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Communication

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses

The number-one skill identified by employers is the ability to communicate clearly in both oral and written form. The number-two skill identified by employers is the ability to work effectively as a member of a group or team. Communication courses are vital to developing the communication skills necessary for personal and professional success.

Communication courses offer instruction and practice in a variety of communication settings. The program includes theory and practice in public speaking, group work, and interpersonal relationships. Critical thinking, listening, and communicating across cultures are also part of the program.

Degrees Offered

A.A.-T. in Communication Studies 2.0

Dean Pam Chao
Department Chair David Austin
Phone (916) 484-8653
Email askhb-LAC@arc.losrios.edu

Associate Degree for Transfer

A.A.-T. in Communication Studies 2.0

This degree provides a foundation for students to transfer to a CSU campus with a major in Communication, Speech Communication, Communications, or Communication Studies.

The Associate in Arts degree in Communication Studies for Transfer provides students with a major that fulfills the general requirements of the California State University for transfer. Students with this degree will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University system.

The Associate in Arts degree in Communication Studies for Transfer (A.A.-T.) may be obtained by the completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA, including (a) the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program outlined below (earning a minimum grade of “C” or “P” in these courses), and (b) either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education Breadth Requirements.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
COMM 301	Introduction to Public Speaking	3
COMM 321	Interpersonal Communication	3
A minimum of 9 units from the following:		9
COMM 302	Persuasive Speech (3)
COMM 311	Argumentation and Debate (3)
COMM 325	Intercultural Communication (3)
COMM 331	Group Discussion (3)
COMM 361	The Communication Experience (3)
COMM 362	Mediated Communication Experience (3)
JOUR 310	Mass Media and Society (3)
A minimum of 3 units from the following:		3
ANTH 310	Cultural Anthropology (3)
or ANTH 481	Honors Cultural Anthropology (3)
ENGWR 302	Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
or ENGWR 303	Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking Through Literature (4)
or ENGWR 482	Honors Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
JOUR 300	Newswriting and Reporting (3)
PSYC 300	General Principles (3)
or PSYC 480	Honors General Principles (3)
SOC 300	Introductory Sociology (3)
or SOC 480	Introductory Sociology - Honors (3)
Or any course not already used from the previous list.
Total Units:		18

The Associate in Arts in Communication Studies 2.0 for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, including (a) a minimum grade of "C" (or "P") for each course in the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education-Breadth Requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

assess the factors which contribute to communication competency.
generate strategies to communicate effectively with others in dyads, groups, and public situations.
evaluate the role of communication in human interactions.
analyze evidence, reasoning, and persuasive appeals for credibility, logic, and relevance.
demonstrate skills and behaviors which contribute to open and respectful communication of diverse ideas and beliefs.

Career Information

A primary skill employers in all fields seek is effective communication. A degree in Communication Studies enriches personal development and enhances opportunities for employment and promotion in such diverse professional fields as education, law, law enforcement, health, science, management, organizational development, psychology, public service, sales, training, entertainment, and social services.

Communication (COMM) Courses

COMM 301 Introduction to Public Speaking

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligible for ENGWR 300; OR ESLW 340
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area II(b); CSU Area A1; IGETC Area 1C
C-ID:C-ID COMM 110
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course covers oral composition and delivery of messages in public speaking situations. It focuses on how to manage anxieties about speaking in front of a live audience, organize ideas when speaking to inform and persuade, use supporting materials to increase the effectiveness of messages, appeal to different audiences, and critically evaluate messages. By the end of the course, students will be more confident and effective in oral communication situations. Audio/video recording equipment may be used as an aid to self-analysis and improvement.

This course is formerly known as SPEECH 301.

COMM 302 Persuasive Speech

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:COMM 301 (Introduction to Public Speaking) with a grade of "C" or better. Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLW 340.
Transferable:CSU; UC (UC credit limitation: SPEECH 302 & 311 combined: maximum credit, one course)
General Education:CSU Area A3
C-ID:C-ID COMM 190
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course is a detailed study of persuasive discourse through an understanding of basic communication principles. Emphasis is placed on the use of proofs, language, and logical thinking. Audio- and/or video-recording equipment may be used as an aid for self-analysis and improvement. This course is formerly known as SPEECH 302.

COMM 311 Argumentation and Debate

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:SPEECH 301, ENGWR 300, or ENGWR 480
Transferable:CSU; UC (UC credit limitation: SPEECH 302 & 311 combined: maximum credit, one course)
General Education:CSU Area A3
C-ID:C-ID COMM 120
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course focuses on critical thinking with an emphasis on building and analyzing logical arguments. Rhetorical strategies are discussed and practiced. The course covers organization, supporting materials, delivery of effective arguments, and the use of questioning in critical thinking. This course is formerly known as SPEECH 311

COMM 321 Interpersonal Communication

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligible for ENGWR 300; OR ESLW 340.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area III(b); CSU Area E1
C-ID:C-ID COMM 130
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course focuses on communication between individuals, with emphasis on the acquisition of techniques and skills essential to self-actualization and to establishing authentic personal, social, familial, and professional relationships over a lifetime. Effective communication strategies are discussed, practiced, and reflected upon. This course is formerly known as SPEECH 321.

COMM 325 Intercultural Communication

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligible for ENGWR 300; OR ESLW 340.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D; IGETC Area 4
C-ID:C-ID COMM 150
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course is an introduction to the challenges and rewards of intercultural communication in everyday situations. It is designed to increase understanding of variations in communication patterns across cultures and prepares individuals for more effective communication. The course emphasizes both international culture variance and sub-cultural group-based experiential background variance. This course is formerly known as SPEECH 325.

COMM 331 Group Discussion

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligible for ENGWR 300; OR ESLW 340.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area II(b); CSU Area A1; IGETC Area 1C
C-ID:C-ID COMM 140
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course covers the dynamics of group communication and prepares individuals to function more effectively in groups. It focuses on oral communication in task groups and social groups. Topics include communication concepts and behaviors in problem solving, decision making, leadership, conflict management, and group roles and norms. This course is formerly known as SPEECH 331.

COMM 361 The Communication Experience

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligible for ENGWR 300; OR ESLW 340.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area II(b); CSU Area A1; IGETC Area 1C
C-ID:C-ID COMM 180
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course provides an introduction to basic skills and concepts necessary for effective communication in a variety of contexts. Topics include effective listening, facilitation of interpersonal relationships, conflict resolution, media communication, practical group experience, and public speaking. This course is formerly known as SPEECH 361.

COMM 362 Mediated Communication Experience

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area II(b); CSU Area A1; IGETC Area 1C
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course focuses on the skills and concepts necessary to communicate effectively in the online environment. Topics include online group work and presentations, public speaking, interviewing, conference calls, and computer mediated interpersonal communication. Students will be expected to use their own video recording devices. This course is formerly known as SPEECH 362.

COMM 495 Independent Studies in Communication

Units:1 - 3
Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

Independent Study is an opportunity for the student to extend classroom experience in this subject, while working independently of a formal classroom situation. Independent study is an extension of work offered in a specific class in the college catalog. To be eligible for independent study, students must have completed the basic regular catalog course at American River College. They must also discuss the study with a professor in this subject and secure approval. Only one independent study for each catalog course will be allowed. This course is formerly known as SPEECH 495.

COMM 499 Experimental Offering in Communication

Units:0.5 - 4
Prerequisite:None.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This is the experimental courses description.