Scholarly Must-Reads

Sometimes books are the best way to borrow an experience from a person you want to learn something from. In the new Book Recommendation Series we are going to try to gather book recommendation from professors of different divisions.

    This issue gives a glance at books which are important from the point of view of Communication Arts Department professors.

    Cory Williams. Associate Professor of Communication Arts.

    1. Mitch Albom. Tuesdays with Morrie. This book “explores issues regarding the fragility of life and how our communication with one another is so vitally important in our relationships.” 

    2. George Ritzer. The McDonaldization of Society. It “covers the nature of today’s organizational climate and invites the reader to consider whether this is a satisfying approach.”

    3. Robert Cialdini. Influence: Science & Practice. The book “looks at Persuasion as an inborn reaction and provides the reader with an awareness of how they may be manipulated on a primal level.”

    4. Ta-Nehisi Coates. Between the World and Me. “A powerful book about a father’s advice to his son on being black in American society.”

    5. Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics. “The classical approach to virtue ethics that discusses friendship, a “Golden Mean” for virtues, and the nature of character (ethos) and happiness.”

    Lindsey Akers. Instructor of Communication Arts.

    1. Stephen Covey. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. “This book shows you how to reorganize your life to focus on what is important to you. I think if you apply these habits to your life you will become an effective leader.”

    2. Dale Carnegie. How to Win Friends and Influence People. “If you get people to like you in our field then you are well on your way to success.”

    3. Spencer Johnson. Who Moved My Cheese?  “I think it is important for people to learn to be adaptive and flexible in today’ society in order to succeed. This book does a wonderful job of addressing how to deal with change.” 

    Heather Williams. Lecturer of Communications.

    1. Bill Kovach & Tom Rosenstiel. The Elements of Journalism: What Newspeople Should Know and the Public Should Expect. 3rd edition. “It will break down the responsibilities of the journalist, the values they should hold and their responsibility to society. The essence of the book is “identifying the essential elements that define journalism and its role in society.” 

    Rosalie Peck. Instructor of English and Journalism.

    1. Brooks, Pinson and Wilson. Working with Words - A Handbook for Media Writer and Editors. 9th edition. The book “is written for journalists by journalists with chapters devoted to grammar and editing as well as journalistic style and writing for various media. Working with Words exceeds any book on style (such as the AP Stylebook) as the authors stress  mechanical and stylistic skills to help the reader become a better journalist and writer.  This is more than the usual “I go, I went, and I have gone” grammar book.”

    2. Rick Bragg. My Southern Journey. In order to become a good feature writer, a student must find his/her own voice and style. Rick Bragg’s book, My Southern Journey, is one of the best to help with this discovery. 

    Robert Hoffman.  Assistant Professor of Communication Arts.

Marshall McLuhan and Quentin Fiore, The Medium is the Massage: An Inventory of Effects. “Sometimes understanding the medium just as important as the message which was given.”