Courses
The curriculum focuses on the study of communication, how meaning is exchanged in a variety of contexts to a variety of audiences. The basic course teaches students the skills required for presenting a speech-analyzing an audience, listening, coping with fear, using visual aids-as well as the skills they will need to prepare a speech-researching a topic, analyzing arguments and texts, and organizing and outlining material. Beyond that, advanced courses address issues such as conflict management and the communication that occurs in interpersonal relationships, small group settings, intercultural settings, public debate venues, and other performance environments. Courses offered through the program meet transfer requirements for general education, and they may be applied toward an Associate in Arts degree in Communication Studies for Transfer or the Associate in Arts degree with a major in communication studies.
Major
Students majoring in communication studies at the lower-division level concentrate on learning the basics of public speaking and performance.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the communication studies program, students will be able to:
- Advocate a specific topic to an audience of any size.
- Critically assess other speakers' format, content, and delivery and articulate constructive criticism in an oral critique.
- Articulate and dissect models of communication and apply such methods in public speaking and interpersonal settings.
- Research and construct positions on a set topic to communicate and advocate a particular point of view.
- Critically think about how meaning is exchanged and the implications of our Critically think about how meaning is exchanged and the implications of our messages.