COMM - Communication

COMM100Z Basic Speech Communication (Course offered online)

Credits 4Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels.

This introductory course surveys the field of human communication from a knowledge-based format. Specific areas to be explored include aspects of communication theory, family communication, intrapersonal communication, interpersonal communication, group communication, public communication, organizational communication, mass media communication and listening. This course provides a balance between theory and application.

This course fulfills: Oral Communication; Arts & Letters; Human Relations

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Explain the ways communication is impacted by ethics, language, nonverbal behaviors, perception, culture, and contexts.
  2. Identify communication theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts.
  3. Explore different areas of communication to develop a broad base of skills and communicative tools when interacting with others.
  4. Articulate the importance of communication expertise in career development and civic engagement.

COMM111Z Public Speaking (Course offered online)

Credits 4Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels.

COMM111Z emphasizes developing communication skills by examining and demonstrating how self-awareness, audience, content, and occasion influence the creation and delivery of speeches and presentations.

This course fulfills: Oral Communication; Arts & Letters; Human Relations

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Develop messages for diverse audiences, purposes, and contexts.
  2. Identify and utilize skills to manage communication apprehension.
  3. Deliver and adapt speeches and/or presentations to live audiences.
  4. Evaluate public speeches, including their own, by identifying aspects of preparation, credibility, logic, and delivery.

COMM114 Argument and Critical Discourse

Credits 3Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels.

Examination of argumentation as part of human interaction and investigation. This course emphasizes the processes by which people give reasons to gain adherence and to justify beliefs and actions. The course provides a balance between theory and practical application.

This course fulfills: Oral Communication; Arts & Letters; Human Relations

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Compare the differences among debate, individual decisions, group discussion , persuasion, propaganda and coercion
  2. Explain problem-solving process, difference between an assertion and an argument, types of evidence, structure of reasoning, effective techniques of refutation, and obstacles to clear thinking
  3. Practicing ethical communication in the demonstration of and listening to practice debates
  4. To demonstrate the ability to present and defend arguments utilizing in the application of academic debate styles (IPDA, British Parliamentary, Lincoln-Douglas Debate)
  5. To research, prepare and present cases, as well as analyze arguments in the creation of full briefs – constructing coherent, logical and sequencedarguments and cases, free from fallacy and supported by documentation and evidence

COMM115 Introduction to Intercultural Communication (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)

Credits 4Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels.

This knowledge-based course focuses attention on the intercultural aspects of the communication process. The effects of cultural values on both verbal and non-verbal behavior are studied in order to better understand our own communication practices as well as others. The course provides a balance between theory and practical application. Students are provided with a variety of opportunities to learn and improve their abilities to communicate with other cultures in face-to-face communication situations.

This course fulfills: Oral Communication; Cultural Literacy; Arts & Letters; Human Relations; Social Science

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Identify and describe your intercultural awareness and other cultural identities.
  2. Recognize varying verbal and nonverbal messages from different cultures.
  3. Describe the role of context and power in diverse cultures.
  4. Identify challenges and solutions to intercultural (interpersonal) interactions.
  5. Apply theoretical knowledge and communication skills to demonstrate intercultural competence through presentations.

COMM218Z Interpersonal Communication (Course offered online)

Credits 4Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201 and IECC201W, each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels.

This knowledge-based course is designed to assist students in using effective practices of intra- and interpersonal communication in a variety of face-to-face settings. Learning to manage stress and conflict, and to use assertive/supportive rather than aggressive/defensive messages is emphasized. The course provides a balance between theory and practical application.

This course fulfills: Oral Communication; Arts & Letters; Human Relations

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Describe how culture, identity, perception, biases, and power influence the communication process.
  2. Recognize and analyze interpersonal communication concepts (e.g., ethics, verbal and nonverbal communication, listening, emotions, and conflict).
  3. Assess one’s own interpersonal skills to become more competent in a variety of relational contexts.
  4. Apply foundational concepts and theories to interpersonal communication.

COMM219 Small Group Communication

Credits 3Fall/Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201 and IECC201W, each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels.

This course examines the principles and processes related to small group communication. Emphasis is on the attitudes and skills needed for effective problem-solving, decision making, participation and leadership in small groups.

This course fulfills: Oral Communication; Arts & Letters; Human Relations

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate collaborative communication skills within small groups
  2. Develop various decision-making techniques and apply problem-solving skills in a group
  3. Initiate, manage and facilitate group discussions

COMM221F Forensics

Credit 1Fall

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels.

This course allows for preparation of speeches, debates and discussions for delivery before public audiences and in inter-collegiate competition. COMM221F is offered in Fall.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Deliver a persuasive speech
  2. Deliver an informative speech
  3. Discuss and practice skills in extemporaneous and impromptu speaking
  4. Practice debating skills

COMM221S Forensics

Credit 1Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels.

This course allows for the preparation of speeches, debates, and discussions for delivery before public audiences and in inter-collegiate competitions. COMM221S is offered in Spring.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Deliver a persuasive speech
  2. Deliver an informative speech
  3. Discuss and practice skills in extemporaneous and impromptu speaking
  4. Practice debating skills

COMM221W Forensics

Credit 1Winter

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels.

This course allows for the preparation of speeches, debates, and discussions for delivery before public audiences and in inter-collegiate competitions. COMM221W is offered Winter term.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Deliver a persuasive speech
  2. Deliver an informative speech
  3. Discuss and practice skills in extemporaneous and impromptu speaking
  4. Practice debating skills

COMM262 Voice and Articulation

Credits 3Winter - even years

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels.

Principles of voice production and articulation of speech sounds with attention to elementary speech physiology are encouraged. Students are expected to give oral performances in class with special attention to loudness, rate, pitch, quality, articulation and pronunciation. Recording and criticizing of voice is also required of the student.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Modify and control rate, pitch and loudness variability
  2. Demonstrate standard American articulation and enunciation
  3. Describe basic speech physiology, acoustics and phonetics in speech production
  4. Employ vocal skills to convey the meaning of a scene and communicate effectively to an audience from the stage

Course fees are subject to change. Additional section fees (web, hybrid, etc.) may apply.

Online option regularly offered

Cultural Literacy course