2010-2011 CATALOG

This is an archived copy of the 2010-2011 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.miracosta.edu

Communication

The Communication Studies Program provides students with a theoretical and methodological foundation of the nature of communication in its various forms and contexts as well as the uses, effects, and relevancy of communication in their own lives. Students take communication courses to prepare to transfer with a major in communication or to meet general education requirements. A bachelor's degree in communication can lead to a career in advertising, broadcasting, community relations, consulting, counseling, education, film, foreign service, fundraising, human resources, journalism, international relations, law, management, marketing, mediation, ministry, politics, public relations, sales, speech writing, and social work.

Contact Information

Department Chair: Neil Moura

Dean: Dana Smith

www.miracosta.edu/COMM

Department: Communication Studies

Office: Building 3100, 760.795.6871

Full-Time Faculty

Samuel Arenivar
Leola McClure
Neil Moura
Anthony Ongyod

Associate Degree

Associate in Arts Degree

Communication

The Communication Program offers lower-division preparation for students who plan on transferring to pursue a bachelor's degree in communication. Students planning to transfer and/or earn this associate degree may also need to complete additional requirements or electives required by the transfer institution, as many CSUs and UCs have unique admissions and preparation-for-the-major requirements. Students should meet with a MiraCosta College counselor to identify required courses and to develop a written plan for their targeted university.

Required courses:
COMM 101	Oral Communication	3
COMM 120	Principles of Human Communication	3
COMM 106	Group Communication	3
or COMM 207	Interpersonal Communication
or COMM 212	Argumentation
PSYC/SOC 104	Statistics for Behavioral Science	3-4
or MATH 103	Statistics
Select 6 to 7 elective units from the following:		6-7
COMM 106	Group Communication
COMM 207	Interpersonal Communication
COMM 212	Argumentation
COMM 220	Introduction to Mass Communication
PSYC 101	General Psychology
ENGL 201	Critical Thinking, Composition, and Literature
or ENGL 201H	Critical Thinking, Composition, and Literature (Honors)
Total Units		18-20

Certificate

Certificate of Proficiency

Organizational Communication

This certificate provides students with a foundation in communication skills and theories that are applicable to business and organizational contexts. This certificate demonstrates knowledge and proficiency in group, gender, interpersonal, and intercultural communication that students may then apply to their unique workplace environments. The majority of jobs today require people to have awareness of and sensitivity toward the diverse nature of human communication in the workplace. As such, this certificate could help improve the student's opportunity for personal and professional advancement.

Required courses:
COMM 106	Group Communication	3
COMM 135	Gender Studies in Communication	3
COMM 207	Interpersonal Communication	3
COMM 215	Intercultural Communication	3
Total Units		12

Most of the communication courses in this certificate have an official English 100 advisory. This means, in part, that students should be able to read, write, understand, and speak English with college-level fluency at the time of enrollment. Students who need assistance determining their level of English proficiency should consult with a MiraCosta counselor. Courses that are part of this certificate may apply toward the Associate in Arts degree in Communication. By taking day, evening, and/or online courses, students can earn the Certificate of Proficiency in Organizational Communication within two semesters.

How to Read Course Descriptions

Courses listed in this catalog apply to the fall 2010, spring 2011, and summer 2011 terms. Courses are numbered numerically within alphabetically arranged subject areas.

The bolded first line indicates the official course number, a descriptive title, and the number of units. The next lines indicate prerequisites, corequisites, advisories, repeatability rules, enrollment limitations, UC/CSU credit acceptance, and lecture and lab hours followed by a Taxonomy of Program number in parentheses.

Prerequisites: This is a requirement that must be met before a student can enroll in the course.
Corequisites: This is a course the student must take in the same semester.
Advisories: This is recommended preparation the student is advised but not required to have before or in conjunction with the course.
Repeatability Rules: When a course belongs to a group of related courses, students can complete one course or a combination of courses within the group for a maximum of four completions.
Enrollment Limitations: Some courses place limitations on enrollment. These limitations prevent students from duplicating course work or from enrolling in two sections of the same course in any given semester.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU means the course is accepted for transfer at any California State University (CSU) campus; UC means it is accepted for transfer at any University of California (UC) campus. Some courses can be used to satisfy general education or major requirements while others transfer as elective credit. UC Credit Limitation means credit for the course may have UC transfer restrictions; these restrictions are identified at the end of the course description.
Lecture and Lab Hours: These are the number of hours the course meets for lecture and/or lab per week.
Taxonomy of Program (TOP) Number: The TOP number is identified in parentheses after the lecture and lab hours. This number serves an administrative purpose and is not intended for student use.

