Communication
COMM 3. Fundamentals of Public Communication
Theories of human communication and their function in contemporary public settings; experiences designed to enhance fundamental communication skills -- research, organization, reasoning, listening, and problem solving -- through a series of oral presentations. G.E. Foundation A1.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
GE Area: A1
COMM 4. Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
Introduction to various theories of interpersonal communication; participation in experiences designed to enhance competence in interpersonal relationships.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
COMM 5. Argumentation
Logical analysis, evidence, reasoning, and proof used in arriving at rational decisions as demonstrated through presentation of public speeches and debates. G.E. Foundation A3.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
GE Area: A3
COMM 7. Persuasion
Analysis and practice of the use of persuasion as a social tool for resolving controversy and forming opinions from the perspectives of both the persuader and the persuaded. G.E. Foundation A1.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
GE Area: A1
COMM 8. Group Discussion
Communication in group thinking and problem solving through preparation and presentation of panels and symposia on public issues. G.E. Foundation A1.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
GE Area: A1
COMM 10T. Topics in Communication
Contemporary problems and issues in communication; sections include such topics as freedom of speech, parliamentary procedure, special communication skills, rhetoric of protest and response, and communication processes.
Units: 1-3, Repeatable up to 9 units
COMM 15. Forensics Laboratory
This course provides instruction and experience in competitive policy debate and public debate Course credit for tournament competition and public debate participation is available.
Units: 3, Repeatable up to 6 units
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
COMM 100. Theories of Human Communication
Survey of major theories of human communication, philosophical issues, and applications; theories include interpersonal, group, organizational, intercultural, linguistic, and persuasion. A grade of C or better is required for all Communication Majors.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
COMM 103. Advanced Public Speaking
Advanced principles of expository and persuasive speaking; development of skills through analysis, preparation, organization, and delivery of various types of speech.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Spring
COMM 105. Argumentation Theory
Analysis of the theories and techniques of argumentation, including models of argument, relationships between persuasion and argumentation, and the effects of argumentative discourse.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall
COMM 108. Communication and the Small Group
Analysis of group communication theories and their application to small group behavior in specific variables such as leadership, power, conflict-resolution, conformity, cohesiveness, and related group processes.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Spring
COMM 114. Communication and Learning
(COMM 114 same as CI 158.) The nature of communication and its relationship to learning and instruction; management of oral communication strategies in the educational setting.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
COMM 115. Advanced Forensics Laboratory
This course provides advanced instruction and experience in competitive policy debate and public debate. Course credit for tournament competition and public debate participation is available.
Units: 3, Repeatable up to 6 units
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
COMM 116. Communication and Humor
Develop your sense of humor and learn to incorporate humor into your world by examining humor theories, social and personal functions of humor. Focuses on (1) stand-up comedy, writing, and presentation, or (2) application of techniques for management, sales, marketing, teaching, and health related fields.
Units: 3
COMM 117S. Civic Engagement, Advocacy, and Forensic Service
Comm 3, Comm 5, Comm 7, or Comm 8 with a Grade C or Better. Service learning in speech and debate. Participation in judging forensics competitions, coaching students participating in forensics activities, and taking part in civic engagement.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Spring
COMM 120. Gender Communication
Exploration of gender variables that affect human communication behaviors, focusing on behaviors that have some mythical or factual bases in sex similarities and differences.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall
COMM 130. Environmental Communication
Exploration of communication about the environment. Examine ways individuals and collectives, such as corporations, governments, scientists, and citizens, describe, persuade, and shape human interactions with the environment. Study how communication processes and perspectives inform and are informed by environmental interrelationships. (Formerly COMM 188T)
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall
COMM 140. Rhetorical Theory
An examination and analysis of significant theories and theorists of rhetoric from the classical to the modern period. Emphasis on preparation of research papers reflecting rhetorical principles of communication. A grade of C or better is required for all Communication Majors.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
COMM 142. Communication Criticism
Examination of historical and contemporary communication events using principles of critical evaluation from rhetorical, artistic, and media perspectives. Written papers and presentations of analyses utilizing critical principles from these perspectives. A grade of C or better is required for all Communication Majors.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
COMM 144. Rhetoric of Terrorism
Examines the discourse of foreign policy officials, news media, pop culture, and terrorists to explore the relationships among these rhetorics, public perceptions of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, and foreign policy in the "war on terrorism." (Formerly COMM 188T)
Units: 3
COMM 148. American Public Address
An examination of significant American speakers and speeches set in an environment of social and political history. The course is designed to acquaint students with the role of public address within the forces of American history.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Spring
COMM 149. Freedom of Speech
Examines the tradition of freedom of speech and expression in the American democracy. Focuses upon the First Amendment to the Constitution and major case laws which impact contemporary standards for public discourse, politics, broadcast, and journalism.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall
COMM 150. Communication and Aging
(COMM 150 same as GERON 150.) Focusing on the communication aspects of the aging process, organized around the major communication components of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and mass communication with addition of such topics as attitudes, stereotypes, nonverbal, and the communication aspects of health care.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall
