Communication Studies
About the Program
The Communication Studies Program currently offers a Certificate of Achievement Level 1 and an Associate in Arts for Transfer. Communication Studies is the study of human communication. It includes public speaking, argumentation and persuasion, and interpersonal, intercultural, and small group communication. The importance of communication awareness, training, and skills are essential for successful and fulfilling personal, professional, and academic relationships and activities. Communication skills, theory, and practice are useful in any career including: education, business management, communication management, journalism, law enforcement, mass media and media arts, political science, public policy and administration, social work, public relations, advertising, broadcasting, technology, and finance.
Certificates/Degrees
- Certificate of Achievement – Level 1
- AA-T Degree
For additional information, see a counselor, visit the Career/Transfer Center, or contact the following:
| Name/Office | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Communication Studies Department | (408) 288-3719 |
COMS 010 Interpersonal Communication 3 Units
Students will study principles of verbal and nonverbal transactions that occur in relationships. The course includes the study of theory and research findings and their application to communication in interpersonal relationships in personal and professional contexts. (C-ID COMM 130)
Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: None Repeatable: No Grading: L
Recommended: Prior completion of ENGL C1000
Advisory Level: Read: 4 Write: 4 Math: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC Degree Applicable: AA/AS
For General Education (GE) information, please refer to assist.org or consult a counselor.
COMS 018 Introduction to Communication Studies 3 Units
Students examine the discipline of communication studies with emphasis on multiple epistemological, theoretical, and methodological issues relevant to the theoretical inquiry and pursuit of knowledge about human communication. Students explore the basic history, assumptions, principles, processes, methods, and specializations of human communication as an academic field of study. (C-ID COMM 180)
Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: None Repeatable: No Grading: L
Recommended: Prior completion of ENGL C1000 is highly recommended
Advisory Level: Read: 4 Write: 4 Math: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC Degree Applicable: AA/AS
For General Education (GE) information, please refer to assist.org or consult a counselor.
COMS 020 Public Speaking 3 Units
Students will acquire theories and techniques of public speaking in a democratic society. Students focus on the following public speaking elements: rhetorical theory, researching, organizing and outlining a topic, analyzing an audience, effective use of language, ethics, effective presentation aids, critical listening, credibility, and physical delivery. Students will examine discovery, development, and criticism of ideas in public discourse through reasoning, organization, composition, presentation, and evaluation of various types of speeches including informative and persuasive speeches. (C-ID COMM 110)
Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: None Repeatable: No Grading: L
Advisory Level: Read: 4 Write: 4 Math: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC Degree Applicable: AA/AS
For General Education (GE) information, please refer to assist.org or consult a counselor.
COMS 035 Intercultural Communication 3 Units
Students will study intercultural communication in domestic and global contexts. They will examine the influence of cultures, languages, and social patterns on how members of groups relate among themselves and with members of different cultural groups. They will develop skills for appreciation and comparison of communication among diverse groups within the larger context of U.S.-American culture. (C-ID COMM 150)
Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: None Repeatable: No Grading: L
Advisory Level: Read: 4 Write: 4 Math: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC Degree Applicable: AA/AS
For General Education (GE) information, please refer to assist.org or consult a counselor.
COMS 040 Argumentation and Debate 3 Units
Students will be provided with foundational knowledge of argumentation and debate concepts and theories, enabling them to effectively express dissent and present arguments in various contexts and public speaking settings. Students will also learn to critically evaluate the arguments of others. The course covers key concepts such as Aristotle's modes of persuasion: ethos, pathos, and logos; audience analysis; ethics in argumentation; critical listening; and effective verbal and nonverbal practices for successful argumentation. Additionally, the course includes an analysis of strong evidence and the reasoning process necessary for effective argumentation and the presentation of arguments to live audiences. (C-ID COMM 120)
Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: None Repeatable: No Grading: L
Advisory Level: Read: 4 Write: 4 Math: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC Degree Applicable: AA/AS
For General Education (GE) information, please refer to assist.org or consult a counselor.
COMS 045 Small Group Communication 3 Units
Students will focus on effective communication and presentation within small group settings. This course explores the foundational knowledge and practical application of public speaking to help students effectively deliver informative and persuasive messages in group contexts. (C-ID COMM 140)
Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: None Repeatable: No Grading: L
Advisory Level: Read: 4 Write: 4 Math: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC Degree Applicable: AA/AS
For General Education (GE) information, please refer to assist.org or consult a counselor.
COMS 050 New Media Today 3 Units
Students will be able to describe and explain the use of each "new" medium and design a multimedia presentation using one of the "new" media formats that major companies use today to provide information. This course introduces students to identifying today's "new" media, such as music streaming, social media applications, and podcasting. Students will learn multimedia hands-on skills that will be applied to the mass media industry.
Lecture Hours: 2 Lab Hours: 2 Repeatable: No Grading: L
Advisory Level: Read: 3 Write: 3 Math: None
Transfer Status: CSU Degree Applicable: AA/AS
For General Education (GE) information, please refer to assist.org or consult a counselor.
COMS 098 Directed Study in Communication Studies 0.5-9 Units
Individual or small groups of students, with previous course work in the discipline, who would benefit from Independent Study under the direction of faculty members in specific or related disciplines, may develop individualized learning contracts designed to enhance their individual instructional programs. The students and the faculty member in consultation with the Division Dean will determine appropriate learning objectives and activities as well as the number of units to be earned. Instructions and the Learning Contract forms are available in the Division Office. Repeatable to a maximum of 9 units across all disciplines.
Lecture Hours: None Lab Hours: 2.07 Repeatable: Yes Grading: O
Prerequisite: COMS 010 or COMS 018 or COMM-C1000 or COMS 035 or COMS 040 or COMS 045; all with C or better.
Advisory Level: Read: 4 Write: 4 Math: 1
Transfer Status: CSU Degree Applicable: AA/AS
For General Education (GE) information, please refer to assist.org or consult a counselor.
COMS 170 Introduction to Visual Communications 3 Units
Students will be introduced to the theories of visual communication using still images found in mass media. Students will analyze images in newspapers, advertising, television, magazines, billboards, films, and videos to interpret messages. Discussion and demonstration of the tools used in analyzing visual communication as well as creation and analysis of images for print, Web, and video are included in this course. Students will design their visual imagery and create sound to help tell a story and enhance the image's impact.
Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: None Repeatable: No Grading: L
Advisory Level: Read: 3 Write: 3 Math: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC Degree Applicable: AA/AS
For General Education (GE) information, please refer to assist.org or consult a counselor.
COMS 190 Introduction to Persuasion 3 Units
Students will examine historical and contemporary approaches to persuasive messages throughout time. They will focus on the presentation of persuasive appeals while learning to construct, deliver, and critique persuasive messages. Students will be introduced to inductive and deductive reasoning processes to establish logical conclusions. They will identify formal and informal fallacies of language and thought in order to develop the ability to distinguish matters of factual evidence from opinion or judgment. Students will confidently and ethically present persuasive appeals in front of live audiences. (C-ID COMM 190)
Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: None Repeatable: No Grading: L
Recommended: COMM C1000 or ENGL C1000
Advisory Level: Read: 3 Write: 3 Math: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC Degree Applicable: AA/AS
For General Education (GE) information, please refer to assist.org or consult a counselor.