Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Abstract

This paper aims at a historical survey of two fundamental scientific approaches to communication and development studies. The first approach, represented by Majid Tehranian was the main approach before the Iranian Revolution (i.e., early 1970s) tries to define national development in a new way. The Second Approach, represented by Kazem Motarnednejad and prevalent after the revolution, is circling around a transformation in communication education and planning. Rejecting the linear approaches to development, Motamednejad's theory is in line with critical studies in communication. The paper shows that in spite of the fact that the starting approach of the first approach is research, while the second approach relies on communication education, both of them cover certain areas of national development strategies.