Communication Theory

Communication Theory, 12(4). (2002). ISSN 1050-3293. Published quarterly for the International Communication Association by Oxford University Press. Contact International Communication Association; 1730 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, Suite 300; Washington, DC 20036.

The articles in this issue of the journal, which focuses on the larger theoretical questions of communication scholarship and research, primarily address issues of interpersonal and group communication.

J. Kevin Barge and Martin Little propose an alternative theory of dialogue in organizational settings, one that sees it as an everyday rather than a crisis event (pp. 375-397).
Stephanie Burkhalter, John Gastil, and Todd Kelshaw propose “A conceptual definition and theoretical model of public deliberation in small face-to-face groups” (pp. 398-422).
Also addressing group communication research, Lise Vander Voort examines the roles of functional and causal explanations, “arguing that whereas a functional account provides an accessible description, a causal account provides guidelines for action” (pp. 469-486).
Owen H. Lynch proposes that communication researchers take note of humor and seeks to situate this particular form of communication within the research tradition (pp. 423-445).

In the one departure from group or organizational interests, Catherine R. Squires examines the public sphere, particularly as it appears in the history of African American rhetoric. “This essay presents an alternative vocabulary for multiple public spheres . . . Three types of marginal publics, enclave, counterpublic, and satellite, are defined as examples of how we might incorporate considerations of the kinds of resources different publics have available to them” (pp. 446-468).