Trends in the Introductory Communication Course from 1956 to 2016: A Systematic Review of the Results of 11 National Survey Studies

Abstract

Researchers have conducted surveys of the introductory communication course for more than 60 years, starting with two seminal studies in 1956 and 1965, followed by a series of nine replicative studies extending from 1970 to 2016. This systematic review examines the results from those 11 surveys. The results of that review are presented here, including historical trends observed in the thematic categories that indicate how the course has remained consistent or changed during the time period of the surveys. This study concludes with recommendations to inform decision-making about the future of the introductory course, based on the identified historical trends as well as impact factors in the context of higher education today.

Doing What We Do Best: Advancing Business Communication Instruction Into the Future With an Agenda for Training and Development

“…There is also rich literature that identifies and prescribes communication competence behaviors (Hannawa & Spitzberg, 2015; Morreale, 2009; Spitzberg, 1983, 2000, 2006) that form the basis of communication skill instruction. Although the contemporary discipline of communication includes instruction about a wide variety of communication theories and contexts, considerable effort continues to be expended on teaching communication skills (Morreale, 2009, 2020; Smith & Turner, 1993; Thompson et al, 2021; Wardrope, 1999). In addition, communication skill development is the primary focus of the basic communication studies and business communication courses that are required by general education and business education courses at many U.S. colleges and universities (LeFebvre & LeFebvre, 2020; Morreale, 2020; Morreale et al, 2006).…”

“…Although the contemporary discipline of communication includes instruction about a wide variety of communication theories and contexts, considerable effort continues to be expended on teaching communication skills (Morreale, 2009, 2020; Smith & Turner, 1993; Thompson et al, 2021; Wardrope, 1999). In addition, communication skill development is the primary focus of the basic communication studies and business communication courses that are required by general education and business education courses at many U.S. colleges and universities (LeFebvre & LeFebvre, 2020; Morreale, 2020; Morreale et al, 2006). Communication skill development remains an important objective of both contemporary business communication courses and corporate training contexts.…”