The course description summarizes the purpose and key topical areas of the course, and it includes special requirements if any exist. Some course descriptions end with information about whether the course was "formerly" another course, how many times the course may be repeated, if the course is offered pass/no pass, or what the UC credit limitation is.

How to Read Course Descriptions

Courses

COMM 101: Oral Communication

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 100.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (1506.00)

Training in the basic principles of oral expression: selection and research on subjects, organization and support of ideas, experience in the development and delivery of various forms of speeches.

COMM 106: Group Communication

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 100.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (1506.00)

This course introduces students to group communication processes and principles, and the necessary role of discussion in society. While addressing current topics of controversy, students learn and apply theories of group problem-solving, roles, conflict resolution, leadership, ethics, and decision-making. Students develop group communication skills in verbal and nonverbal interaction, participation, organization, and cultural diversity.

COMM 110: Voice and Diction

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in COMM 110 or DRAM 110.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (1506.00)

Emphasizes training to improve the speaking voice in quality, flexibility, and effectiveness.

COMM 111: Oral Interpretation of Literature

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in DRAM 111 or COMM 111.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (1506.00)

This course introduces the oral interpretation and analysis of literary works of art in their intellectual, emotional, and aesthetic forms. Class readings include prose, poetry, and drama. Students develop vocal and physical expressiveness, variety, and flexibility through oral presentations of literature.

COMM 120: Principles of Human Communication

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 100.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (1506.00)

An introductory course in human communication concepts and theories, with a focus on the role and significance of communication in and across different contexts. Covers the basic structures and processes of communication, and compares the communication abilities of humans to other species. Message production, message reception, and varying influences on human communication -- such as interpersonal, intercultural, and mediated contexts -- are also analyzed.

COMM 135: Gender Studies in Communication

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 100
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (1506.00)

An examination of the communication patterns typically exhibited by men and women, this course studies differences and similarities in verbal and nonverbal behaviors, perception, conflict, leadership, and interpersonal relationships. Students develop an awareness and appreciation of gender as an important variable in human communication, in both public and private settings.

COMM 207: Interpersonal Communication

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 100.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (1506.00)

Provides for the study of communication within an interpersonal context. Includes the study of the communication process, perception, the symbolic nature of language, non-verbal codes, principles of effective communication, and the effects of communication on people in society.

COMM 212: Argumentation

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 100.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (1506.00)

Includes the study of psychological and logical basis of argument and principles of effective organization. Designed to help the student become a more skilled and responsible advocate.

COMM 215: Intercultural Communication

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 100.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (1506.00)

This course analyzes the cultural factors and variables that influence human communication choices and actions. Study includes a focus on perception, language, reasoning, nonverbal messages, values, beliefs, attitudes, perceptions, and rules. Students will learn to identify the cultural principles and variables of communication so as to act effectively and responsibly when interacting with diverse persons in various contexts.

COMM 220: Introduction to Mass Communication

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 100.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (1506.00)

This course covers the role and impact of mass media in the United States. It demonstrates various media operations in the U.S. and their societal and cultural effects. The course enables students to be informed, critical consumers of mass media, and to understand how the media influence attitudes, values, beliefs, and perceptions.

COMM 292: Internship Studies

Units: 0.5-3
Prerequisites: Complete 6 units at MCC prior to internship; permission of instructor and department chair required.
Corequisite: Must currently be enrolled in 3 units and complete 60 hours of non-paid or 75 hours of paid work per unit of credit.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
(1506.00)

Individualized study linking classroom learning to the workplace. Approval form must be signed by instructor and department chair before registration. (May be taken for a total of 12 units.)

COMM 293: Topics in Communication

Units: 1-3
Prerequisites: None
Repeatability Rule: Allow four completions in any combination of COMM 293, COMM 296.
Lecture 1 hour.
Lecture 2 hours.
Lecture 3 hours. (1506.00)

A study of relevant topics in the discipline not covered in the current selection of courses. Designed to meet special needs; content determined by participating faculty members in consultation with students and the community. Non-transfer topics only.

COMM 296: Topics in Communication

Units: 1-3
Prerequisites: None
Repeatability Rule: Allow four completions in any combination of COMM 293, COMM 296.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 1 hour.
Lecture 2 hours.
Lecture 3 hours. (1506.00)