Critical Interpersonal and Family Communication Pedagogy: Charting New Futurities

This volume establishes critical interpersonal and family communication pedagogy (CIFCP) as a distinct academic area of inquiry, highlighting the intersections of identity, power, culture, pedagogy, and interpersonal and family communication concepts, theories, and methods.

This practical, theoretical, and aspirational collection by interpersonal and family communication (IPFC) scholars and teachers shines a spotlight on, through a diversity of methods, some of the ways that power both emanates within the classroom and informs intellectual instruction. Providing examples that connect critical theories and concepts with topics common in IPFC classrooms, such as conflict, relational tension, disclosure, listening, and family dynamics, the book illustrates how critical concepts can be uniquely addressed and unpacked in IPFC classrooms through a variety of assignments, teaching activities, and discussion prompts, and promotes and normalizes the ongoing reflexive practices of IPFC instructors.

This book will interest academics and upper-level students working in the areas of Critical Methodology, Interpersonal Communication, Family Communication, and Relationship Science.

Mick B. Brewer (Ph.D., Southern Illinois University Carbondale) is Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Lincoln University of Missouri. His research is situated within the critical tradition and spans various communication subfields including interpersonal communication, critical media studies, sexuality studies, and communication education, and has been published in multiple edited volumes and academic journals including Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Critical Studies in Media Communication, Communication, Culture, & Critique, and Sexuality & Culture.

Sandra L. Faulkner (Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University) is Professor of Media and Communication at Bowling Green State University where she writes, teaches, and researches about close relationships. Faulkner’s interests include qualitative methodology, poetic inquiry, inclusive pedagogy, and critical perspectives on interpersonal and family communication. She engages in community-based research focusing on aging and communication across the life course and uses poetry as a form of social justice and activism. Faulkner is Editor of Communication Studies (2025-2027)