DEGREE SHEETS
COURSES
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This program offers students a solid foundation in communication theory and extensive practice in application of communication skills. COM courses cover public speaking, interpersonal communication, group communication, intercultural communication, film criticism, survey of rhetorical studies, survey of communication studies, argumentation and debate, and a variety of special topics within the discipline.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Graduates of this program will have the opportunity to:
1. Demonstrate effective and appropriate communication choices as
sender, receiver, and observer.
2. Understand the human communication process in a variety of
contexts: interpersonal, public, group and mass.
3. Understand, analyze and evaluate major theories of communication
as they invent, research, organize and deliver structured
speeches, papers or projects.
4. Demonstrate competence with technologies and equipment common
to communication practices.
5. Apply critical analysis and logical thinking toward making informed,
reasonable and equitable decisions.
PROGRAM ADVISING
The Department of Communication recommends you seek a department-based advisor before beginning your A.A. in Communication. Department advisors will help you with several items including:
- Declaring your major in Journalism and Media Studies
- Explaining what classes are offered during which semesters
- Creating a semester-by-semester course plan
To find a department advisor, click here. |
COMMUNICATION COURSE LIST
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ORAL COMMUNICATION
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Course Description
Theory and practice in spoken communication, including prepared and
extemporaneous speaking experience.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Help students understand that communication is dynamic involving
constant change and development.
2. Familiarize students with both the basic concepts and differences
between informative, persuasive, and entertainment speeches.
3. Help students internalize the basic principles of delivery
(i.e. impromptu, extemporaneous, manuscript, and memorized).
4. Increase students' ability to become critical listeners.
5. Help students understand the use of visual aids in the speech
making process.
6. Introduce students to the basic skills of argumentation and critical
thinking.
7. Give insight as to how a speaker must adjust and adapt to various
audience dynamics.
8. Emphasize the importance of outlining and supporting materials in
the speech making process.
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ORAL COMMUNICATION
HONORS
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Course Description
An Honors level study of theory and practice in spoken
communication, including prepared and extemporaneous speaking
experience. Honors emphasizes a greater body of research and
focuses on a required theme. Courses with "G" suffixes are
designated Honors level courses and can be used to fulfill
equivalent general education requirements.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students successfully completing the course should be able to:
1. Understand that communication is dynamic.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts and differences
between informative, persuasive and entertainment speeches.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of delivery
(i.e. impromptu, extemporaneous, manuscript and memorized).
4. Demonstrate the ability to analyze and evaluate speeches.
5. Understand the use of visual aids in the speech making process.
6. Demonstrate the basic skills of argumentation.
7. Demonstrate ability to be able to adapt to various audiences.
8. Demonstrate the ability to research and outline a speech.
9. Understand the relationship and ethical responsibilities of speaker
to audience.
10. Develop a body of primary research organized around a globally
relevant theme.
11. Demonstrate the ability to apply diverse viewpoints in relation to
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INTRODUCTION TO
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
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Course Description
Examination of theories of effective interpersonal communication
with in-class exercises designed to provide practical application of
theory. Prerequisite: ENG 100 or 101.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Explain why humans communicate and how the communication
process contributes to our humanity.
2. Identify the characteristics, principles, and contexts of the
communication process.
3. Describe the development and importance of the self-concept
and self-disclosure to others.
4. Discuss the selective nature of perception and apply it to the
spread of rumors.
5. Demonstrate deliberative and empathic listening skills and use
them in the feedback process.
6. Summarize how language works, adapt verbal messages
appropriately to individuals in various contexts, verbalize
feelings, and relay verbal messages accurately.
7. Send and interpret spatial, visual, and vocal nonverbal messages
in a way that contributes to the meaning in communication.
8. Adopt a healthy attitude toward and style of coping with conflict.
9. Recognize the benefits of self-assertiveness and detect
manipulative behaviors in self and others.
10. Recognize stages in the development of intimate relationships
and corresponding communication behaviors.
11. Begin a continuing process of communication assessment and
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APPLIED COMMUNICATION
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Course Description
Emphasis placed on improving oral and written communication
skills in the workplace, including organizational networks,
interviewing, presentations, listening and groups. Culture and
personality are analyzed.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course the student should:
1. Recognize and appreciate the centrality of communication
behavior in their professional lives.
2. Recognize formal and informal communication networks.
3. Learn to be an effective interviewer and a well-prepared
interviewee.
4. Enlarge their communicative competence and confidence as
a result of the preparation, presentation, and analysis of
oral and written messages.
5. Be able to differentiate between verbal and non-verbal symbols.
6. Be more effective listeners.
7. Develop conflict resolution skills.
8. Develop their critical thinking, reasoning, organizational, and
research skills.
9. Identify and understand differences in individual and
organizational cultures.
10. Effectively communicate and function in a group setting.
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COM 116
CRITICAL REASONING
IN DAILY LIFE
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Course Description
Theory and practice of critical reasoning applied to a variety of
everyday communicational forms, including arguments, narratives,
advertisements, films, protests, performances and public spaces.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who satisfactorily complete the requirements of this
course will be able to:
1. Examine and evaluate "everyday" forms of persuasion and
argumentation, from arguments to narratives, aesthetics,
visuals, advertisements, films, protests, performances and
public spaces.
2. Apply practical tools of critical thinking and reasoning by
examining the surplus of texts and messages that make up out
daily lives.
3. Assess proof and reasonableness in texts ranging from rational
arguments to narratives and from fear appeals to aesthetic
visual and language strategies.
