Communication Studies Courses

Students in this survey course will explore the theory and practice of fundamental communication skills and strategies. This course emphasizes investigation and understanding in three core settings: public speaking communication, small group communication and interpersonal communication. Ancillary fields of multicultural communication and mass media will be examined. Students will also learn to prepare, deliver and critique effective presentations.

Formerly CMST& 102, JOR 100

This course offers an overview of historical, cultural, economic, and social issues affected by the development and continued evolution of mass media. Media products analyzed will be both traditional (print, audio, film, etc.) and evolving (digital). Upon completing this course, students will be conscious of how viewpoints are shaped by the media and be more critical consumers of media products.

Formerly CMST 103, SPE 103

Students in the workforce are able to develop a toolbox of communication strategies and techniques. These tools include interviewing, customer service, cultural diversity, and resolving conflicts topics.

Formerly CMST 101, CMST 104, SPE 101

This is a basic course in public speaking. The goal of this course is to introduce, practice, and become comfortable speaking in front of people in the workplace and in the community. This course is recommended for students with no previous speech experience. Students are taught different forms of public speaking, learn to be more effective communicators, and learn how to organize their ideas for effective and efficient oral communication. Credit not granted for both CMST 104 and CMST& 220.

Formerly CMST 108, SPE 108

An introduction to problems of pronunciation and enunciation. Through voice and articulation techniques and the use of the international phonetic alphabet, students gain basic knowledge of phonetics and anatomy of speech. Individual attention is given to minor speech problems.

Formerly CMST 110, SPE 110

An introduction to the basic elements that impact our communication with each other. The course is designed to illustrate the reasons for communication failures in two-party and small group situations. Among other areas, active listening, conflict communication, self-esteem, and assertiveness are covered. Credit not granted for both CMST 110 and CMST& 210.

Formerly CMST 141, SPE 141

Provides investigation and practice in oral problem-solving through debate format and impromptu speaking. Includes principles of argumentation and analysis of propositions; use of tests of evidence, reasoning, and logic; detection of fallacies, structure of arguments, and methods of refutation and rebuttal. Students are expected to attend a minimum of two debate tournaments. It is recommended that students complete CMST 104 prior to enrollment.

Formerly CMST 142, SPE 142

Provides investigation and practice in oral problem-solving through debate format and persuasive speaking. Includes principles of argumentation and analysis of propositions; use of tests of evidence, reasoning, and logic; detection of fallacies, structure of arguments, and methods of refutation and rebuttal. Students are expected to attend a minimum of two debate tournaments. It is recommended that students complete CMST 104 prior to enrollment.

Formerly CMST 143, SPE 143

Provides investigation and practice in oral problem-solving through debate format and extemporaneous speaking. Includes principles of argumentation and analysis of propositions; use of tests of evidence, reasoning, and logic; detection of fallacies, structure of arguments, and methods of refutation and rebuttal. Students are expected to attend a minimum of two debate tournaments. It is recommended that students complete CMST 104 prior to enrollment.

Formerly CMST 198, CMST 199

A class used to explore new coursework.

Introduces students to genre-based narrative theories in mass media studies. Each quarter a particular genre of media is selected and students critically analyze a given set of mass media artifacts, possibly including films, television shows, video games, advertisements, books, music videos, or toys. Based on this analysis, students learn to criticize and practically engage the ideologies inherent in their surrounding media environments.

Formerly CMST& 210, SPE 111

This course is recommended for students seeking to improve their communication with friends, family, and co-workers. It is designed to heighten the students' awareness of personality styles and communication behaviors, and their respective impact on interpersonal and group communication. Credit not granted for both CMST 110 and CMST& 210.

Formerly CMST& 220, SPE 102

This is a basic course in speech that expands beyond the three-credit requirement for an AA degree. The goal of this course is to introduce, practice, and become comfortable speaking in front of people in the workplace and in the community. This course is recommended for students with no previous speech experience. Students are taught different forms of public speaking. Students learn to be more effective communicators and organize their ideas for effective and efficient oral communication. Credit not granted for both CMST 104 and CMST& 220.

Formerly CMST 240, SPE 240

A study in theory and practice to develop individual leadership skills for the students' personal, professional, and academic lives. Includes substantial experiential learning opportunities to practice leadership in action.

Formerly CMST 241, SPE 241

This course explores leadership skills, concepts, and theories as it relates to student involvement on campus.

Formerly CMST 242, SPE 242

A continuation of CMST 241, this course explores leadership skills, concepts, and theories as it relates to student involvement on campus.

Formerly CMST 243, SPE 243

A continuation of CMST 242, this course explores leadership skills, concepts, and theories as it relates to student involvement on campus.

Formerly CMST 246, SPE 246

Students are taught to use their voices more effectively for character interpretation and presentation. Demonstrations, class exercises, and oral reading assignments are employed.

Formerly CMST 256, SPE 253

The theory and study of parliamentary procedures.

Formerly CMST 260, SPE 260

Multicultural Communication teaches students culturally-sensitive methods of identifying basic problems involving communication failures across ethnic and racial settings. Students also learn to apply various multicultural approaches to behavior modification, racism, sexism, the valuing of cultural diversity, collaboration, and the move toward inherent pluralism.

Formerly CMST 298, CMST 299

A class used to explore new coursework.

The purpose of this course is to develop a deeper understanding of how health communication concepts, theories, research methods, cases, and other practices can be applied to real-world health issues and problems. You will identify and develop ways in which practitioners can better the lives of those they support through effective and efficient communication. In this course, you will learn about the field of health communication and the approaches and action areas used to plan, implement, and evaluate health communication.

Students will study and apply effective professional workplace communication principles. Concepts include awareness and application of interpersonal and multicultural communication skills, leadership styles and application, small group dynamics, problem-solving, decision making and conflict management.