Feminist Communication Theory

Book excerpt: This is a remarkable book that embraces the challenge of rethinking communication theory. Much more inclusive than most communication volumes, this guidebook offers a rich diversity of voices, along with a conceptual framework for remaking communication theory. Illuminating, innovative, eloquent-and transforming. -Cheris Kramarae, University of Oregon This is a book not only of and for feminist communication theory, but of and for feminists. After a preface that marks and remarks in creative ways how the personal is political, Rakow and Wackwitz offer a compelling account of the need and potential of feminist theorizing for social and structural transformation. The collection represents a range of experiences, problems, voices, and thus will be useful to scholars, students, and activists. -Linda Steiner, Rutgers University Feminist Communication Theory is a book of and for feminist communication theorists, providing the potential to help individuals understand the human condition, name personal experiences and engage these experiences through storytelling, and give useful strategies for achieving justice. Lana F. Rakow and Laura A. Wackwitz examine the work of feminist theorists over the past two decades who have challenged traditional communication theory, contributing to the development of feminist communication theory by identifying its important contours, shortcomings, and promise. Arguing that feminist communication theory must address theories of gender, communication, and social change, Rakow and Wackwitz describe feminist communication theory as explanatory, political, polyvocal, and transformative. The book is constructed around the three keyconcepts of difference, voice, and representation to reflect on how feminist theory reshapes our thinking about gender and communication. Feminist Communication Theory represents a variety of voices from different theoretical, cultural, and geographic perspectives to illustrate the complex challenge of constructing new theoretical positions.Key Features Explores key works and issues of feminist theory relevant to gender and communication Examines a broad range, well beyond conventional wisdom, of women 's perspectives and experiences Provides tools to develop the theoretical potential of both feminist and communication theory Feminist Communication Theory is designed for undergraduate and graduate courses on feminist communication, gender and communication, communication theory, speech, rhetoric, and mass communication. The book will also be of interest to feminist scholars in a variety of disciplines, as well as students and scholars in Women 's Studies and Cultural Studies.