Product Description

Communication competence is vital for attaining most goals in life. In order to help students apply theoretical lessons to their own skills, In the Company of Others uses an organizing "communication competence model" to provide students with direction and guidance as they explore and improve their own communication processes.
Marked by J. Dan Rothwell's signature wit, this new edition engages students more than ever with its lively mixture of examples (drawn from pop culture, sports, and today's headlines), anecdotes, and illustrations. Focusing on the contexts of interpersonal, small group, and public communication, this introductory text integrates coverage of gender and culture throughout, giving these areas special attention early on in Chapter 3. Further discussions include cultural differences in perception and non-verbal meanings, cross-cultural friendships and romantic relationships, and gender and cultural bias in the workplace. In addition, the text incorporates coverage of technology and its impact on communication throughout. Topics include virtual groups, technology's effect on dating relationships, and the use of PowerPoint in public speaking. The book also features distinctive coverage of power, treating it as a central variable within all communication.
The streamlined third edition also presents a variety of new examples and enhanced pedagogical features:
* Developing Communication Competence boxes offer self-tests that help students assess their own communication skills and progress. Topics include nonverbal communication abilities, assertiveness, listening capabilities, and responsiveness.
* Focus on Controversy boxes examine ethical issues and instances in which communication research is instrumental in debunking assumptions and pop culture myths. Coverage includes cyberaddiction, the credibility of Wikipedia, the debate over animals' linguistic abilities, and the relationship between gender and aggression.
* Film School sections explore communication concepts in popular films, such as conflict management in Knocked Up and family dialectics in Juno.
A unique blend of research, scholarly insight, and humor, In the Company of Others, Third Edition, is ideal for introductory communication courses.
SUPPLEMENTS
* Companion Website: Provides resources for both students (aids for speeches, research, web usage, study guides) and instructors (links to a variety of communication-related websites, chapter outlines, lecture assistance, student activities)
* Instructor's Manual: Includes an extensive Test Bank
* Instructor's Resource CD-ROM: Features PowerPoint lecture slides and a computerized Test Bank
* Student Success Manual: Offers study tips, chapter outlines and summaries, review questions, key terms, and critical thinking exercises

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #142565 in Books
• Published on: 2009-03-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 544 pages

Review

"Right from the start I was drawn in through the use of humor. Who doesn't like a good joke? Even when the laughs stopped, I kept reading. The conversational style distinguishes Rothwell from most of the introductory texts I've read."--Robert E. Mild Jr., Fairmont State University
"The subject or topic headings are eye-catching for each of the chapters. This suggests a more contemporary take on the traditional topics and incorporates a more current perspective."--Jason Teven, California State University, Fullerton
"I really like this framework for teaching listening. I will use the ideas in my class. . . . Wonderful ways to teach and encourage critical thinking in a basic communication textbook!"--Kimberly Cuny, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

About the Author

J. Dan Rothwell is Professor of Communication at Cabrillo College.

Customer Reviews

Can't help but love the diversity...
I had this book for an Intro to Human Comm class, and I was amazed at the depth and breadth of coverage of the communication styles of diverse groups. The author addresses common concerns with intercultural communication, communication in relationships (including friendships, dating relationships, and GLBT relationships), and how to handle groups whose members have nothing in common except that they're in a group together.

Even if you don't need this book for a class, you might want to check it out just to get some pointers on how to improve your own communication expertise. Most of us have to deal with people at school, work, in our neighborhoods, out and about while shopping, and so on who are completely different than we are--efficiently getting your point across is a lot easier if you have the skills to succeed.

Besides the examples used in the text itself, the included CD-ROM has plenty of quizzes, activities, and videos to help you grasp the concepts in real world settings. If you do take my advice, I hope you enjoy the book!