Communication Theory

Featuring contributed chapters from established and emerging communication theorists with varied cultural backgrounds and identities, Communication Theory: Racially Diverse and Inclusive Perspectives decenters traditional views of communication by highlighting perspectives from the global majority. The text deviates from a white-colonial-normative theoretical core to provide students with a more holistic exploration of communication theory.

The book helps readers understand how the communicative experiences of marginalized groups represent important theoretical frames necessary for a full, comprehensive view of communication. It offers innovative conceptions of communication theorizing centered in and through the perspectives of African American/Black, Latinx, Asian American, and Indigenous/First Nations people. Through the presentation of canonized theories alongside innovative, cutting-edge theories, the text challenges students to expand and enhance the ways in which they see, use, and apply communication theory.

A unique feature of the text is the inclusion of storied reflections―personal narratives that reveal scholars at various stages of their careers ruminating on their own experiences with theory. These reflections demonstrate how ethnic and racialized standpoints can inform and advance scholarship within the discipline.

Communication Theory presents an inclusive, holistic approach to communication theory and inspires continued exploration, research, and theory in the discipline. It can serve as a primary textbook as well as a companion volume to other textbooks on communication theory.

Chapters and contributors include:

Chapter 1 – Undocumented Critical Theory – Carlos Aguilar and Daniela Juarez
Chapter 2 – Black Feminist Thought – Marnel Niles Goins and Jasmine T. Austin
Chapter 3 – Cultural Contracts Theory – Ronald L. Jackson II and Gina Castle Bell
Chapter 4 – Conflict Face-Negotiation Theory in Intercultural-Interpersonal Contexts – Stella Ting-Toomey
Chapter 5 – Co-cultural Theory – Mark P. Orbe and Fatima Albrehi
Chapter 6 – Ethnic Communication Theory – Uchenna Onuzulike
Chapter 7 – Social Network Theory – Wenlin Liu
Chapter 8 – Ethnic-Racial Socialization and Communication – Mackensie Minniear
Chapter 9 – Strong Black Woman Collective Theory – Sharde M. Davis and Martinique K. Jones
Chapter 10 – Theory of Differential Adaptation – Antonio Tomas De La. Garza
Chapter 11 – Four-Faceted Model of Accelerating Leader Identity – Jeanetta D. Sims and Ed Cunliff
Chapter 12 – Culture-Centered Approach to Communicating Health – Mohan J. Dutta
Chapter 13 – Bilingual Health Communication (BHC) Model – Elaine Hsieh
Chapter 14 – Complicity Theory – Mark Lawrence McPhail
Chapter 15 – Womanist Rhetorical Theory – Dianna N. Watkins-Dickerson
Chapter 16 – Positive Deviance Approach – Arvind Singhal
Chapter 17 – Stuart Hall and Cultural Studies – Isabel Molina-Guzman
Chapter 18 – (Counter)Public Sphere Theory – Catherine R. Squires and Mark P. Orbe
Chapter 19 – Critical Media Effects – Srividya "Srivi" Ramasubramanian
Chapter 20 – Theory of Hyper(in)Visibility – Amber Johnson and Jade Petermon


Storied reflections include:

Living for This Stuff! – Mark P. Orbe
"Humph, but not for long!" – Jasmine T. Austin
Fascinations, Frameworks, and Knowledge Pauses – Jeanette D. Sims
Does It Really Work Like That? – Britney N. Gilmore
Black Masculinities Theory – Mark C. Hopson
It Hasn't Been What I Imagined – Ashlee Lambert
An Upward Journey and Sunwise Path – Dalaki Livingston
Communication Modalities―Behavior in Search of Theory – Dorothy L. Pennington
A Practitioner's Journey with Theory―Using Theories for Skill Building on the Frontlines of Organizations – Pavitra Kavya
"I'm Blackity Black, and I'm Black Y'all!" – Ajia Meux
The Magic of Mentors and Theory – Kristina Ruiz-Mesa
Making Ourselves Visible – Nickesia S. Gordon
Representation in Coming – Tianna L. Cobb
The Push and Pull of Connection Making – Scott E. Branton
Grappling with My Zonas Erroneas as a Double Outsider – Wilfredo Alvarez
Connecting and Disconnecting through Proyectos e Investigaciones – Virginia Sanchez
Hovering about Prevailing Theories – Alberto Gonzalez
Returning Home – B. Liahnna Stanley
Searching for Stuart Hall – Catherine R. Squires
The (Mis)Education of Race – David Stamps
Theory as Liberation – Elizabeth M. Lozano

Mark P. Orbe (Ph.D., Ohio University) is a professor of communication and diversity in the School of Communication at Western Michigan University, where he also is a faculty fellow in the Office of Institutional Equity. His teaching, research, and service interests focus on the inextricable relationship of culture, power, and communication as manifested in a variety of contexts. Jeanetta D. Sims (Ph.D., University of Oklahoma) is a professor in the College of Business Department of Marketing at the University of Central Oklahoma, where she serves as dean of the Jackson College of Graduate Studies and the University College. She is accredited in public relations. Along with leadership, her research focuses on persuasion/social influence, strategic communication, and diversity. She has coached and consulted with professionals and organizations on leadership, marketing communications, and diversity. Jasmine T. Austin (Ph.D., University of Oklahoma) is an assistant professor of organizational communication in the Department of Communication Studies at Texas State University. Her research focuses on socialization efforts and the influence that communication about historically marginalized identities (e.g., race, gender, etc.) have on members' experiences and future communication. Known for being the lead organizer for the African American Communication and Culture #ScholarStrike Conference, she has published in top-tier journals, including Management Communication Quarterly, Communication Studies, and Health Communication.