This textbook offers a high-level survey of theories across the communication discipline. As an organizing framework, the authors (both U. of New Mexico) consider various theoretical traditions (such as sociopsychological, critical, or phenomenological) as they apply to each of eight communication contexts. New for the ninth edition are special boxed sections containing quotations from theorists explaining what they would like students to know about their work. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).