Designed to introduce students to the academic discipline of Communication, this text describes the scope and methods of communication studies, and sketches its history from the work of the early sophists to contemporary research efforts. It explains why Communication continues to struggle for recognition of its legitimate place in the academy.

Designed to introduce students to the academic discipline of Communication, this text describes the scope and methods of communication studies, and sketches its history from the work of the early sophists to contemporary research efforts. "Boxing Plato's Shadow" helps explain why, despite its long and venerable history of scholarly endeavor, Communication continues to struggle for recognition of its legitimate place in the academy. Throughout, the authors emphasize the field's durability over more than two millennia and the merits of multiple systematic approaches to the study of communication.

Chapter 1. The Beginning of Communication Study A Market for Communication Knowledge and SkillThe SophistsPlato's ShadowAristotle's ResolutionBoxing Plato's ShadowContributions of Plato and Socrates to the Study of CommunicationChapter 2. Communication Study from Aristotle's Time to the 20th Century Rhetoric in Egypt and RomeRhetoric in Christian EuropeThe Contribution of the MoorsHumanism, the Renaissance, and the Printing PressThe Enlightenment and the Modern Concept of CommunicationNew Relevance for Rhetoric in England and the New WorldElocutionA Changing Academic World and the Birth of a New DisciplineChapter 3.
Humanistic Study of Communication in the 20th Century Rhetorical Scholarship and the Practical Art of SpeechThe Neo-Aristotelian ApproachThe Limitations of Neo-Aristotleian Rhetorical ScholarshipThe Neo-Aristotelian Legacy New Foundations for Contemporary Rhetorical ScholarshipRhetorical Scholarship TodayChapter 4.
The Emerging Social Science of Communication StudyThe Nature of Social ScienceFoundations of Social Science and Communication Study in the 19th CenturyEarly Scientific Study of Communication:
Early 1900s through the 1940sThe Scientific Study of Communication from the 1940's to the PresentChapter 5. Challenges Facing Social ScientistsChallenges Facing Humanist ScholarsThe Challenge of Changing TechnologyAreas of Specialization in Communication Research Communication Study as Interdisciplinary ScholarshipEnduring Issues Confronting the Field Communication Study and You