COMM 160. Meaning, Language, and Communication
A review and analysis of the various approaches to the study of human symbolic behavior, with focus on such theories as: General Semantics, Psycholinguistics, Sociolinguistics, Epistemology, and other philosophical and scientific enquiries into the nature of language and meaning.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall
COMM 161. Family Communication
Examine communication theories and empirical findings related to interaction in relationships such as parent-child, sibling, romantic, and grandparent-grandchild. Coverage also includes blended and non-traditional family forms. Investigate positive and sub-optimal processes including conflict, relational dissolution, and abuse.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Spring
COMM 162. Interpersonal Communication
An examination, analysis, and application of communication theories and variables involved in interpersonal contexts such acquaintanceships, courtships, friendships, and families. Attention is given to communicative practices involved in the effective management of interpersonal relationships over time.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
COMM 163. Social Influence and Attitude Change
Seminar on the nature and effects of social influence, with special emphasis on attitude formation and change, conformity, behavior, "brain washing," prejudice, and propaganda as functions of communication.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
COMM 164. Intercultural Communication
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. Analysis of cultural variables and factors in the communication process and strategies for the resolution of intercultural problems; consideration of implications for education and programs necessarily involving intercultural communication. Multicultural/International M/I.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
COMM 165. Computer Applications in Communication
Survey of information technologies and computer applications in human communication professions, including word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, presentation visuals, e-mail, and Internet. Advanced techniques for creating Web pages, reports, training, presentations, brochures, and newsletters.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
COMM 166. Communication Research Methods
Application of behavioral research principles to problems in quantification, design, and analysis of data in communication research. A grade of C or better is required for all Communication Majors.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
COMM 167. Leadership in Groups and Organizations
Theory and practice of selected leadership variables in groups and organizations; functions of leadership in formal and informal structures, understanding and analysis of role-playing techniques.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall
COMM 168. Communication in Organizations
Examination of organizational communication from a multiple discipline perspective. Through the study of theory and experiential learning in simulations, students develop skills necessary for planning, staffing, developing, decision-making, and problem-solving in organizations.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
COMM 169. Communication and Conflict
Examination of the role of communication in conflict in interpersonal, small groups, organizational, and societal settings. Through experiential learning, case study analyses, and practice of intervention skills, students address conflict styles, strategies, tactics, third-party intervention, and mediation techniques.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Spring
COMM 170. Business and Professional Speaking
Development of communication skills necessary for success in business, government, and the professions. Includes theory and practice of interviewing, job instruction training, work group leadership, and proposal presentations. Class activities are adapted to students' career goals.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Spring
COMM 171. Communication and Planning Change in the Social System
Provides students with an understanding of the communication processes involved in the evolution of social systems. Students will examine a full range of social settings (small groups, organizations, cultures, etc.) from a variety of theoretical and analytical perspectives.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall
COMM 176. Communication Consulting and Training
Development of skills necessary for effective communication consulting in business, government, and the professions. Includes theory and practice of needs assessments, planning and conducting training activities, and evaluation of educational activities; topics relating to adult education and client-consultant relationships.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Spring
COMM 179I. Internship
Prerequisites: major in communication, at least 75 units completed and permission of instructor. Supervised work experience in government, business, social agencies, or nonprofit organizations. CR/NC grading only.
Units: 1-6, Repeatable up to 12 units
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
COMM 188T. Topics in Communication
Selected topics in communication.
Units: 1-3, Repeatable up to 9 units
COMM 188T. Communication and Youth
Youth is a social category representing non-adulthood or otherwise minor status. Commonly considered a biological given, youth is, in fact, a symbolic cultural artifact whose meaning is created and bound by specific social infrastructures involving policy, people, and practice. With this in mind, this course uses theory to examine communication and rhetoric as shapers of youth realities within and across cultures, historical moments, and popular imaginaries used to inform and persuade audiences. This topic may not be repeated for credit. (Offered Spring 2023)
Units: 3
COMM 188T. Rhetoric and Gaming
Play (ludism) is a constitutive element of culture. Enacted in specific contexts, play and games are inherently rhetorical phenomena. In this course, we explore ludic theory and practice from a rhetorical perspective, emphasizing emplaced, technical, and procedural rhetorics. We analyze and create technical communication, including instructions and reviews, and we design and create games collaboratively informed by our survey of the scholarship on play, games, and culture. Can count in organizational/professional or as an upper-division elective This topic may not be repeated for credit. (Offered Spring 2023)
Units: 3
COMM 189. Projects in Communication
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Projects in communication. (4 hours activity)
Units: 1-3, Repeatable up to 6 units
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
COMM 190. Independent Study
See Academic Placement -- Independent Study. Approved for RP grading.
Units: 1-3, Repeatable up to 6 units
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
COMM 205. Seminar in Argumentation
Prerequisite: COMM 105, COMM 140, or permission of instructor. Examination of traditional and contemporary argumentation theory and research. Analysis of argument fields, theories of argument, argument as epistemic, argument and persuasion, argument and critical thinking.
