Undergraduate Degree - Program Coursework
Course List
COMS 104/L. Literature in Performance and Lab (2/1)
Corequisite: COMS 104L.Introduction to principles, techniques, and practices in solo performance of poetry, fiction and drama. (Available for General Education, Arts and Humanities)
COMS 150. Process of Communication (3)
Analysis of the contemporary behavioral view of the scope and purposes of human communication, the factors involved in the process, and the role of language in human behavior. (Available for General Education, Lifelong Learning)
COMS 151/L. Fundamentals of Public Speaking and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisite: EPT score of 151 or better. Corequisite: COMS 151L.Introduction to the study of the human communication process with an emphasis on effective public communication. Includes intensive practice in public speaking, reasoning, and critical listening. 15 hours of communication experience outside the class are required. (Crosslisted with CHS 151 and PAS 151) (Available for General Education, Analytical Reading/Expository Writing) (IC)
COMS 195. Forensics (1-1-1-1)
Supervised activity in competitive intercollegiate forensics.
COMS 198. Speaker’s Bureau (1-1-1-1)
Supervised activity in the various forms of speech communication; observation and experience in speaking to community and college groups.
COMS 199. Performance Ensemble (1)
Supervised activity in group performance of literature; participation in readers theatre programs before campus audiences. Course is repeatable for a maximum of three completions of credit.
COMS 225/L. Argumentation and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisite: EPT score of 151 or better. Corequisite: 225L.Studies of the strategies used for rhetorical argument; emphasis is given to ways of finding issues, using evidence, and detecting fallacies in rhetorical communications; practice is given in the formulation and critical analysis of argument in rhetorical communications. 15 hours of communication experience outside of class are required. (Available for General Education, Basic Skills, Critical Thinking)
Upper Division
COMS 301. Performance, Language, and Cultural Studies (3)
Study of the complex relationships among culture, language, and performance in communication. Examination of theory, behavior, practice and criticism from aesthetic and sociocultural perspectives, with emphasis on contemporary research in language, culture, and performance studies.
COMS 303. Narrative in Performance (3)
Theory and practice in performing narrative fiction and nonfiction. Analysis of the role of narrative in the communicative life of the individual and society. Solo and group performances.
COMS 304. Poetry in Performance (3)
Theory and practice in performing poetry. Analysis of the role of poetry and poetic language in the communicative life of the individual and society. Solo and group performances.
COMS 305. Children’s Literature in Performance (3)
Principles, techniques and practice in performing children’s literature, including choral reading and storytelling. Not allowed for credit in the Communication Studies major.
COMS 309. Advanced Public Speaking (3)
Prerequisite: COMS 151/L or 225L. Application of the principles of audience analysis to the preparation, presentation and evaluation of persuasive messages. (Available for General Education, Analytical Reading/Expository Writing) (IC)
COMS 320. Communicative Functions of Language (3)
Study of the form and structure of the language of persuasive discourse, including semantics, syntax, usage, lexicography, and style.
COMS 321. Rhetorical Discourse (3)
Prerequisite: COMS 151/L or 225/L; completion of the lower division writing requirement.Study of the language and principles of human communication through the production, analysis, and evaluation of rhetorical messages. Satisfies the teacher credential program requirement for competence in writing.
COMS 323. Group Communication (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement.Principles and methods of small group communication. Development of individual and group skills through application of theory to practice. Emphasis is on intra-group behavior. (Available for General Education, Lifelong Learning)
COMS 325. Legal Argumentation (3)
Study of courtroom argument with emphasis on issues, evidence, forms of argument, and language in lawyers’ pleadings and judicial opinions.
COMS 327. Rhetorical Theory (3)
Theories of rhetoric from classical Greece and Rome to the present. Critical methodologies inherent in rhetorical theories of each period are applied to typical examples of public discourse of that period.
COMS 345. Rhetoric of Popular Culture (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of lower division writing requirement.Rhetorical analysis of symbolic behavior, with emphasis on 20th century popular cultural forms. Regular written assignments are required.
COMS 350. Nonverbal Communication (3)
Discussion and examination of nonverbal communication and its effects upon the individual’s attitudes and verbal communication.
COMS 351. Communication Theory (3)
Survey of multiple theoretical perspectives on the study of human communication. Examination of the relationships among communication theory and other areas of study within the field of communication studies.
COMS 356. Intercultural Communication (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Cultural factors in interpersonal communication, such as perception, roles, language codes, and nonverbal communication. Students will apply and evaluate theories of intercultural communication. (Available for General Education, Comparative Cultural Studies)
COMS 360. Communication and The Sexes (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement.An examination of the communication styles of males and females in a variety of settings. Emphasis is given to gender-related communication behavior and its implications for the ability to maintain effective personal and professional relationships. Strategies for fostering communication competence will be discussed. (Available for General Education, Lifelong Learning)
COMS 400ABC. Directing Oral Performance (1-3)
Faculty-supervised students direct other students¹ oral performances.
Available only to upper division students who have completed a minimum of
two units of any of the following: COMS 195, Forensics; COMS 198, Speaker's
Bureau; or COMS 199, Performance Ensemble, and who have the consent of the
instructor. May be taken for a maximum of six units.
