2011-2012 CATALOG

This is an archived copy of the 2011-2012 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

Sam Arenivar
Leola McClure
Neil Moura

Anthony Ongyod
Eric Robertson

Associate Degree

Associate in Arts - Transfer Degree

Communication Studies

The Communication Studies Program provides students with a theoretical and methodological foundation of the nature of communication in its various contexts as well as the uses, effects, and relevancy of communication in their own lives. The program offers lower-division preparation for students who plan on transferring to pursue a bachelor’s degree in communication. 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.

Students completing this degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system but not to a particular campus or major. This degree may not be the best option for students intending to transfer to a particular CSU campus or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system. (See Transferring Course Work for more information.) Students should consult with a MiraCosta counselor for admission requirements specific to their intended transfer university.

Required Core:
COMM 101	Oral Communication	3
Category A: Two of the following three courses.		6
COMM 106	Group Communication
COMM 207	Interpersonal Communication
COMM 212	Argumentation
Category B: Two of the following four courses.		6
COMM 111	Oral Interpretation of Literature
COMM 120	Principles of Human Communication
COMM 215	Intercultural Communication
COMM 220	Introduction to Mass Communication
Category C: One of the following courses.		3-4
Any single COMM course not used for Category A or B
ANTH 102	Cultural Anthropology
or ANTH 102H	Cultural Anthropology (Honors)
COMM 135	Gender Studies in Communication
DRAM 110	Voice and Diction
PSYC 100	Introduction to Psychology
PSYC/SOC 104	Statistics for Behavioral Science
SOC 101	Introduction to Sociology
or SOC 101H	Introduction to Sociology (Honors)
Total Units		18-19

How to Read Course Descriptions

Courses listed in this catalog apply to the fall 2011, spring 2012, and summer 2012 terms. Courses are numbered numerically within alphabetically arranged subject areas.

The bolded first line begins with a capitalized abbreviation that designates the subject area. This subject-area designator is followed by the official course number and a descriptive title. The next lines indicate the course's unit value, 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 111: Oral Interpretation of Literature

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with credit in DRAM 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: ENGL 100.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (1506.00)

This course introduces human communication concepts and theories. It focuses on the role and significance of communication in and across different contexts, and it covers the basic structures and processes of communication. Topics include message production, message reception, and varying influences on human communication, such as interpersonal, intercultural, and mediated contexts.

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)

This course provides for the study of communication within an interpersonal context. It includes the study of the communication process, perception, the symbolic nature of language, nonverbal 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)

This course examines the psychological and logical basis of argument and principles of effective organization. It teaches the development and application of critical thinking skills as well as the practice of creating and evaluating arguments so students can become more skilled and responsible advocates.

COMM 215: Intercultural Communication

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: 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. It focuses on perception, language, reasoning, nonverbal messages, values, beliefs, attitudes, and rules. Students 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: None
Corequisite: Complete 60 non-paid or 75 paid hours of work per unit.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
(1506.00)

This course provides students the opportunity to apply the theories and techniques of their discipline in an internship position in a professional setting under the instruction of a faculty-mentor and site supervisor. It introduces students to aspects of the roles and responsibilities of professionals employed in the field of study. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students must develop new learning objectives and/or intern at a new site upon each repetition. Students may not earn more than 16 units in any combination of cooperative work experience (general or occupational) and/or internship studies during community college attendance.

COMM 296: Topics in Communication

Units: 1-3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
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.

COMM 299: Occupational Cooperative Work Experience

Units: 1-4
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: Employed in a position related to major; complete 60 non-paid or 75 paid hours of work per unit.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
(1506.00)

Cooperative Work Experience is intended for students who are employed in a job directly related to their major. It allows such students the opportunity to apply the theories and skills of their discipline to their position and to undertake new responsibilities and learn new skills at work. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students may not earn more than 16 units in any combination of cooperative work experience (general or occupational) and/or internship studies during community college attendance.