Adapted from the summary table in

Why Communication is Important:

A Rationale for the Centrality of a Discipline

 

  Sherwyn P. Morreale, Michael M. Osborn, Judy C. Pearson
 

Theme I: Communication Education Is Vital to the Development of the Whole Person

 

 A.     Communication Enhances Relationships to the Self, Others, and Society, and is therefore Central to General Education

 

 B.      Communication Education Should Begin Early and Continue into Adult Education

 

 C.     Students Place High Value on Communication Education, but Often Underestimate the Importance of Certain Skills

 

 D.     Communication Education Improves Critical Thinking

 

 E. Communication Education Helps Students Become More Critical Consumers of

 Modern Media.

 

 F.     Communication Education Develops Leadership Skills.

 

 G.    One Must Understand Communication Dynamics to Build a Successful Family.

 

 H.     Educators Understood the Importance of Communication Education

 

 I.        To Acquire Communication Knowledge is to Gain Power; to Teach Communication is Profoundly Political.

 

Theme II: Communication Education Improves the Educational Enterprise

 

 A.     Communication Education Enhances Classroom Instruction

 

 B.      Communication is the Key to Successful Collaboration in the Educational Environment.

 

 C.     Are We Neglecting Oral Communication in the Language Arts Classroom?

 

 D. Communication Skill is Most Important Trait for School Administrators.

 

 E. Communication Education is Vital in the Selection of Teachers.

 

 F.     Communication Education Fosters Leadership among Librarians.

 

 G.    Oral Communication is among Basic Skills Required for Faculty Leadership.

 

 Theme III: Communication Education Is Vital to Society and to Crossing Cultural Boundaries

 

 A.      Communication Education Helps Develop Skills and Sensitivities that Shape our Social and Political Lives.

 

 B. Developing the Ability to Speak Qualifies One to Participate in Public Life.

 

 C.     Good Family Communication Helps Prevent Delinquent Behavior.

 

 D.      Nonverbal Communication Influences Decisions in Courts of Law.

 

 E. Communication Education Can Enhance Cross-Cultural Understanding.

 

Theme IV: Communication Education is Vital to Career Success and the Business Enterprise

 

 A.     Communication Education can Help Students Gain a Desirable Job.

 

 B.     Oral Communication and Listening Abilities are among the Basic Job Skills Desired by Employers.

 

 C.      Developing Desirable Communicative Behaviors is Essential in Specific Professional Careers [accounting, auditing, banking, engineers, industrial hygiene, information science, public relations, sales, etc.].

 

 D.     Communication Education can Increase Upward Mobility in One’s Career.

 

 E.      Communication Education Helps Make Business/Customer Interactions more Satisfying and Productive.

 

 G. Learning Communication Skills Promotes Human Resources Training.

 

 H.     Communication Education Enhances the Effectiveness of Business Executives.

 

 I. Communication Skills are Top Priorities for Entrepreneurs.