4. Describe and analyze both theoretical/analytical approaches
to textual production as well as practical/evaluative
approaches to critical thinking.
5. Demonstrate a critical consumer's analysis of public texts and
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COM 133
CULTURE & COMMUNICATION
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Course Description
Introduction of theory, analysis and practice in understanding
culture and its impact on communication. Emphasis on the use of
cultural awareness and multicultural sensitivity to improve oral
and written communication skills.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Increased understanding and awareness of culture as it informs
communication practices.
2. Students should have an increased awareness of the multicultural
diversity that surrounds them.
3. Students should recognize and adapt to not only their own
cultural perceptions, but to those of their classmates and
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CINEMA AS
ART & COMMUNICATION
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Course Description
An appreciative survey of cinema in its diverse forms. Historical
and stylistic influences on the aesthetic values and social
implications of cinema. Illustrated by screen examples.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Assess changes in both form and content of film over time.
2. Demonstrate appreciation of Cinematic Arts.
3. Articulate understanding of how films communicate messages.
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INTERNSHIP
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Course Description
A supervised workshop experience in a local television studio, radio
station, newspaper, advertising agency, public relations firm or any
other organization relating to communication. Can be repeated for
a total of 6 credits. Prerequisite: Approval of the station,
newspaper, agency or firm where internship will be completed and
approval from the Department of Communication Internship
Coordinator. To go to the internship web page, click here.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Students will receive on-the-job, real-world experience in a job
field of their choice.
2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the daily
operations of their place of internship.
3. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the specific job
skills needed to succeed at their place of internship.
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ADVANCED
PUBLIC SPEAKING
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Course Description
Advanced theory and practice in spoken communication, including
prepared, extemporaneous, oral interpretation and impromptu
speaking experience. Emphasis on advanced delivery and research
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Help students further their understanding that communication is
dynamic involving constant change and development.
2. Familiarize students with both advanced concepts of and
differences between informative, persuasive, special occasion,
oral interpretation and impromptu speeches.
3. Help students internalize advanced principles of delivery
(memorized/conversational, impromptu, oral interpretive,
extemporaneous).
4. Increase students' ability to listen critically.
5. Help students perfect visual aid use during a variety of speaking
environments.
6. Introduce students to advanced skills of argumentation and critical
thinking.
7. Provide insight as to how a speaker can increase his/her
effectiveness by smoothly adapting to audience dynamics and
different speaking environments.
8. Emphasize the importance of advanced outlining techniques and
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SURVEY OF
RHETORICAL STUDIES
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Course Description
Survey of historical development of various rhetorical canons,
concepts, and perspectives beginning with ancient Greek and
Roman discourse and concluding with contemporary rhetoric.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Recognize the major rhetorical theorists.
2. Understand their major rhetorical theories and how those
theories have influenced rhetorical practice.
3. Understand the major historical, social and political influences
on those theorists and their theories from ancient Greece to
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INTRODUCTION TO
GROUP COMMUNICATION
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Course Description
Principles of small group communication and probleming solving
theory and practice.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Learn specific organizational and behavioral techniques for
effective group discussion.
2. Gain active experience in planning, conducting and
participating in public discussion, committee meetings and
conferences.
3. Recognize and apply principles of cohesiveness, roles,
leadership, norms, conflict management and group discussion
making.
4. Develop advanced listening skills.
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SURVEY OF
COMMUNICATION STUDIES
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Course Description
Analysis of the contexts, principles, and values of human
communication grounded in communication theory. Focuses on
developing competency in the areas of intrapersonal,
interpersonal, small group, organization, and public communication.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Expose students to the breadth of the communication field
(intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, organizational, mediated,
intercultural)
2. Familiarize students with basic concepts and principles of
communication theories and research (e.g. persuasion, nonverbal
communication) in these different communication fields.
3. Help students recognize how communication theories and principles
affect their daily lives.
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ARGUMENTATION & DEBATE
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Course Description
Study of the basic principles of argumentation and their application in
academic debate. Emphasis on the use of reasoning skills in oral
communication.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Students will learn the basic principles of argumentation.
2. Students will apply argumentation skills in three papers including a
refutation of an exisiting written argument, a policy paper and an
analysis of an argument situation.
3. Students will learn basic debate formats.
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DEBATE PRACTICUM
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Course Description
The course is designed for students who are participants in
intercollegiate forensic competition. This course may be taken a
maximum of three (3) times. Prerequisite: COM 217.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Students can apply argumentation theory, organizational
patterns and the use of evidence to construct affirmative and
negative case positions.
2. Students can evaluate argument and substantiate debate outcomes
through the use of appropriate judging paradigms. Students should
be able to write a coherent reason for decision with regards to who
won and lost a debate round.
3. Students should understand the use of refutation strategies and
techniques and it's importance in competition.
4. Students should understand the connection between ethos, logos
and pathos and how it applies to delivery skills and credibility in
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SPECIAL TOPICS
IN COMMUNICATION
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Course Description
Investigates a special topic and/or area of interest within the field of
Communication Studies.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of themes,
theories and topics of interest in the field of Communication.
2. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding and
application of written, verbal and visual communication.
3. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of, and the
ability to use, related technology required in the field of
Communication.
4. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the
relationship between diversity and communication and how
diversity relates to different theories and topics of interest in
the field of Communication.
5. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding and
application of communication themes, theories and topics of
interest in their everyday lives.
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