I'd like to suggest a book by the professor I work with: INTERNET (Routledge Introductions to Media and Communications) by Lorenzo Cantoni and Stefano Tardini, 2006. Table of Contents 1. The Political Economy of the Internet 2. Computer Mediated Communication: Features and Technologies 3. Hypertext 4. Websites as Communication 5. Conceptualising Users of the Internet: Traces and Search Engines 6. Internet: Communities and Practices
From Routledge page ( http://www.routledgemedia.com/books/Internet-isbn9780415352277 ):
From music to gaming, information gathering to eLearning; eCommerce to eGovernment, Lorenzo Cantoni and Stefano Tardini's absorbing introduction considers the internet as a communication technology; the opportunities it affords us, the limitations it imposes and the functions it allows.
Internet explores: * the political economy of the internet * hypertext * computer mediated communication * websites as communication * conceptualizing users of the internet * internet communities and practices. Perfect for students studying this modern phenomenon, and a veritable e-feast for all cyber junkies. Also on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/INTERNET-Routledge-Introductions-Media-Communications/... Thanks, Marco. --------------------------------------------------------------- Marco Fare', researcher @ webatelier.net Universita' della Svizzera italiana - 6904 Lugano (Switzerland) (e) marco.fare@lu.unisi.ch (w) http://www.unisi.ch/personal-info.htm?id=680 (t) +41 (0)58.666.4788 - (f) +41 (0)58.666.4647 ---------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message----- Message: 1 Date: Fri, 15 May 2009 17:23:29 -0700 From: Ted Coopman <ted.coopman@gmail.com> Subject: [Air-L] Textbook Suggestion Needed To: "air-l@listserv.aoir.org" <air-l@listserv.aoir.org> Message-ID: <b39de3830905151723k74286ca3l81b7731dac5547b1@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
All,
I am teaching an upper division Internet Communication (theory) course online in the fall and am interested in suggestions for a basic textbook/reader.
In the past I have used Thurlow, C., Lengel, L., & Tomic, A. (2004). Computer-mediated communication: Social interaction and the internet. London: Sage. My students did not like it very much (typical), but the main issue now is that it is dated. This is same issue with Castells' Internet Galaxy.
I have considered going with journal articles, but I generally like to have a foundation text as well that lays out the basics; history, culture, CMC, basic theory, etc.
I teach at a California State University campus with a slighty older student population who may not have the best skills but do have plenty of life experience. Straight forward language and pragmatics are a plus.
Ideally any text would be broad and include both social scientific and cultural perspectives.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
-TED -- Ted M. Coopman Ph.D. Lecturer Department of Communication Studies Department of Television, Radio, Film, & Theatre San Jose State University