35 Communication Studies
Be Credible
Peter Bobkowski and Karna Younger (University of Kansas)
2018
Licence: CC BY-NC
This book teaches college-level journalism and strategic communication students to become information experts.
Formats: Online
Suggested for: CMNS 355, CMNS 444
Beyond the Podium: AI, Speech, and Civic Voice
Tiffany Petricini and Sherry Rice (Penn State University)
2026
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA
This book begins not only with public speaking as a skill, but with communication as a human practice. From interpersonal conversations to civic speeches, from face-to-face dialogue to AI-mediated interaction, our ability to communicate with care and clarity has never been more important or more complex.
Formats: Online, PDF
Suggested for: CMNS 421, CMNS 321
Communication in Practice
Jeremy Rose, University of Minnesota
2025
Licence: CC BY
This approachable and conversational textbook is intended for undergraduate communication courses. Dr. Jeremy Rose draws from an accomplished lecturing career to explore the fundamentals of communication with media examples and real world scenarios.
Formats: Online, PDF, Ebook
Suggested for: COMM 243, CMNS 301
Communication in the Real World: An Introduction to Communication Studies
University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing
2016
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA
This book overviews the time-tested conceptual foundations of the field while incorporating the latest research and cutting-edge applications of these basics. Each chapter includes timely, concrete, and real-life examples of communication concepts in action.
Formats: Online, EPUB, PDF, MOBI, and more
Suggested for: CMNS 301
Communication and Teamwork Skills to Support Neurodiversity
Teagan Menhenett, Nick Milne, and Siva Krishnan (Deakin University)
2025
Licence: CC BY-NC
A significant challenge for neurodivergent students is the transition to studying in a new environment. This book focuses on assisting students with this transition by guiding them through different learning activities and information to support the team-based learning they will engage in during their degree. The resources in this book are designed to be accessible for all students and staff, with the aim of developing an understanding of disability and neurodiversity, teamwork and communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with peers to achieve common goals. The resources shared here can be utilised within individual units to support student skill development in inclusivity, engagement with others and the capacity to contribute towards highly functional teams.
Formats: Online, PDF, Ebook
Suggested for: COMM 277, COMM 243
Communication Theory
Wikibooks
2019
Licence: CC BY-SA
This communication studies text covers introductory concepts in communication theory, from reduction to the network society.
Formats: Online (wiki) and PDF
Suggested for: CMNS 301
eGirls, eCitizens 
Edited by Jane Bailey and Valerie Steeves (University of Ottawa)
2015
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA
eGirls, eCitizens is a landmark work that explores the many forces that shape girls’ and young women’s experiences of privacy, identity, and equality in our digitally networked society. Drawing on the multi-disciplinary expertise of a remarkable team of leading Canadian and international scholars, as well as Canada’s foremost digital literacy organization, MediaSmarts, this collection presents the complex realities of digitized communications for girls and young women as revealed through the findings of The eGirls Project (www.egirlsproject.ca) and other important research initiatives. Aimed at moving dialogues on scholarship and policy around girls and technology away from established binaries of good vs bad, or risk vs opportunity, these seminal contributions explore the interplay of factors that shape online environments characterized by a gendered gaze and too often punctuated by sexualized violence. Perhaps most importantly, this collection offers first-hand perspectives collected from girls and young women themselves, providing a unique window on what it is to be a girl in today’s digitized society. (Description from UO Press)
Format: PDF
Suggested for: CMNS 421
A Guide to Technical Communications: Strategies & Applications
Lynn Hall and Leah Wahlin (The Ohio State University)
2016
Licence: CC BY-NC
This open textbook was designed for Engineering Technical Communications courses at The Ohio State University. This textbook focuses on developing both technical and professional communication skills and will help readers practice strategies for critically analyzing audiences and contexts, real-world applications of rhetorical principles, and skills for producing documents (reports, proposals, instructions), presentations, videos, and wide variety of other professional communications.
Formats: Online, PDF, eBook
Suggested for: CMNS 380
Humans R Social Media
Diana Daly (University of Arizona)
2022
Licence: CC BY
Social media and humans exist in a world of mutual influence, and humans play central roles in how this influence is mediated and transferred. Originally created by University of Arizona Information scholar Diana Daly, this Third Edition of the book Humans R Social Media uses plain language and features contributions by students to help readers understand how we as humans shape social media, and how social media shapes our world in turn.
Formats: Online, PDF, EPUB, and more
Suggested for: CMNS 358
Information Strategies for Communicators
Kathleen A. Hansen and Nora Paul
2015
Licence: CC BY
The definitive text for the information search and evaluation process as practiced by news and strategic communication message producers.
Formats: Online, PDF, EPUB, MOBI, and more
Suggested for: CMNS 335
Intercultural Communication
Shannon Ahrndt (University of Missouri-St. Louis)
2020
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA
Intercultural Communication examines culture as a variable in interpersonal and collective communication. It explores the opportunities and problems arising from similarities and differences in communication patterns, processes, and codes among various cultural groups. It explores cultural universals, social categorization, stereotyping and discrimination, with a focus on topics including race, ethnicity, social class, religion, gender and sexuality as they relate to communication.
