Communication studies is the academic discipline which studies communication; subdisciplines include animal communication, theories of communication, group communication , information theory, intrapersonal communication, interpersonal communication, marketing, organizational communication, propaganda, public affairs, public relations, speech communications , and telecommunications.

History

Various aspects of communicating have long been the subject of human study . In ancient Greece, the study of rhetoric, the art of effective speaking and persuasion, was a vital subject for students. In the early 20th century, many specialists began to study communication as a specific part of their academic disciplines. Communications began to emerge as a distinct academic field in the mid-20th century. Harold Innis and Marshall McLuhan were early pioneers. A critique of commodified communications emerged with the writings of Theodor W. Adorno and Guy Debord.

The main national professional organization for communication studies in the U.S. is the National Communication Association (NCA).