Review
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"The Communication Age: Connecting and Engaging is the most accessible, user friendly introduction to speech
communication currently on the market. It is truly a title that not only captures the challenge of teaching this subject
but which also rises to that challenge and makes that goal attainable for 21st Century undergrads."
Author: Dr. Tim Chandler
"This generation of students learns differently, approach life differently, and has a different set of goals than
generations in the past. The whole tone and theme of this book is just that! It embraces life in the communication age
and the civic-mindedness of our current students. From the relevant real life scenarios presented by the authors to
the Career Frontier feature, which offers practical strategies for communication competence in the workplace, this book
has been so useful for me in the classroom. It′s definitely more accessible/relevant than other textbooks on the
market."
Author: Je Bochantin
"The Communication Age is a thought-provoking reflection of how we have arrived at a time in which traditional means of
communicating are intricately intertwined with new technologies. Through the authors’ modern, conversational writing
style and extensive connection to current issues, the information in the text demonstrates a keen sense of understanding
how to reach Millennial (Digital Native) students while also appealing to their Generation X (Digital Immigrant)
professors. It is a solid base and a must read for any course that is designed to blend 21st century communication
concepts with public speaking mastery."
Author: Deborah Sheffield
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About the Author
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Autumn P. Edwards (PhD, Ohio University) is an associate professor in the School of Communication at Western Michigan
University. Her scholarly interests include interpersonal communication, communication and technology, and communication
theory. Her research focuses on the influence of individuals’ personally held theories of communication on aspects of
community life, relational , and personal well-being. Recent published work appears in journals such as the
Journal of Family Communication, Communication Studies, Communication, Communication Research Reports,
Communication Education, and The Journal of Computer Mediated Communication and in several edited books. She is the
recipient of an Outstanding Teaching Award and the Kim Giffin Research Award from the University of Kansas and was
designated a Claude Kantner Research Fellow at Ohio University.
Chad Edwards (PhD, University of Kansas) is an associate professor of communication in the School of Communication at
Western Michigan University. Previously, he was a Hartel Fellow at Marietta College. Chad’s research interests include
communication in the teacher-student relationship, human-robot interaction, and transformative communication practices.
Recent publications include articles in Communication Education, Communication Research Reports, Basic Communication
Course Annual, Journal on Excellence in College Teaching, and other communication and education studies journals. He
serves on numerous editorial boards including that of Communication Education. He has held offices at both national and
regional communication conferences and is currently the first vice president of the Central States Communication
Association. In 2009, Chad received the Distinguished Teaching Award from Western Michigan University (the highest
teaching award given by WMU). He also has been awarded teaching awards from the College of Arts and Sciences at Western
Michigan University, the University of Kansas, and Texas Tech University. Additionally, Chad has received several top
paper awards for his research.
Dr. Shawn Wahl is the Dean of the College of Arts and Letters (COAL) and Professor of Communication at Missouri State
University (MSU). He served as the Interim Dean of COAL from 2017 to 2019 and as the Department Head of Communication at
MSU from 2012 to 2017. Prior to MSU, he served as the Department Head of Communication, Mass Media, & Theatre at Angelo
State University and as the director of graduate studies at Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi. Shawn was the 2016
President of the Central States Communication Association. He has authored numerous books including Public Speaking:
Essentials for Excellence, Nonverbal Communication for a Lifetime, The Communication Age: Connecting and Engaging,
Business and Professional Communication: KEYS for Workplace Excellence,Persuasion in Your Life, Intercultural
Communication In Your Life and Public Relations Principles: Strategies for Professional Success. Shawn has published
articles in Communication Education, Communication Research Reports, Communication Studies, CommunicationTeacher,
Journal of Family Communication, and the Basic Communication Course Annual. In addition, Shawn has worked across the
globe as a corporate trainer, communication consultant, and leadership coach in a variety of industries.
Scott A. Myers (PhD, Kent State University) is a professor and Peggy Rardin McConnell Chair in the Department of
Communication Studies at West Virginia University (WVU) where he teaches courses in instructional communication,
organizational communication, and communication pedagogy. His research interests center primarily on the
student-instructor relationship in the college classroom and the adult sibling relationship, with his research appearing
in outlets such as Communication Education, Journal of Family Communication, Communication Research Reports, and
Communication Quarterly, among others. At WVU, he was recognized by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences as a
Woodburn Professor (2005–2007) and as an Outstanding Teacher in 2010. He is a former editor of Communication Teacher, a
former executive director of the Central States Communication Association (CSCA), and a past president of CSCA.
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