Students as Real People: Interpersonal Communication and Education

A teacher of communication expresses his concern for thousands of students who are cheating themselves out of a worthwhile education by falling into the accepted role of "nonperson" uninvolved in the education process. In this book, the author fosters a belief that success or failure in college depends on communication—"interdependent efforts of people in a relationship to generate common meaning." He proposes to get students to realize that their education is something other students can help them develop, as much as teachers.

The author uses a personal style of writing to talk with the students. He uses examples from the students' immediate campus environment in challenging them to question their roles in the educational process. Written for and tested in interpersonal communication courses, the book is also appropriate for teacher education courses, "orientation to college life" courses, and for college counseling centers.