?
«Нет ничего практичнее, чем хорошая теория»: прикладная коммуникативистика Вольфганга Донсбаха
ommunication science is a relatively young field of study. Wolfgang Donsbach (1949–2015) was one of the major figures in its establishment and development. This paper is devoted to the evaluation of Donsbach’s academic heritage and the clarification of his role for contemporary communication science. Considering theory and practice as unseparable components of contemporary media system, Donsbach emphasized the crucial role of media and communication studies in the re-production of autopoietic media system. As a researcher, Donsbach focused on the relationship between media-effects and public opinion. Developing theoretical and methodological instruments Donsbach and his co- authors ran a number of empirical investigations, which were extensively discussed until today. Practical orientation of Donsbach’s studies contributed to his major aim – justification of the complementary character of theory and practice, which determines the disciplinary identity of communication studies as a positive science.