History of media studies

This article outlines the history of media studies.

Chicago School

Though not yet named as such, media studies' roots are in the Chicago School and thinkers such as John Dewey, Charles Cooley and George Mead. These authors saw American society on the cusp of positive social change toward pure democracy. Mead argued that for an ideal society to exist, a form of communication must be developed to allow the unique individual to appreciate the attitudes, viewpoints and positions of others unlike himself, and allow him to be understood by others as well. Mead believed that this "new media" would allow humans to empathize with others, and therefore moves toward an "ideal of human society."Mead, George Herbert. "Obstacles and Promises in the Development of an Ideal Society." Mind, Self & Society, pp. 317–28. Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press, 1934. Similarly, Cooley asserts that political communication makes public opinion...
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