Home Catalog Programs of Study List of Programs Communication

Communication

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 Alisa Shubb
Phone (916) 484-8653
Email askhb-LAC@arc.losrios.edu

Associate Degree for Transfer

A.A.-T. in Communication Studies 2.0

The Associate in Arts in Communication Studies 2.0 for Transfer (AA-T) program provides students with a major that fulfills the general requirements for transfer to a California State University. Students with this degree will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University system. Students should work closely with their American River College counselor to ensure that they are taking the appropriate coursework to prepare for majoring in Communication Studies, Communication, or Communications at the institution they wish to transfer to because major and general education requirements may vary for each CSU and the degree may only transfer to specific institutions.

Students must complete the following Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) requirements (pursuant to SB1440, §66746):
• 60 semester or 90 quarter CSU-transferable units
• the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) pattern
• a minimum of 18 semester or 27 quarter units in the major or area of emphasis as determined by the community college district
• obtain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0

All ADTs also require that students must earn a “C” or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A "P" (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
Required Core:
COMM C1000	Introduction to Public Speaking	3
COMM C1004	Interpersonal Communication	3
List A:
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 (3)
JOUR 310	Mass Media and Society (3)
List B:
A minimum of 3 units from the following:		3
Any course not already used from List A or
ANTH 310	Cultural Anthropology (3)
or ANTH 481	Honors Cultural Anthropology (3)
ENGL C1001	Critical Thinking and Writing (3)
or ENGL C1003	Critical Thinking and Writing through Literature (4)
or ENGL C1001H	Critical Thinking and Writing - Honors (3)
JOUR 300	Newswriting and Reporting (3)
PSYC C1000	Introduction to Psychology (3)
or PSYC C1000H	Introduction to Psychology - Honors (3)
SOC 300	Introductory Sociology (3)
or SOC 480	Introductory Sociology - Honors (3)
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 2.0 GPA, including (a) the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) Requirement.

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 C1000 Introduction to Public Speaking

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L1B; Cal-GETC Area 1C
C-ID:C-ID COMM 110
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course was formerly known as COMM 301 Introduction to Public Speaking.

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. By the end of the course, students will be more confident managing public speaking anxiety and effective in oral communication situations with diverse audiences. Use of audio/video recording equipment may be required.

This course is formerly known as COMM 301 and is not open to students who have already completed COMM 301.

COMM 302 Persuasive Speech

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:COMM C1000 with a grade of "C" or better
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L1B
C-ID:C-ID COMM 190
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is a detailed study and practice of oral discourse in a democratic society with a focus on effective persuasion. Through an understanding of the theoretical foundations of creating and sharing knowledge, students will learn to effectively use compelling arguments to appeal to diverse audiences. Emphasis is placed on the use of proofs, language, delivery, and ethical practices. 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:COMM C1000, ENGL C1000, or ENGL C1000H
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L1B
C-ID:C-ID COMM 120
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

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 C1004 Interpersonal Communication

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L4; Local GE L7B
C-ID:C-ID COMM 130
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course was formerly known as COMM 321 Interpersonal Communication.

This course covers theory, research, and application of ethical one-to-one communication practices
in various and diverse interpersonal relationships including in personal, professional, and social
situations. Students explore theoretical perspectives of individual, situational, and cultural influences on human interaction with attention given to perception, verbal and nonverbal communication, listening, interpersonal dynamics, power and conflict.
This course was formally known as COMM 321 and is not open to students who have completed COMM 321.

COMM 325 Intercultural Communication

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480), or ESLW 340
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
C-ID:C-ID COMM 150
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

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.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L1B
C-ID:C-ID COMM 140
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

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.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L1B; Cal-GETC Area 1C
C-ID:C-ID COMM 180
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

In this course, students learn and apply foundational rhetorical theories and techniques of public speaking in a multicultural democratic society. This course is an introduction to the principles and methods of oral communication with emphasis on improving speaking and listening skills in the multicultural contexts of interpersonal, small group, and public communication. Over the course of the semester, students develop and apply effective research strategies. This course was formerly known as SPEECH 361 and is not open to students who passed SPEECH 361.

COMM 362 Mediated Communication

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L1B
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course covers the concepts and skills necessary to communicate ideas effectively in a democratic society within the context of a computer-mediated environment. It focuses on how to orally express, support, and organize messages effectively in the public speaking mode and to critically evaluate the speech of others. Topics include informative and persuasive speaking, online group dynamics, mediated presentations, interviewing, conference calls, and computer-mediated interpersonal communication. Students are 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, 2026

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, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.