The Communication Age: Connecting and Engaging

by Autumn Edwards, Chad C. Edwards, Shawn T. Wahl, Scott A. Myers

Overview

The Communication Age: Connecting and Engaging, Fourth Edition introduces readers to the foundational concepts and essential skills of effective communication, with a strong emphasis on the impact of technology in our increasingly interconnected world. This new Fourth Edition helps readers become involved in our diverse global community and learn how to apply key principles of effective communication—whether incorporating media, technology, or traditional face-to-face speech communication—to foster civic engagement for a better future.

Also available in SAGE Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality SAGE textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Learn more about 978-1-0718-9094-3, The Communication Age - Vantage Learning Platform, Fourth Edition.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781071824535
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	03/01/2023
Edition description:	Fourth Edition
Pages:	528
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Autumn P. Edwards (Ph D, Ohio University) is an associate professor in the School of Communication at Western Michigan University. Her scholarly interests include interpersonal communication, communication and technology, and communication theory. Her research focuses on the influence of individuals’ personally held theories of communication on aspects of community life, relational health, and personal well-being. Recent published work appears in journals such as the Journal of Family Communication, Communication Studies, Health Communication, Communication Research Reports, Communication Education, and The Journal of Computer Mediated Communication and in several edited books. She is the recipient of an Outstanding Teaching Award and the Kim Giffin Research Award from the University of Kansas and was designated a Claude Kantner Research Fellow at Ohio University.

Chad Edwards (Ph D, University of Kansas) is an associate professor of communication in the School of Communication at Western Michigan University. Previously, he was a Hartel Fellow at Marietta College. Chad’s research interests include communication in the teacher-student relationship, human-robot interaction, and transformative communication practices. Recent publications include articles in Communication Education, Communication Research Reports, Basic Communication Course Annual, Journal on Excellence in College Teaching, and other communication and education studies journals. He serves on numerous editorial boards including that of Communication Education. He has held offices at both national and regional communication conferences and is currently the first vice president of the Central States Communication Association. In 2009, Chad received the Distinguished Teaching Award from Western Michigan University (the highest teaching award given by WMU). He also has been awarded teaching awards from the College of Arts and Sciences at Western Michigan University, the University of Kansas, and Texas Tech University. Additionally, Chad has received several top paper awards for his research.

Dr. Shawn Wahl is the Founding Dean of the Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (RCASH) and Professor of Communication at Missouri State University (MSU). Shawn’s most notable accomplishment in higher education leadership is facilitating the largest scholarship and structural private eight-figure gift in university history. He has served in the Dean role since 2017 and as Department Head of Communication at MSU from 2012 to 2017. Prior to MSU, he served as the Department Head of Communication, Mass Media & Theatre at Angelo State University and as the Founding Director of Graduate Studies at Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi. Dr. Wahl was the 2016 President of the Central States Communication Association (CSCA). He has authored numerous books, including The Communication Age: Connecting and Engaging; Business and Professional Communication: KEYS for Workplace Excellence; Persuasion in Your Life; Intercultural Communication in Your Life; Public Speaking: Essentials for Excellence; Nonverbal Communication for a Lifetime; Public Relations Principles: Bridging Theory and Practice and Organizational Communication: Strategies for Success. He has published articles in Communication Education, Communication Research Reports, Communication Studies, Communication Teacher, Journal of Family Communication, and the Basic Communication Course Annual. Dr. Wahl and colleagues received the Distinguished Article Award: Instructional Development Division (IDD) National Communication Association (NCA), 2021. Shawn completed two executive leadership programs at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, the Management Development Program (MDP, 2016), and the Institute for Educational Management (IEM, 2022). In addition, Shawn is an experienced organizational communication consultant and executive leadership coach in various industries (e.g., commodity trading, mining, oil and gas, and health care).

Scott A. Myers (Ph D, Kent State University) is a professor and Peggy Rardin Mc Connell Chair in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University (WVU) where he teaches courses in instructional communication, organizational communication, and communication pedagogy. His research interests center primarily on the student-instructor relationship in the college classroom and the adult sibling relationship, with his research appearing in outlets such as Communication Education, Journal of Family Communication, Communication Research Reports, and Communication Quarterly, among others. At WVU, he was recognized by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences as a Woodburn Professor (2005–2007) and as an Outstanding Teacher in 2010. He is a former editor of Communication Teacher, a former executive director of the Central States Communication Association (CSCA), and a past president of CSCA.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Communication in the 21st Century
Chapter 2. Perception, Self, and Communication
Chapter 3. Verbal Communication
Chapter 4. Nonverbal Communication
Chapter 5. Listening
Chapter 6. Communication, Culture, and Diversity
Chapter 7. Interpersonal Communication
Chapter 8. Small Group and Team Communication
Chapter 9. Workplace and Organizational Communication
Chapter 10. Communication and New Media
Chapter 11. Selecting and Researching Your Topic and Knowing Your Audience
Chapter 12. Organizing Your Presentation
Chapter 13. Delivering Your Presentations
Chapter 14. Informative Presentations
Chapter 15. Persuasive Presentations

Editorial Reviews

The Communication Age is a thought-provoking reflection of how we have arrived at a time in which traditional means of communicating are intricately intertwined with new technologies. Through the authors’ modern, conversational writing style and extensive connection to current issues, the information in the text demonstrates a keen sense of understanding how to reach Millennial (Digital Native) students while also appealing to their Generation X (Digital Immigrant) professors. It is a solid base and a must read for any course that is designed to blend 21st century communication concepts with public speaking mastery.”

Deborah Sheffield

The Communication Age: Connecting and Engaging is the most accessible, user friendly introduction to speech communication currently on the market. It is truly a title that not only captures the challenge of teaching this subject but which also rises to that challenge and makes that goal attainable for 21st Century undergrads.”

Dr. Tim Chandler

This text is right on target with content, format and layout. Great review sections at the end of chapters. Relevant photos, charts and illustrations. I have been teaching public speaking at the college level for over 30 years and have twice been ranked as the #1 Junior College Professor in the U.S. and I am certain that this textbook will be a welcome addition to the library of any speech educator looking for a solid, no nonsense book that will engage all students and transform the teaching of researching, outlining, delivering and addressing anxiety.

Sam Blank

"This generation of students learns differently, approach life differently, and has a different set of goals than generations in the past. The whole tone and theme of this book is just that! It embraces life in the communication age and the civic-mindedness of our current students. From the relevant real life scenarios presented by the authors to the Career Frontier feature, which offers practical strategies for communication competence in the workplace, this book has been so useful for me in the classroom. It's definitely more accessible/relevant than other textbooks on the market."

Jaime Bochantin