Communication StudiesAA Degree

This course examines interpersonal communication theory and research as a framework for understanding and explaining human interaction in a variety of social contexts, including contexts arising from personal, professional, familial and romantic relationships. The interdisciplinary field of interpersonal communication draws from psychology, sociology, cultural studies, gender studies and communication studies to understand and analyze individual and group communication behavior and how that behavior influences and is influenced by social realities and institutions (e.g. the family, the workplace). (C-ID COMM 130).

In this course, students learn and apply foundational rhetorical theories and techniques of public speaking in a multicultural democratic society. Students discover, develop, and critically analyze ideas in public discourse through research, reasoning, organization, composition, delivery to a live audience and evaluation of various types of speeches, including informative and persuasive speeches. (C-ID COMM 110).

This course provides students with the foundational knowledge and practice of speech making in a democratic society, while simultaneously emphasizing theory and research about communication in a variety of small group contexts. This course exposes students to rhetorical theory, small group theory and public speaking fundamentals within the context of their interpersonal interactions, group communication processes, and live presentations (including informative and persuasive speeches). Students will learn historical roots and key rhetorical theories that ground the study and practice of public speaking, and be able to discover, develop and critically analyze ideas and information in public discourse. Students will also explore and evaluate group communication processes, including problem-solving, conflict management, decision-making and leadership. (C-ID COMM 140).

This course provides an introduction to intercultural communication in domestic and/or global contexts. Students will develop knowledge, attitudes, and skills to become more effective intercultural communicators. Students will explore the influence of cultures, languages, and social patterns on how members of groups relate among themselves and with members of different ethnic and cultural groups. The course also focuses on the theory and knowledge of effective communication within and between cultures, as well as the appreciation and comparison of communication among diverse groups within the larger context of American culture. (C-ID COMM 150).

This course prepares students for intercollegiate speech and debate tournaments and/or community events. Preparation includes practice, research, writing and participation in a variety of public presentations and intercollegiate speech and debate tournaments. Community events, as well as forensics events, such as debate, platform, limited preparation, oral interpretation, and readers' theatre are emphasized. This course may be repeated 3 times. (C-ID COMM 160B).

This course emphasizes critical thinking, for purposes of constructing, evaluating and revising written essays in preparation for debate, grounded in the rhetorical foundations of argumentation. Students will employ argumentation theory and critical reasoning to draft and revise a sequence of argumentative essays based on inquiry-driven research, methods of analysis, evidence use, and ethical advocacy (minimum 5,000 words). This writing instruction will enable students to prepare persuasive cases that advance, defend and refute reasoned positions, which will also be delivered through debate and public address. (C-ID COMM 120).

Prerequisite: ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E