Communication Studies (COMM)

COMM 1000 Effective Public Speaking (TAG) 3 Credits

This course introduces students to the essential strategies and techniques employed by effective public speakers. The course covers strategic audience adaptation throughout the communication process. It provides suggestions for improving speeches in all facets, including invention, organization, style, and delivery. The course emphasizes the critical analysis of the effective and ineffective practices of historical, cultural, and contemporary speakers. It also provides opportunities for students to gain practical experiences in the art of self-expression.

(3 contact hours)

COMM 1050 Fundamentals of Public Speaking 2 Credits

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of public speaking, including invention, organization, style, and delivery. It emphasizes strategic audience adaptation throughout the communication process. It also provides opportunities for students to gain practical experience in public speaking through exercises and speech assignments. This course is designed for non-transfer students specializing in technical programs.

(2 contact hours)

COMM 1100 Effective Interpersonal Communications (TAG) 3 Credits

This introductory course helps students become better communicators and prepares them to cope with everyday problems in face-to-face communication involving family, friends, fellow students, and co-workers. It emphasizes roles, skills, strategies, and activities that help students to develop effective interpersonal relationships. Lectures, discussions, and exercises enable students to critically assess the impact that gender, culture, perception, conflict, self-disclosure, listening, language, non-verbal expression, and emotions have on interpersonal communication transactions.

(3 contact hours)

COMM 1150 Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communications 2 Credits

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of interpersonal communication. The course helps students become better communicators and prepares them to cope with everyday problems in face-to-face communication involving family, friends, fellow students, and co-workers. It emphasizes basic roles, skills, strategies, and activities that will help students to develop effective interpersonal relationships. Lectures, discussions, and exercises focus on the impact that gender, perception, self-disclosure, listening, language, non-verbal expression, and emotions have on interpersonal communication transactions. This course is designed for non-transfer students specializing in technical programs.

(2 contact hours)

COMM 2000 Advanced Public Speaking 3 Credits

Prerequisite: COMM 1000 or COMM 1050.

This advanced course builds upon the concepts established in the basic public speaking courses. It refines the understanding of the relationship between audience-centered discourse and the traditional elements of an effective public speech. The course features an analytic framework in which students can more effectively write and assess speeches. Students will further enhance their skills, strategies, and knowledge concerning effective communication practices in social, business, and professional settings. This course provides significant opportunities for students to improve their own public speaking.

(3 contact hours)

COMM 2100 Conflict Management 3 Credits

This course will help students develop the skills necessary to foster effective conflict management in personal and professional contexts. Students will explore behavioral theories and research relevant to relational conflict management, identify causes and types of conflict, recognize dysfunctional patterns in relationships, distinguish, and apply effective and appropriate conflict management approaches and strategies, and explain strategies that assist in preventing and minimizing conflict such as anger management techniques. The course will emphasize communication strategies, skills and tools that foster effective conflict management to foster and sustain nurturing interpersonal relationships in all facets of life. Although it is not a prerequisite for this course, students will benefit from having taken either COMM 1000 Effective Public Speaking or COMM 1100 Effective Interpersonal Communication prior to taking this course.

(3 contact hours)

COMM 2300 Small Group Communication (TAG) 3 Credits

Prerequisite: COMM 1000 or COMM 1050 or COMM 1100 or COMM 1150 or permission of instructor.

This advanced class builds upon the fundamental skills taught in the introductory speech courses. It assists students in the work world and in social activities by helping them develop necessary skills for participating in task group situations. The course examines panels, forums, meetings, seminars, symposia, and committees in regard to working with people in small group situations.

(3 contact hours)