This anthology of hardtofind primary documents provides a solid overview of the foundations of American media studies. Focusing on mass communication and society and how this research fits into larger patterns of social thought this valuable collection features key texts covering the media studies traditions of the Chicago school the effects tradition the critical theory of the Frankfurt school and mass society theory. Where possible articles are reproduced in their entirety to preserve the historical flavor and texture of the original works. Topics include popular theater yellow journalism cinema books public relations political and military propaganda advertising opinion polling photography the avantgarde popular magazines comics the urban press radio drama soap opera popular music and television drama and news. This text is ideal for upperlevel courses in mass communication and media theory media and society mass communication effects and mass media history.