Research On Columbia School Of Communications

This thesis attempts to break down communications discipline and restudy the history of American communications through reflecting the methods of the intellectual history of communication, it aims to research the "Columbia School of Communications" under the traditions of sociology of knowledge by using the method of "bifurcated history". As the source of mass communication research, the research history of "Columbia School of Communications" is not only the origin of theory and methodology of empirical research of media effects but also the key to reevaluate all kinds of academic tradition of communication studies; therefore, it involves many fundamental problems in the history of communication studies.On the basis of first-hand literatures and according to the theories of "Knowledge Logic", this thesis focuses on the knowledge genealogy and value orientation of "Columbia School of Communications" in the context of American social science. It reveals the history of mass communication research and the related controversies, critiques and changes of knowledge. Specifically, there are three clusters of questions this thesis addresses.(1) What is the core issue of Columbia School as the originator of mass communication research? What is the knowledge genealogy of relevant communication research? What is the logic relationship between the methods and conclusions of mass communication research and what is the philosophical back-up of this kind of logic relationship? What kind of knowledge production and knowledge form is produced by the School? In the field of knowledge, how the interactive relations among intellectuals affect the knowledge production and reflect the characteristics of Columbia School?(2) From1940s to1960s, the Columbia School of Communications had risen in America. What is the evolution logic of American social science behind the mass communication research? The answer to this question through the approach of sociology of knowledge not only refers to the clarification of history of communication research, but also relates to the position of mass communication research in the system of the whole social sciences. Thus, I need to face the relationship between market, government, foundations and the "administrative research", also try to demonstrate the changing processes of theories in the research history and their possible dangers to the communication research. Then what is the social structure nexus behind the mass communication research? From the macroscopic perspective, how the Columbia School rose in American society and how it declined?(3) By exploring the "great problem" of mass communication research in the beginning era, I discuss what the communication problem context rooted in social theory is and how the problem context continues from the historical point of view.By examining the "Columbia School of Communications", this study reviews the academic form of interweave between "methodology logic" and middle theory which mass communication research represents in the context of American social science and analyzes the forms, characteristics and evolutions of communication research under the broad theme of social science research. Finally, I explain the historical context of communication problem in reference to Columbia School and conclude with discussing the future hope of communication research in the present difficulties.