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Courses - COMM Upper Division

300. Survey of Rhetorical Theory (3)

Prerequisite: GE Foundation requirements.
History of major rhetorical theories from the ancient Greeks to the Twentieth century. Theorists include Gorgias, Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Quintilian, Augustine, Machiavelli, Locke, Marx, Freud, the existentialists, and others.

301. Communication Criticism (3)

Prerequisite: COMM 300.
Analysis and criticism of public communication events including speeches, editorials, advertisements, and mass media from a variety of rhetorical perspectives.

306. Communication Theory (3)

Conceptual perspectives and studies of coding, meaning, thinking, information, and persuasion within interpersonal, group and organizational contexts; theoretical contributions from other disciplines.

307. Measurement in Communication Research (3)

Prerequisites: COMM 306 and completion of University GE requirement in mathematics.
Application of the scientific method to the study of speech communication; examination of the role empirical methodologies play in communication research; fundamental statistical processes.
Letter grade only (A-F). (Not open for credit to students with credit in COMM 305)

309. Language and Behavior (3)

Symbolic basis of human communicative behavior; relationship between language and behavior; investigation and analysis of discourse and behavioral effects.

330. Intercultural Communication (3)

Study of the realtionship between culture and communication with emphasis given to social, psychological, linguistic and nonverbal variables; problems in the practice of intercultural communication.

331. Argumentation and Debate (3)

Prerequisite: GE Foundation requirements.
Techniques of argumentation and their application to debate; logic, reasoning and fallacies of reasoning; experience in various forms of formal argument and debate; techniques of debate program administration.

333. Performing Culture (3)

Prerequisite: Completion of Foundation requirements.
Class participants use performance and other qualitative research methods to explore issues of race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, class, and other cultural standpoints. Also includes a survey of relevant critical and cultural theories.

334. Business and Professional Communication (3)

Prerequisite: COMM 130 or consent of instructor.
Skills and technologies related to the assessment, strategic planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of effective communication in the business and professional setting.

335. Persuasive Speaking (3)

Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirements.
Skills necessary for advanced public speaking in various venues including legislative, legal, and ceremonial public address; explores various theories of motivation including speaker credibility, emotional appeals, of evidence and argument, style in language, delivery and audience analysis skills.

336. Forensic Activity (1-3)

Participation in intercollegiate forensic activities. Any student who expects to participate in such activities during the semester should enroll. Student's specific assignments will be determined in consultation with the staff.
May be repeated to a maximum of 4 units. (2-6 hrs. activity)

337. Professional Event Planning (3)

Organization and direction of professional, business and political conferences or conventions; program simulation; leadership of and participation in decision making and parliamentary sessions.

338. Ensemble Performance (3)

Programming and presentation of prose, poetry and drama by an ensemble of readers. Emphasis is placed on experimental presentations and on the development of analytical insight into literary forms.

344. Theory and Techniques of Interviewing (3)

Theory and techniques of oral communication in the process of interviewing. Practical application in employment, information gathering, and persuasive interviews.

352. Story Telling (3)

Cultural heritage in story telling; analysis of story types for oral presentation; techniques of preparation, presentation and listening.

355. Communication in the Classroom (3)

Designed for prospective teachers; communication theories, and skills applicable to the teaching of speech communication; focus on communication strategies that contribute to greater student learning; develop an instructional package for teaching speech communication.

358. Speech Arts for Children (3)

Use of creative dramatics, improvisations, puppetry, choral speech, radio, television and group discussion for the purpose of developing fluency, responsiveness and imagination in children. Integration of speech arts activities with curricular subjects will be stressed. Opportunity to apply the theories in actual situations.

400. Nonverbal Communication (3)

Prerequisites: COMM 110.
Basic characteristics of the nonverbal elements of human communication in the oral communication setting.

410. Advanced Concepts in Interpersonal Communication (3)

Prerequisites: COMM 110.
Systems and symbolic interaction approaches to interpersonal communication; consideration of interpersonal needs, self disclosure, understanding, interpersonal perception, interpersonal attraction, and social conflict; rule and performance-centered theories of interpersonal communication.

411. Communication in Conflict Resolution (3)

Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirements, completion of one or more GE Exploration courses, and upper division standing.
Analytical investigation of the nature and dynamics of interpersonal conflict; approaches to the study and understanding of conflict management as examined from intrapersonal, interpersonal, intragroup, organizational, and international perspectives.

412. Gender and Communication (3)

Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirements, completion of one or more GE Exploration courses and upper-division standing.
Survey of theories and research literature to increase students' understanding of and familiarity with major issues regarding communication between men and women in various contexts.

414. Communication in Families (3)

Role of communication in families; theoretical perspective of family interaction, current family issues, intercultural aspects of family interaction, effects of changing career/family roles, and intergenerational interaction.
Letter grade only (A-F).

415. Rhetoric of Social Movements and Protest (3)

Examines goals, strategies, and effects of groups that form to advocate social, political, and/or moral change. Focuses on how (agitator) groups communicate messages, and how institutions of power (establishment) respond in order to control or resist change.

420. Advanced Concepts in Organizational Communication (3)

Prerequisites: COMM 220.
Philosophy, methods and designs for studying the communication systems of complex organizations; organizational communication-needs assessment, methods for developing and improving communication in organizations are examined.