Format: PDF
Suggested for: CMNS 402
Interpersonal Communication: A Mindful Approach to Relationships
Jason S. Wrench (SUNY New Paltz), Narissra M. Punyanunt-Carter (Texas Tech University), and Katherine S. Thweatt (SUNY Oswego)
2025
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA
Interpersonal Communication: A Mindful Approach to Relationships helps readers examine their own one-on-one communicative interactions using a mindfulness lens. The writing team of Jason S. Wrench, Narissra M. Punyanunt-Carter, and Katherine Thweatt incorporates the latest communication theory and research to help students navigate everyday interpersonal interactions. The 14 chapters in this book cover topics typically taught in an undergraduate interpersonal communication course: family interactions, interpersonal dynamics, language, listening, nonverbal communication, and romantic relationships, as well as exploring emerging areas such as self-compassion, body positivity, friendships, and “the dark side”. The writing takes on a purposefully informal tone to engage readers. Each chapter is broken into different sections that have unique instructional outcomes, key takeaways, and exercises, and concludes with real-world case studies and sample quiz questions. Also included is an extensive glossary with over 350 definitions.
Formats: Online and PDF
Suggested for: COMM 243
An Introduction to Group Communication
University of New Hampshire
2020
This textbook helps students demonstrate an understanding of key topics and concepts, including communication groups, leadership, organizational culture, intercultural communication, listening and nonverbal communication, assessing communication quality, and conflict.
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA
Formats: Online, EPUB
Suggested for: COMM 277
Language and Culture in Context – A Primer on Intercultural Communication
Robert Godwin-Jones (Virginia Commonwealth University)
2020
Licence: CC BY-NC
The text introduces some of the key concepts in intercultural communication as traditionally presented in (North American) courses and textbooks, namely the study of differences between cultures, as represented in the works and theories of Edward Hall and Geert Hofstede. Common to these approaches is the prominence of context, leading to a view of human interactions as dynamic and changeable, given the complexity of language and culture, as human agents interact with their environments.
Formats: PDF, Word, EPUB, and online (via LibreTexts)
Suggested for: CMNS 402
Management Communication
Lisa Thomas (Brigham Young University)
2022
Licence: CC BY-SA
From the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University, this open textbook addresses business communication which is concise, direct, clear, and compelling. Communication is the heart of business. Short emails, complex reports, private chats, impassioned pitches, formal presentations, and team meetings move information and ideas around an organization, define strategy, and drive decisions.
Formats:
Suggested for: CMNS 380
Media and Power
Bettina Fabos, Christopher R Martin, and Catherine H Palczewski (University of Northern Iowa)
2026
Licence: CC BY-SA
This handbook guides students through concepts, content, and exercises that help them develop media literacy by understanding media and power. The authors want students to not only gain the ability to critically analyze the languages and discourses – textual, visual, audio, and code – that people use to create and interpret media content, but also to understand the overarching context: media possess immense power in contemporary societies around the world.
Formats: Online, Google Doc
Suggested for: CMNS 202
Media, Society, Culture and You: An Introduction to Mass Communication Text
Mark A. Poepsel (Southern Illinois University Edwardsville)
2018
Licence: CC BY
Media, Society, Culture and You is an approachable introductory mass communication text that covers major mass communication terms and concepts including “digital culture.” It discusses various media platforms and how they are evolving as information and communication technologies change.
Formats: Online, EPUB, PDF, MOBI, and more
Suggested for: CMNS 201
Oral/Interpersonal Communication
Darrel Farmer (Chippewa Valley Technical College)
Bridget Bell (Gateway Technical College)
2025
Licence: CC BY
Oral/Interpersonal Communication provides a comprehensive overview of foundational and advanced communication concepts, emphasizing practical skills for individual and group interactions. This textbook explores the communication process, including verbal and nonverbal strategies, the role of culture, and techniques for effective listening. It also covers essential topics such as public speaking, interpersonal relationships, teamwork, and conflict resolution. With a focus on real-world applications, the book delves into communication theories, ethics, and the impact of communication on relationships, organizational settings, and personal identity. Designed to prepare students for professional, social, and civic contexts, this resource encourages reflection and skill-building to foster meaningful and effective communication in diverse situations.
Formats: Online, EPUB, PDF, XML, and more
Suggested for: COMM 243
Problem Solving in Teams and Groups
Cameron W. Piercy (University of Kansas)
2019
Licence: CC BY
This textbook covers content relevant to COMS342 Problem Solving in Teams and Groups at the University of Kansas.
Formats: Online and PDF
Suggested for: COMM 277
Public Speaking and Democratic Participation: Speech, Deliberation, and Analysis in the Civic Realm – 2nd ed.
Cameron W. Piercy (University of Kansas)
2025
Licence: CC BY
The second edition of Public Speaking and Democratic Participation: Speech, Deliberation, and Analysis in the Civic Realm equips students to effectively participate in and transform their communities through speech. Drawing on the ancient study of rhetoric, the textbook teaches students informative and persuasive speaking skills to develop and empower their public voice. Unique to this textbook, content is also provided on the democratic practices of deliberative discussion facilitation and rhetorical analysis. Together, these abilities help students recognize divisive civic discourse, counter social injustice, and nurture a healthier and more inclusive society.
Formats: Online and PDF
Suggested for: CMNS 385
The Social Media Reader
Michael Mandiberg
2012
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA
This book covers a wide-ranging topical terrain, much like the internet itself, with particular emphasis on collaboration and sharing, the politics of social media and social networking, Free Culture and copyright politics, and labour and ownership. Theorizing new models of collaboration, identity, commerce, copyright, ownership, and labor, these essays outline possibilities for cultural democracy that arise when the formerly passive audience becomes active cultural creators, while warning of the dystopian potential of new forms of surveillance and control.
Formats: Online, PDF, EPUB, and more
Suggested for: CMNS 421
Understanding Media and Culture
Jack Lule (Lehigh University and Saylor Foundation)
2019
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA
This media studies text covers introductory concepts in media and culture, from modernization to violence in media.
Formats: PDF and Word