Units: 3
COMM 210. Teaching Practicum
Instruction in the development of effective public speaking, including course/material design and instructional strategy. Supervision of graduate teaching associate preparation, classroom teaching, and assessment. Required for all first-semester graduate teaching associates.
Units: 3
COMM 214. Seminar in Instructional Communication
An examination of the relationships of learning theories to communication study and research. Research in instructional communication, teaching strategies in communication education, and techniques for applying these concepts in educational and training settings.
Units: 3
COMM 215. Seminar in Communication
Research and individually directed work within one area of specialization. Approved for RP grading.
Units: 3, Repeatable up to 9 units
COMM 241. Seminar in Rhetorical Theory
Prerequisite: COMM 140, equivalent, or permission of instructor. A seminar which deals with the development of specific principles by selected theorists.
Units: 3
COMM 242M. Seminar in Contemporary Criticism
Prerequisite: COMM 142, equivalent, or permission of instructor. The role of rhetorical criticism in contemporary society.
Units: 3
COMM 243. Seminar in Public and Strategic Discourse
A detailed study of the theory and practice of public discourse used to persuade audiences regarding the nature and resolution of political, social, religious, and economic problems.
Units: 3
COMM 262. Seminar in Communication Theory and Research
Prerequisite: COMM 100, equivalent, or permission of instructor. An examination and evaluation of mathematical, philosophical, sociological, psychological, and rhetorical theories of human communication. Emphasis upon the assumptions and implications of various theories, models, and constructs.
Units: 3
COMM 263. Seminar in Group Communication
Prerequisite: COMM 108, equivalent, or permission of instructor. A critical examination of the scientific research and theories in group communication including research variables and methodologies. Implications of research findings for contemporary communication problems.
Units: 3
COMM 264M. Seminar in Communication Research Methods
Prerequisite: Application of quantitative, qualitative, and/or critical methodologies to a variety of problems studied in human communication. Discussion of design, analysis, and interpretation of quantitative and/or experiences.
Units: 3
COMM 265. Seminar in Interpersonal Communication
Prerequisite: COMM 162, equivalent, or permission of instructor. An examination of current quantitative and qualitative theory and research in interpersonal communication. Implications and applications to various kinds of human relationships and various aspects of those relationships, e.g., stages, relational communication, attraction, conflict, self-disclosing. (Formerly SPCH 265)
Units: 3
COMM 266. Seminar in Communication and Culture
An examination of current critical, humanitsitc, and/or social scientific approaches to studying the communicative construction, negotiation, and performance of cultural identities and practices.
Units: 3
COMM 268. Seminar in Organizational Communication
Prerequisite: COMM 168, equivalent, or permission of instructor. Theory and application of organizational communication, including interpersonal and group communication in planning, staffing, development and decision making in complex organizations; organizational systems and environments; recognizing, diagnosing, and solving organizational problems.
Units: 3
COMM 275. Seminar in Applied Communication
An extended examination of theories, research methodologies, and professional practices regarding communication in a specific applied context (e.g., health communication, risk communication, legal communication, etc.).
Units: 3
COMM 276. Seminar in Communication Training and Development
Prerequisite: COMM 176, equivalent, or permission of instructor. In-depth view and application of approaches to training in communication skills in organizations including needs assessment for training, workshop and seminar development, and evaluation of interventions.
Units: 3
COMM 290. Independent Study
See Academic Placement -- Independent Study. Approved for RP grading.
Units: 1-3, Repeatable up to 6 units
COMM 298. Project
Prerequisite: prior advancement to candidacy, appropriate methodological tools (COMM 242M or COMM 264M), equivalent, or permission of student's committee. See Criteria for Thesis and Project. Preparation, design, conduct, and evaluation of project applying rhetorical and communication theories; e.g., communication campaign for public agency, communication audit of corporate organization, extensive consulting or training activites, etc. Requires scholarly report similar in format to thesis and final oral defense. Approved for RP grading.
Units: 2-6
COMM 298C. Project Contiunation
Pre-requisite: Project 298. For continuous enrollment while completing the project. May enroll twice with department approval. Additional enrollments must be approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies.
Units: 0
COMM 299. Thesis
Prerequisite: appropriate methodological tools (COMM 242M or COMM 264M), equivalent, or permission of student's committee. See Criteria for Thesis and Project. Preparation, completion, and submission of an acceptable thesis for the master's degree. Approved for RP grading.
Units: 2-6
COMM 299C. Thesis Continuation
Prerequisite: COMM 299. For continuous enrollment while completing the thesis. May enroll twice with department approval. Additional enrollments must be approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies.
Units: 0
EHD 155B. Studt Tchg Spch
Prerequisites: admission to student teaching, EHD 155A, CI 161 (or concurrently, depending on major departmental policy); senior or post baccalaureate standing; approval of major department including subject matter competency approval; completion of the subject matter preparation program or passing the subject matter examination(s) designated by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Supervised teaching in single subject classroom; assignment is for the full day; five days per week. CR/NC grading only.
Units: 5-10, Repeatable up to 20 units
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
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