421. Communication in Bargaining and Negotiation (3)

Role of communication in the decision-making process of negotiation and bargaining; emphasis on the functions of communication in resolving disputes through bargaining. Successful completion of COMM 411 is highly recommended.

422. Media Effects (3)

Prerequisites: Upper-division standing and GE Foundation requirements.
Introduces students to the study of the effects of mass communication by examining some of the classic studies in the field of communication as well as exploring contemporary cultural, social, political and psychological effects of the mass media.

430. Advanced Concepts in Intercultural Communication (3)

Prerequisites: COMM 330 or consent of instructor.
Continued study of communication processes involved in interaction between people from different cultural groups; exploration of culturally variable means of thinking and behaving, and study of social psychological processes affecting all forms of intergroup interaction.
Letter grade only (A-F).

431. Mediation and Dispute Resolution (3)

Prerrequisites/Corequisites: COMM 330 or COMM 430, COMM 411 and COMM 421, or consent of instructor.
Essential communication skills and processes involved in becoming a conflict mediator; certificate awarded after successful completion of course.
Letter grade only (A-F).

432. Communication Leadership (3)

Development of leadership skills in problem-solving communication environments; leadership theories, strategies and techniques of problem-solving and decision making.

433. Trends in Performance Studies (3)

Trends and issues in the theoretical and historical development of oral interpretation as applied to current times.

434. Advanced Oral Presentation Skills (3)

Prerequisite: GE Foundation requirements; one or more GE Exploration courses; and upper-division standing.
Development of advanced skills in oral presentations, including audience analysis, presentation technologies, and multi-media applications. Special consideration paid to research and critical analysis of written and oral presentation content and delivery.
Letter grade only (A-F).

436. American Public Address (3)

Comparison and contrast of famous American speakers and their techniques, effects and environments from the colonial period to present.

437. International Public Address (3)

Comparisons and contrasts of famous international speakers and their techniques, effects, and environments from the Greco-Roman era to the present.
Letter grade only (A-F).

439. Communication and Popular Culture (3)

Examines the relationship between communication and popular culture in the public sphere. The course aims at improving students' abilities to respond critically to everyday mass social messages.
Letter grade only (A-F).

441. Issues in Freedom of Communication (3)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing and GE Foundation requirements, and at least two GE Exploration courses. Recommended COMM 331 or COMM 335.
The evolution and impact of First Amendment rights on American society and its political system; Emphasis on the evolution of the First Amendment, significant Supreme Court cases, the First Amendment and electronic media, and the application of case laws that deal with religion, speech, press, and assembly. Recommended for pre-law students.

442. Campaign Persuasion (3)

Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirements, upper division standing, and at least two GE Exploration courses. It is recommended that one be COMM 331 or COMM 335.
Examination of persuasive communicative strategies in political campaigns inclusive of campaign speeches, commercials, news media coverage, image-building, audience analysis through polling, and fund raising.

444. Communicating Civility (3)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing and GE Foundation requirements.
Examine codes of "civilized" communication behavior historically and analytically. Identify what it means to be an ethical and civilized communicator in today's society, and appreciate professional and personal protocols for everyday use.
Letter grade only (A-F).

449. Studies in Oral Persuasion and Attitude Change (3)

Attitude formation and change through oral communication; factors in persuasion; problems determining the effects of persuasive messages; source credibility, message variables; and personality factors in the process of persuasion.

450. Communication Training in Organizations (3)

Nature and role of communication training in a variety of social, educational, and business organizations; the goals, structure, and impact of communication effectiveness programs are examined; audiovisual aids and communication training techniques emphasized.

452. Communication in the Multinational Organization (3)

Communication patterns in multinational and multicultural organizational settings; the nature and impact of different organizational structures, value systems, and cultural norms in relation to productivity, employee and organizational obligations and expectations.

490. Selected Topics in Communication Studies (3)

Topics of current interest selected for intensive study in Communication.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units with different topics. Topics announced in the Schedule of Classes.

  • A. Hip Hop Criticism

492A-B. Internship (3-3)

Prerequisite: Permit required to enroll with consent of instructor; open only to senior majors.
At least 120 hours with cooperating organizations on- or off-campus. Work directed and evaluated by instructor in consultation with supervisor of the participating organizations. Assignments will be varied.
Credit/No Credit grading only. COMM 492A is for unpaid Internship. COMM 492B is for paid internship.

495. Service Learning Internship (3)

Prerequisites: Communication Studies Major with Senior Standing; minimum 3.0 GPA for all college coursework taken; COMM 130 or COMM 335 or their equivalents; COMM 352 or COMM 355 or COMM 358, or the consent of instructor.
Application of academic knowledge of communication skills in the community; public speaking, listening, interpersonal communication, group communication, multicultural communication, and/or interviewing skills training (1) to students in K-12 schools or (2) to persons in the public sector.
Letter grade only (A-F). May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units.

499. Special Studies (1-6)

Prerequisites: "Permit" required to enroll. Open to upper division students or graduate standing and consent of instructor. Approved "Agreement for Independent Study" must be on file with the Department prior to enrolling in this course.
Individualized laboratory or library research selected in consultation with instructor. Written report of the research is required. Not acceptable for graduate credit toward the master's degree.


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