Communication Yearbook 25

Communication Yearbook 25 is devoted to publishing state-of-the-art literature reviews in which authors critique and synthesize a body of communication research. This volume contains critical, integrative reviews of research on democracy and new communication technologies; the Federal Communication Commission's communication policymaking process; cognitive effects of hypermedia; mediation of children's television viewing; informatization, world systems, and developing countries; communication ethics; communication in culturally diverse work groups; and attitudes toward language. In addition, it also includes senior scholars' reviews of research on imagined interactions and symbolic convergence theory. Representing media, interpersonal, intercultural, and other areas of communication, this is an important reference on current research for scholars and students in the social sciences. Each of the chapters make a unique contribution to the field.

The Communication Yearbook annuals originally published between 1977 and 2009 publish diverse, state-of-the-discipline literature reviews that advance knowledge and understanding of communication systems, processes, and impacts across the discipline. Topics dealt with include Communication as Process, Research Methodology in Communication, Communication Effects, Taxonomy of Communication and European Communication Theory, Information Systems Division, Mass Communication Research, Mapping the Domain of Intercultural Communication, Public Relations, Feminist Scholarship, Communication Law and Policy, Visual Communication, Communication and Cross-Sex Friendships Across the Life Cycle, Television Programming and Sex Stereotyping, InterCultural Communication Training, Leadership and Relationships, Media Performance Assessment, Cognitive Approaches to Communication.

Communities are composed of connected individuals. The communication that exists within, about, and between these communities is at the heart of Communication Yearbook 28. This book draws from the broad range encompassed by the communication discipline to review literature that has something to say about community and what the communication discipline has to contribute to understanding this human connection. Offering state-of-the-art research, Communication Yearbook 28 presents: *an influence model addressing the most basic level of community--the personal relationship; *the literature on romantic and parent-child relationships at a distance; *community in terms of those working at home and telecommuting, running home-based businesses, and participating in online communities; *the communicative venue for community building and fragmentation; *social capital and tolerance; *the literature on collaboration, examining this communicative performance in community groups; *community as a foundation for the study of public relations theory and practice; *the visual images of community and what they suggest about these communities to those looking in from the outside; *the role new technology plays in maintaining community; and *community contexts. This book is an important reference on current research for scholars and students in the social sciences.

Communication Yearbook 34 continues the tradition of publishing state-of-the-discipline literature reviews and essays. Editor Charles T. Salmon presents a volume that is highly international and interdisciplinary in scope, with authors and chapters representing the broad global interests of the International Communication Association. The volume is organized into three sections, pertaining to interdisciplinary theory, normative ideals and political realities, and communication and societies in transition. Internationally renowned scholars serve as respondents for the three sections. With a blend of chapters emphasizing timely public policy concerns and enduring theoretical questions, this volume will be valuable to scholars throughout the discipline of communication studies.

Published under the auspices of the International Communication Association, this volume, the fifth in the Communication Yearbook series, provides an annual overview and synthesis of developments in the science of communication. Disciplinary reviews and commentaries on general topics in all subdivisions of communication accompany analyses of developments in communication theory and research in specialized areas within the communication sciences. Among the areas covered are information systems, interpersonal communication, political communication, instructional communication, health communication, mass communication, organizational communication, and intercul-tural communication. Reviews and commentaries are commissioned by the editor, and divisional overviews are prepared by scholars in each area of specialization. Articles presenting current research are selected through competitive judging processes within each interest area.

Based on the premise that terrorism is essentially a message, Terrorism and Communication: A Critical Introduction examines terrorism from a communication perspective—making it the first text to offer a complete picture of the role of communication in terrorist activity. Through the extensive examination of state-of-the-art research on terrorism as well as recent case studies and speech excerpts, communication and terrorism scholar Jonathan Matusitz explores the ways that terrorists communicate messages through actions and discourse. Using a multifaceted approach, he draws valuable insights from relevant disciplines, including mass communication, political communication, and visual communication, as he illustrates the key role that media outlets play in communicating terrorists' objectives and examines the role of global communication channels in both spreading and combating terrorism. This is an essential introduction to understanding what terrorism is, how it functions primarily through communication, how we talk about it, and how we prevent it.

The symbolic value of targets is what differentiates terrorism from other forms of extreme violence. Terrorism is designed to inflict deep psychological wounds on an enemy rather than demolish its material ability to fight. The September 11, 2001 attacks, for example, demonstrated the power of symbolism. The World Trade Center was targeted by Al Qaeda because the Twin Towers epitomized Western civilization, U.S. imperialism, financial success, modernity, and freedom. The symbolic character of terrorism is the focus of this textbook. A comprehensive analysis, it incorporates descriptions, definitions, case studies, and theories. Each chapter focuses on a specific dimension of symbolism in terrorism and explains the contexts and processes that involve the main actors as well as the symbolism of both the purposes and targets of terrorism. Also discussed are new religious movements, which represent another important aspect of terrorism, such as Aum Shinrikyo, the Japanese cult that used sarin gas in the Tokyo subway in 1995. Over forty areas of symbolism are covered throughout the chapters, including physical and non-physical symbolism, linguistic symbolism, the social construction of reality, rituals, myths, performative violence, iconoclasm, brand management, logos, semiotics, new media, and the global village. This allows for an in-depth examination of many issues, such as anti-globalization, honor killing, religious terrorism, suicide terrorism, martyrdom, weapons, female terrorism, public communication, visual motifs, and cyberspace. Main concepts are clearly defined, and followed by theory illustrated by international case studies. Chapter summaries, key points, review questions, research and practice suggestions are recurring components as well. This groundbreaking text encompasses all major aspects of symbolism in terrorism and will be an essential resource for anyone studying terrorism.