28 July 2026
Research Assistant Ayten Bengisu Cansever Bayhan’s book review published in an international academic journal
The book review titled “Modernization, Media, and the Discourse of Development: A Critical Review of Daniel Lerner’s The Passing of Traditional Society,” authored by Research Assistant Ayten Bengisu Cansever Bayhan from the Department of Visual Communication Design, Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA), İstanbul Gelişim University (IGU), has been published in the Fenerbahçe University Journal of Social Sciences. Appearing in the June 2026 issue, the study contributes to the academic literature by offering a contemporary critical evaluation of Daniel Lerner’s The Passing of Traditional Society, widely regarded as one of the foundational works in communication and media studies.
A contemporary perspective on a classic work in communication theory
The book review critically examines the influence of modernization theory on communication research and explores the relationship between media and development. It discusses the historical context in which Daniel Lerner’s work emerged while analyzing how modernization discourse has interpreted social transformation and shaped the field of communication studies.
Rather than merely summarizing the book’s main arguments, the review reassesses modernization theory from the perspective of today’s digital media environment and contemporary communication research. In doing so, it revisits classical communication theories and highlights their continuing relevance to current academic debates.
A critical examination of media, modernization, and development
The study explores the role of media technologies in processes of social change, the ideological dimensions of development discourse, and the impact of modernization theory on communication studies from multiple perspectives. By providing a comprehensive theoretical framework, the review emphasizes the importance of reinterpreting canonical texts within the context of contemporary communication scholarship.
In this respect, the publication serves as a valuable resource for academics, researchers, and students interested in communication theory, media studies, and the historical development of the discipline.
Contributing to academic scholarship
This international academic publication by Research Assistant Ayten Bengisu Cansever Bayhan contributes to the scientific output of İstanbul Gelişim University while enhancing the international visibility of the Department of Visual Communication Design in the fields of communication theory and media studies.
As the Faculty of Fine Arts at İstanbul Gelişim University, we congratulate Research Assistant Ayten Bengisu Cansever Bayhan on this achievement and wish her continued success in her academic endeavors.