In 1999, Robert T. Craig published the article "Communication theory as a field" and argued that the field of communication theory ought to be viewed as a practical discipline.

In Practicing Communication Theory: Exploring, Applying, and Teaching the Constitutive Metamodel, editors Marc Howard Rich and Jessica S. Robles expand upon Craig's seminal contribution by assembling diverse and learned voices of international communication scholars to explore the practical, theoretical, and pedagogical implications of Craig's work.

The chapters demonstrate how communication is practiced in the world and how scholars have incorporated Craig's theories into the classroom. Contributors share their experiences redefining, reworking, and complicating traditions of communication. Additional chapters focus on the international community and explore ways communication theory is practiced worldwide.

The closing chapter, written by Craig, responds to the various perspectives presented throughout the book and provides new ideas and insight to further contribute to ongoing conversations about practicing communication theory.

Demonstrating the practical nature of the communication discipline, Practicing Communication Theory is an excellent book for scholars in the field and for graduate courses in communication theory.