Feminist Communication Theory

-Cheris Kramarae, University of Oregon

-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 key concepts 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.