How does theory, whether it takes an empirical, humanistic, or rhetorical/critical approach, help communication scholars make sense of our world and the problems we encounter in contemporary society? Theories for Human Communication: Advocating for Social Change inspires students' interest in applying theories to communication problems we encounter in today's ever-evolving world. The book moves beyond theory and metatheory to address how new media, engaged democratic citizenship, and deconstructing messages in a post-truth world can deepen students' application of theory to advocate for social change.

This multi-disciplinary, research-driven textbook highlights contemporary theories scholars use to approach practical and applied communication problems and challenges. Students examine the application of theories to their lives in multiple contemporary contexts, such as campus, residence, workplace, and classroom communities as well as in their local communities, and situated within a discussion of issues of national and global concern.

The text integrates several important themes, including applications of contemporary theory to the post-truth era as well as the profound influence of new digital and social media on communication problems and challenges.

A highly relevant and wholly original approach, Theories for Human Communication: Advocating for Social Change is an exemplary text for courses in communication theory.