Communication Studies (AA-T Degree A0325)
Humanities and Social Sciences Division
Degree A0325
Communication Studies is a broad-based discipline with foundational coursework in oral communication theory and skills development, augmented with course options that add dimension and depth to the student’s understanding of the discipline – such as interpersonal, group, organizational and intercultural communication, argumentation, journalism, forensics, and communication research methods.
The degree program requires students to critically analyze information and arguments, select and research an appropriate topic and thesis, and logically organize the supporting material into a well-crafted presentation. Students will employ appropriate verbal and nonverbal delivery skills and visual aids to present a message to an audience in a conversational and confident manner; and formulate communication solutions to problems in a range of contexts. Students will create messages appropriate for diverse audiences and listeners and develop an improved understanding of themselves as communicators.
To earn an Associate in Arts in Communication Studies for Transfer a student must complete 60 semester Units that are eligible for transfer to the CSU that consist of: IGETC pattern or CSU GE breadth and a major of at least 18 Units. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework to receive an associate degree for transfer and all courses in the major must be completed with a C or better. Students earning an associate degree for transfer will not be required to complete any other local graduation requirements.
Required Courses
| Course Prefix | Course Name | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| SPCH 1A | Public Speaking | 4 |
| or SPCH 1AH | Public Speaking - Honors | |
| List A | ||
| Choose two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Group Communication | ||
| Argumentation and Debate | ||
or SPCH 20H | Argumentation and Debate - Honors | |
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
or SPCH 26H | Interpersonal Communication - Honors | |
| List B | ||
| Choose any two courses from the following or any one course not already used from List A: | 6-7 | |
| Introduction to Mass Communications | ||
| Survey of Communication Studies | ||
| Performance of Literature | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
or SPCH 7H | Intercultural Communication - Honors | |
| Professional and Organizational Speaking | ||
or SPCH 8H | Professional and Organizational Speaking - Honors | |
| Introduction to Persuasion | ||
| Forensics: Fundamentals of Contest Speech and Debate | ||
| Forensics: Individual Event Team | ||
| Introduction to Communication Theory | ||
or SPCH 30H | Introduction to Communication Theory - Honors | |
| List C | ||
| Choose at least one course from the following or any one course not selected from List A or List B: | 3-4 | |
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
or ANTH 5H | Cultural Anthropology - Honors | |
| English - Introduction to Literary Types | ||
or ENGL 1BH | English - Introduction to Literary Types - Honors | |
| Critical Thinking and Writing | ||
or ENGL 1CH | Critical Thinking and Writing - Honors | |
| Beginning Writing and Reporting for the Mass Media | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
or PSYC 1AH | Introduction to Psychology - Honors | |
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
or SOC 1H | Introduction to Sociology - Honors | |
| Voice and Diction | ||
| Forensics: Debate Team | ||
| Forensics: Reader's Theater Team | ||
| Total Units for Major | 19-21 | |
| CSU General Education or IGETC Pattern 1 | 39-42 | |
| Total Units | 60 | |
- 1
Courses may be double-counted with either CSU-GE or IGETC.
Program Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this program, a student will be able to:
- Critically analyze information and arguments.
- Select and research an appropriate topic and thesis.
- Logically organize supporting materials into a well-crafted presentation.
- Demonstrate effective verbal and non-verbal delivery skills to present a message to a live audience in a confident manner.
- Formulate communication solutions to problems in a range of contexts.
- Create messages appropriate for diverse audiences and listener.
- Develop an improved understanding of themselves as communicators.
Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.
Looking for guidance? A counselor can help.
This Guided Pathways for Success (GPS) is a suggested sequence of coursework needed for program completion. It is not an official educational plan. Schedule an appointment with a counselor or advisor as soon as possible to create an individualized Mountie Academic Plan (MAP) specific to your goals and needs.
| Fall Term 1 | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 1A | Freshman Composition | 4 |
| SPCH 1A | Public Speaking | 4 |
| CSU ARTS | CSU GE C1 Arts Crse | 3 |
| Units | 11 | |
| Winter Term 1 | ||
| CSU AMIST | CSU GE American Institutions | 3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Spring Term 1 | ||
| CSU MATH | CSU GE B4 Mathematics Crse | 3 |
| CSU CRTTH | CSU Area A-3 Crit Thnkg Course | 4 |
| SPCH 20 OR SPCH 26 OR SPCH 6 3 | ||
| SPCH 20 OR SPCH 26 OR SPCH 6 3 | ||
| Units | 7 | |
| Summer Term 1 | ||
| CSU AMIST | CSU GE American Institutions | 3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Fall Term 2 | ||
| CSU SCNC1 | CSU GE B1 Physical Sc Crse | 3 |
| CSU LAB | CSU GE B3 Phy/Life Sc Lab Crse | 1 |
| SPCH 20 | Argumentation and Debate | 3 |
| CPP Subplans:Public Relations Multimedia Journa. CPP Subplans:Public Relations Multimedia Journa. | ||
| SPCH 20 JOUR 100 required 0 | ||
| JOUR 100 OR SPCH 15 OR SPCH 16 OR SPCH 2 OR SPCH 30 OR SPCH 4 OR SPCH 7 OR SPCH 8 OR SPCH 9 6 | ||
| Units | 7 | |
| Winter Term 2 | ||
| CSU ART/H | CSU GE C-1 or C-2 Art/Hum Crse | 3 |
| CSU SELF | CSU GE E Lifelong n SelfDev cr | 3 |
| Units | 6 | |
| Spring Term 2 | ||
| CSU HUM | CSU GE C2 Humanities Crse | 3 |
| CSU SCNC2 | CSU GE B2 Life Sc Crse | 3 |
| CSU ETHS | CSU GE Area F Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| ANTH 5 OR ENGL 1B OR ENGL 1C OR JOUR 101 OR PSYC 1A OR SOC 1 OR SPCH 17 OR SPCH 18 OR SPCH 3 3 | ||
| Units | 9 | |
| Total Units | 46 | |
