Kraus, Sidney (1927—)

Sidney Kraus was among the first observers of political communication to perceive and bring attention to the important function served in election campaigns by televised political debates. He was also among the first to begin challenging the limited effects model of media effects, particularly with regard to television, which had long dominated the field. He began his education at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where he received his BFA (1953) and MFA (1954). In 1959 he earned his PhD from the University of Iowa (Radio and Television). During his academic career, he has taught at Indiana University, the University of Massachusetts, and Cleveland State University, where he served as chair of the department of communication and is now a professor emeritus. In ...