Description
Book SynopsisJohn Dewey: A Critical Introduction to Media and Communication Theory reintroduces John Dewey to scholars in communication studies by presenting new material and interpretations from his works, lectures, and correspondence. Dewey has been credited as being one of the giants of American philosophy, a key figure in the development of pragmatism. Going beyond Dewey's reputation in received histories in communication, this book documents his role beginning at the University of Michigan in 1884 until his death in 1952 in establishing a view of communication as the means by which associated life and adaptation to the environment is possible. Communication enables the production of collective knowledge generated through experience and reproduced across time and space, subject to change and correction as those truths are applied and yield consequences. It is also subject to manipulation and misuse. So integral is communication to his philosophy that Dewey is best seen as having a p
Trade Review
“For what purposes is John Dewey’s work relevant, a philosopher once asked. Lana F. Rakow offers a comprehensive critical account of the enormous range of Dewey’s intellectual agendas and activist leadership. Whether readers have only heard passing references to the (in)famous Dewey-Lippmann debate or already appreciate Dewey’s call for public-minded communication processes and systems that support participatory democracy, Rakow clarifies Dewey’s approach to communication, leaving no doubt that he deserves a central place in communication studies.” —Linda Steiner, University of Maryland
“We owe Lana F. Rakow a debt of gratitude for this concise, well-written introduction to John Dewey as a pragmatist philosopher, activist, and public intellectual whose systematic thought on communication in relation to culture, technology, inquiry, art, community, and democracy is foundational to communication studies yet widely underappreciated. Grounding her argument in Dewey’s correspondence and notes of his early lectures as well as his voluminous publications and relevant secondary sources, Rakow criticizes poorly documented claims and conventional wisdom about Dewey that pepper the communication literature. Every serious student of communication should read this book.” —Robert T. Craig, University of Colorado Boulder
Table of Contents
Preface – Acknowledgements – Notes About Dewey Citations – A Reintroduction to Dewey – A Field Remembers and Forgets – Dewey’s Turn to Communication – Dewey’s Turn to Culture – A Philosophy With Communication – From Machinery to Eloquent Media – Index.
