This chapter has provided a brief historical overview of the beginnings of the communication field. We first discussed how various communication associations were conceptualized and developed, and then identified five pioneers who carved out the beginnings of the modern communication discipline. We next examined the primary contexts of communication: intrapersonal, interpersonal, small group, organizational, public, mass, and intercultural. As you read the theories in this book, you will see that many of them fall neatly into these divisions; some, however, cut across several contexts.

You should now be able to discern the uniqueness of the communication discipline. As you read the next few chapters on theory building, you will begin to link the communication process with the theoretical process. These preliminary chapters offer important foundations to draw on as you encounter the theories presented later in the book.