COMS 401. Performance and Social Change (3)
Examination and application of contemporary theories of performance as a means of change in individual and communal life. Students employ performance methodologies to examine complexities of various communication contexts and situations, and enact various strategies for working through these complexities. Available for graduate credit.
COMS 404. Theories of Interpretation (3)
Examination of psychological, social, cultural, literary, and hermeneutic theories of interpretation, with an emphasis on the interaction of text, context, and audience. Available for graduate credit.
COMS 420. Language and Symbolic Processes (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Study of the structural, psychological, and semantic facets of language and their implications for the study of rhetorical communication. Regular written assignments will be required. Available for graduate credit. (Available for Section C of the Multicultural Requirement for Credential Candidates)
COMS 425. Theories of Argument and Deliberation (3)
Exploration of theories of argument and their application to decision making. Available for graduate credit.
COMS 428. Freedom of Speech (3)
Exploration of freedom of speech in American society. Emphasis given to a communication studies approach to issues in freedom of speech. Focus on contemporary problems of free speech in the United States including sedition, obscenity, advocacy of illegal action, libel, words of provocation, copyright, academic freedom, and national security. Available for graduate credit.
COMS 430. Rhetorical Criticism (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of lower division writing requirement.Instruction in the methods and applications of rhetorical criticism, focusing upon the analysis and evaluation of rhetorical discourse. Regular written assignments are required. Available for graduate credit.
COMS 431. Persuasion (3)
Logical and psychological principles used by writers and speakers to effect social control. Analysis and evaluation of recent research in attitude modification. Available for graduate credit.
COMS 435. Rhetoric of Women (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement.Analysis and evaluation of the rhetoric of women involved in political, social, and economic reforms. Regular written assignments are required. Available for graduate credit.
COMS 437. Communication for Youth Institute (3-3)
Prerequisite: COMS 151/L and prior approval of the CYI Program Coordinator.Instruction is provided in communication education. Faculty-supervised students will teach communication skills to area youth in a community service-learning program. Students work closely with the instructor in course preparation, delivery of course content, oral and written assignment evaluation, and curricular assessment. Available for graduate credit.
COMS 442. Rhetoric of Peace and Conflict (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement.Exploration of the rhetorical implications of conflict and struggle as performed in subcultural, national, and international contexts. Regular written assignments are required. Available for graduate credit.
COMS 443. Rhetoric of Business (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement.Critical analysis of the rhetoric used in executive speaking, advertising, and labor negotiations. Regular written assignments are required. Available for graduate credit.
COMS 444. Political Rhetoric (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Study of rhetoric of recent United States political campaigns, local and national: persuasive techniques, ethical considerations, effectiveness. Practice in planning and developing rhetorical messages for political campaigns. Regular written assignments are required. Available for graduate credit.
COMS 446. Rhetoric of Crime and Punishment (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Study of rhetoric of crime, criminal procedure, punishment, and justice in different societies and cultures. Regular written assignments are required. Available for graduate credit.
COMS 448. Rhetoric of Extraordinary Claim (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement.Examination of rhetorical strategies used to advance extraordinary claims and of rhetorical methods of analysis that may be used to identify irrational appeals. Specific consideration of rhetorical discourse dealing with the paranormal, pseudoscience, cryptozoology and conspiracy theories. Regular written assignments are required. Available for graduate/credit. Available for graduate credit.
COMS 450. Communication Research Methodology (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement.Examination of the strategy and methodology of contemporary research in communication. Emphasis is on scientific process, the derivation and verification of hypotheses in communication and persuasion, and basic communication research design. Regular written assignments are required. Available for graduate credit.
COMS 451. Interpersonal Communication (3)
Explorations of the face-to-face reciprocal transactions that occur in everyday communication. Emphasis is given to the study of recent research findings and their application to business and personal situations.
COMS 453. Organizational Communication (3)
Application of the principles of human communication in the formal organizational setting: communication channels, networks, climate, and relationships.
COMS 454. Communication and Technology (3)
Study of the impact of new communication technologies on communication and culture. Information technologies are examined from both theoretical and practical perspectives.
COMS 495. Internship in Organizational Communication (3-3)
Prerequisite: COMS 453.Upon prior approval by the Program Coordinator, a student may earn up to 3 units credit per semester and up to six units total for practical experience in public or private formal organizations in dealing with communication problems and concerns. Academic Internship course. (Credit/No Credit Only)
COMS 496A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses in Speech Communication (3)
Experimental courses in Communication Studies with course content to be determined.
COMS 497. Supervised Projects in Speech Communication (1-1-1-1)
Introduction to rhetorical research and writing through supervised projects and field study. Academic Internship course.
COMS 499A-C. Independent Study (1-3)
COMS 499X-Z. Independent Study (1-3)
COMS 580. Communication Education (3)
Available to graduate and upper-division undergraduate students. Exploration
of the communication dimensions of adult education and critical pedagogy.
Application of theory in a wide range of instructional settings including
teaching college and university classrooms, training in non-profit and
for-profit business environments, and facilitating educational programs for
community organizations.