Communication studies - Definition and Overview

Communication studies (or Communications) is the academic discipline which studies communication; subdisciplines include animal communication, theories of communication, group communication, information theory, intrapersonal communication, interpersonal communication, marketing, organizational communication, propaganda, public affairs, public relations, speech communications, and telecommunications.

History

Various aspects of communicating have long been the subject of human study. In ancient Greece, the study of rhetoric, the art of effective speaking and persuasion, was a vital subject for students. In the early 20th century, many specialists began to study communication as a specific part of their academic disciplines. Communications began to emerge as a distinct academic field in the mid-20th century. Marshall McLuhan was one of the early pioneers. A critique of commodified communications emerged with the writings of Theodor W. Adorno and Guy Debord.