between the role of gesturing in human and non-human primate societies is that "there must be some fairly specific connections between the fundamentally cooperative structure of human communication...and the especially cooperative structure of human, as opposed to other primate, social interaction and culture in general." (p. xi). Humans communicate because they want to help one another, he asserts, and a highly flexible system of communication is more helpful than a series of pants and grunts.

Tomasello gives a number of compelling examples contrasting human and other primate communication. Here is one: "When a whimpering chimpanzee child is searching for her mother," he writes, "it is almost certain that all of the other chimpanzees in the immediate area know this. But some if nearby female knows where the mother is, she will not tell the searching child, even though she is perfectly capable of extending her arm in a kind of pointing gesture" (p .5). Human communication, he argues, is a fundamentally cooperative enterprise, dependent upon deep commonalties in the consciousness of humans, including a common conceptual ground and cooperative communicative motives.

This human commonality is what Tomasello calls "shared intentionality": "The proposal is thus that human cooperative communication...is one instance...of a uniquely human cooperative activity relying on shared intentionality." At this point Tomasello relies on Gilbert and Searle, who are fine philosophers but whose theory of "collective intentionality" I think is completely without merit. Neither the conceptual arguments nor the empirical examples provided by these philosophers (and other of this school of thought) are compelling, and I believe that a combination of game theory, gene-culture coevolutionary theory, and the psycho-social theory of norms is a better starting point to understand how individual intentional agents succeed in coordinating their activities so as to produce human cooperation.

The problem with the theory of collective intentionality is that it depicts cooperation as a process in which all participants have no motives except for that of accomplishing the "team goal," whereas in fact this is rarely even remotely the case. The triumph of human cooperation is that people manage to coordinate their activities even though they generally have highly heterogeneous motives. For Tomasello, humans developed language because they want to help one another. However, it is not clear what fitness benefit comes from helping others, and the notion that we developed huge brains, complex voice boxes and its associated aural production physiology because we "want to help each other" is implausible. Indeed, among the more prominent predilections of humans is to lie, cheat, and attempt to free-ride on the prosocial behavior of others.

I find it more plausible to posit that human language flourished when humans became sufficiently adept at punishing social miscreants (gossip, shunning, beating, ostracizing) that it became plausible that communication would be truthful, on balance, and the detection and punishing of untruthful utterances could occur with high probability. Once the veracity of communication was ensured, it became possible to coordinate much more complex activities (e.g., warfare, conflict adjudication, hunting strategy, complex verbal agreements of intention), and individuals with the best command of language were afforded special privileges, including more and higher quality offspring, thus justifying the costs of developing the communication physiology.

I am not saying that Tomasello is wrong in stressing the humans have an inordinately highly developed propensity to help each other for purely altruistic reasons. They clearly do, and the predisposition towards prosocial behavior is one of the preconditions of human cooperation. However, the notion that language developed because people like to help each other and have a collective, or shared, intentionality is not a plausible basis for a theory of human communication. Human society is just more complicated than that.
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Product Description
In Communication as...: Perspectives on Theory, editors Gregory J. Shepherd, Jeffrey St. John, and Ted Striphas bring together a collection of 27 essays that explores the wide range of theorizing about communication, cutting across all lines of traditional division in the field. The essays in this text are written by leading scholars in the field of communication theory, with each scholar employing a particular stance or perspective on what communication theory is and how it functions. In essays that are brief, argumentative, and forceful, the scholars propose their perspective as a primary or essential way of viewing communication with decided benefits over other views. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A different type of communication theory text...
Something needs to be said to counterbalance the 1-star review of this book by someone not even in the communication discipline. This book is not your typical communication theory book, in the best possible way. This book is not a laundry list of outdated communication theories. It is a metaphorical journey through many views on communication. Significant authors in the communication (WITHOUT THE "S") field talk about how they "see" communication. This book is a fabulous text for exploring a multitude of views on what communication is. The authors and editors leave the decision of what view is most appropriate for you, up to you. A very nice book overall.

Not for Education majors
I bought this book for my Education Specialist class, and it was useless.But, that's the school's fault.Maybe if you're actually a Communications major it might be more helpful, but the book sure does repeat itself a lot.Also, lots of "fillers" are used to share simple ideas. ... Read more

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a very poor example and learning tool
This could have been better with more exercises and tips.too long and too much about the authors stories

Highly Recommended
Highly recommended and a must read book for professionals involved in business writing.

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This popular, comprehensive introduction to speech communication skillfully blends theory, current research and skills, while emphasizing the connections between communication and our daily lives.

Unique in its integrated “connections” theme and streamlined pedagogy, this book introduces the basic principles of public speaking, interpersonal communication and group communication. The constant application of a solid theoretical foundation to everyday communication through relevant examples, thought-provoking questions and boxed features stress Communication Competence.

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Customer Reviews (15)

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This seller was very punctual and item was received in great condition.
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Pleased
This was a great book and it came to me in great condition! I got a B in my speech class and I am very happy!

Like NEW!
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Communication Text book
The contents of textbook itself is great.Needed this textbook for an online class.I finally received it one week after the class started.The seller claimed it was in "New" condition, when in fact the book was used.There were erasure marks in the text, scotch tapped tear on cover, frayed corners.Definitely not a new book.Do not recommend the integrity of the seller.Too bad!This was my first experience using Amazon.Not very impressed.

Great book
Needed this book for my class. It was easy to understand and had a better price than the bookstore. ... Read more

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Human Communication: The Basic Course surveys the broad field of human communication, giving attention to theory, research, and skill development. This book provides an in-depth look at the concepts, principles, and skills of human communication, emphasizing public speaking, interpersonal communication, and small group communication.

Customer Reviews (5)

Quick delivery and in brand new condition for used book price
My delivery was very fast. The book was half the price of a new one and it appears to
to be new.

Have not recieved it yet!
I am still waiting on this book to be sent to me.I have not recieved it at all, not even a notice yet saying where it is, or if it was not shipped.My class is comuing to an end soon and I have not recieved the book.I had to pay for one from the college ($190.59), and I was not plaining on doing that at all.So, could you please send me back my money for the book, I do not need the book any more, since I had to purchase one from the college.I would have been charaged to my account the book fee too; so inturn I have paid for this book twice.Could you please refund me my money back? Another option could you give me a gift card with the amount that is due back to me (the college book fee and the cost that I had paid thru Amazon.com) so I can get my next books from.I am truely disapointed, because this is the first time that this has ever happened to me with all the stuff that I have ordered from you guys.So, please help me out this this.Like I said this is the first time that this has ever happened to me, so, please can you all make this right again?

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Human Communication
Need this for my speech class.Has a lot of information.Nice format.

sweet
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comunication in our world
althought this book gives off important info, it leaves us w/ a desire to want and know more. our minds are expanded and challenged we discover a new way of thinking and comunicating with others. ... Read more