"The field of communication focuses on how people use messages to generate meanings within and across various contexts, cultures, channels, and media. The field promotes the effective and ethical practice of human communication".
-National Communication Association
Study in the field of Communication offers skills in communication and analysis that are essential in most careers. An education in literature, criticism and language teaches students to write effectively and expressively, to think critically, to weigh values, and to communicate ideas. These skills improve one’s chances of finding jobs in a wide variety of fields. A concentration in Communication helps to prepare a student for work in communications, public relations, government and public service, sales, publishing, journalism, advertising, education, performing arts, and business.
COMM 101 - Public Speaking
Instructs students in the fundamentals of the public speaking situation and provides students with an opportunity to build poise and confidence through practice. Units of study include listening, communication theory, and informative and persuasive speaking, argument building, and electronic presentations.
COMM 110 - Discussion + Group Conference
Examines the nature and effects of interpersonal communication in small groups. Major areas of study include effective leadership and participation in groups, problem-solving and decision-making discussion, conference planning, and parliamentary procedure. Students plan, lead, participate in, and evaluate discussions.
COMM 120 - Business & Professional Speaking
Develops and polishes the student’s communication skills for business and professional use. Self-inventories are combined with interviewing, group dynamics, listening, negotiating, and conflict resolution, as well as, practice in specific public speaking situations.
COMM 130 - Interpersonal Communications
Studies interpersonal communication, including language processes; types of verbal and nonverbal communication; oral and visual means of transmitting information; history; methods of encoding information; and social consequences. Focus on intrapersonal communication, interpersonal communications, and technology.
COMM 140 - Forensic Activities
Provides opportunities for students to perform in actual communications situations in the community and/or interscholastic speech competition.
COMM 201 - Advanced Public Speaking
Concentrates on study and experience in public speaking. Includes topic analysis, preparation, variety of public address forms, and practice in formal and informal debate and argumentation.
COMM 240 - Intercultural Communications
Provides an overview of the study of communication and culture through examination of communication barriers, dialects, structural, and phonetic differences among ethnic groups and Standard English speaking groups. This course includes both verbal and nonverbal communication.
COMM 250 - Argumentation and Debate
Studies the principles, forms, and uses of debate and argumentation. Emphasis is on analysis, research, reasoning, briefs, refutation, and debating style utilizing current events for topical content in applied settings.
