Four formats and one history of Communications

Abstract

By exa mining a series of theoretical proposals as well as sorne actual work done in order to advance a history of communications, we attempt to identify different trends and perspectives in as far as they constitute theories, concepts, and methodological approaches that tackle communications as an object of analysis from a hi storical viewpoint. With this in mind, we look th rough sorne ofthe extant papers on the history of communications, particularly those which can he considered a direct legacy of either the French 'Annales School' or the British Marxist histori ans; we also hold a sort of cross-section perspective where different authors are examined as contributors to what we could call cultural history. Thus, the proposals cf authors, such as Raymond Williams, Peter Burke, Roger Chartier, and Armand Manerlart are here examined. Last but no least, we gather sorne traces that enable us to describe sorne basic features of the files known as history of communications. We stress the importance of reading a1l media as iterns which are an essential partof a 'cornmunications' regime', and the need to approach the use and appropriation of media as a facet that has to be incorporated into the history of communications. Thus, we assess the scope of our proposal and suggest sorne hints as to the future development of the field.