Theories of Human Communication, Eleventh Edition

For over forty years, Theories of Human Communication has energized classroom learning. John Oetzel joined the team of Stephen Littlejohn and Karen Foss, adding his expertise in intercultural, health, and organizational communication.

The extensively updated edition is organized around two themes: elements of the basic communication model (communicator, message, medium, and "beyond" human communication) and communication contexts (relationship, group, organization, health, social media, culture, and society). A new chapter discusses frameworks by which theories can be organized, revealing how they contribute to and are impacted by larger issues about the nature of inquiry. Other outstanding features:

The text presents a full complement of foundational theories for the communication discipline, plus the contemporary evolutions of those theories.

Comprehensive, up-to-date coverage is based on a survey of the articles in communication journals over the last five years.

New areas covered include health, social media, and communication between humans and nature/objects/technology/the divine.

Each chapter covers an average of thirteen theories, half of which are new to this edition. "From the Source" boxes give students a look at the theorists behind the theories their inspirations, motivations, and goals. Chapters are organized around the concepts and themes inherent to how that area has been studied.

Students in upper-division undergraduate and in graduate-level courses will benefit from this well-organized, absorbing treatment of communication theory.

Not-for-sale instructor's resource materials available online to college and university faculty only; contact publisher directly.

"So far, this is my students' favorite textbook for communication theory. We all like the organization and contents." --Li Li, University of Wyoming

"This remains the single best textbook for graduate and upper-level undergraduate courses in communication theory. No other textbook brings such a vast, complex, and often intimidating field under such a clear and coherent meta-theoretical schema. It makes both teaching and learning communication theory eminently manageable and very rewarding. The latest edition, with updated content, demonstrates the staying power of the book's core design." --Jason Hannan, University of Winnipeg