Evolutionary communication: an introduction

"Evolutionary Communication presents the first comprehensive evolutionary approach to the study of human communication. Presuming no specialized knowledge of evolutionary theory, this reader-friendly textbook explains why and how communication became the determining factor in human development. Drawing from the latest scientific research, Evolutionary Communication represents a truly groundbreaking contribution to Communication Studies as a field of study. Opening up an inspiring new approach for teaching communication, the book can be used as a core volume or supplemental text for courses ranging from Introduction to Communication and Communication Theory to Special Topics and graduate seminars"--

Cover -- Half Title -- Title -- Copyright -- CONTENTS -- Chapter Contents -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- Preface -- PART ONE Introduction -- 1 Introducing Evolutionary Communication -- Purpose of the Book -- Theory and Fact -- Communication Traditions -- Rhetoric and Media -- Social Science -- Critical Theory/Cultural Studies -- An Evolutionary Approach -- Defining "Evolution" -- Keeping Perspective -- What Lies Ahead? -- Reading the Book -- Notes -- 2 The Basics -- Beginnings -- The First Communicators -- Cooperation and Community -- Organizing Life -- Community and Communication

Human Development -- Deep Time -- Deoxyribonucleic Acid: DNA -- Primates and Apes -- Box: Nature's Continuum -- Hominids and Hominins -- Our Oldest Direct Ancestors -- The Genus Homo -- Homo habilis and Homo erectus -- Homo neanderthalensis and Homo denisova -- Homo sapiens -- Natural Selection -- Genetic Mutations -- Adaptive Mutations -- Cooperating Genes -- Group Selection -- Evolution by Natural Selection -- Speciation -- Artificial Selection -- Human Adaptation -- Evolutionary Planes -- Box: Adapt to Survive Until ... -- Not Just Natural Selection -- Approaching Sexual Selection

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