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Communication

Communication

Associate Degree

Associate in Arts Degree

Communication Studies for Transfer 2.0

Students completing this associate degree will have completed lower-division major preparation requirements for a communications degree, an emphasis or option within a communications degree, or a degree considered similar to communications at a participating California State University (CSU) campus. Following transfer to a participating CSU campus, students will be required to complete no more than 60 units to obtain a bachelor’s degree; however, some CSU campuses may require additional lower-division major preparation. This degree may not be appropriate preparation for students transferring to a CSU campus not accepting this degree or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system. Students should consult with a MiraCosta counselor for further information regarding the most efficient pathway to transfer as a communications major and to determine which CSU campuses are participating in this program.

To complete the degree, students must fulfill the following requirements:

  • Complete a minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units.
  • Complete all courses required in the major with a “C” or "P" or better.
  • Complete the CSU-GE (Plan B) or IGETC (Plan C)* general education pattern.
  • Obtain a minimum CSU-transferable GPA of 2.0.
  • Complete a minimum of 12 units in residence at MiraCosta College.

* Students completing IGETC may be awarded the degree, but they must complete a course from Area IC: Oral Communication to meet CSU admission requirements.

Program Student Learning Outcome Statement

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • present clear and effective messages.
  • understand the relevance of the theories and methods of communication.
  • be prepared for transfer to a communication studies program in a California State University.
Required Core:
COMM 101Public Speaking *3
COMM 207Interpersonal Communication *3
List A: 6 Units. Select two courses.6
Group Communication *
Narrative Performance *
Principles of Human Communication *
Introduction to Persuasion *
Argumentation *
Intercultural Communication *
Introduction to Mass Communication *
List B: 6 Units. Select two courses.6
Any course from List A not already used.
Gender Studies in Communication *
Race and Ethnicity in Communication *
Communication, Culture, and Leadership *
Social Media Strategies for Communication Studies
Total Units18
*

Course satisfies a general education requirement on the CSU-GE or IGETC general education pattern. To ensure this degree is completed with no more than 60 units, students should select courses that will also satisfy a general education requirement.

NOTE: Students are strongly advised to select courses that meet lower-division major preparation requirements at their transfer university and to complete the History, Constitution, and American Ideals requirement prior to transfer.

How to Read Course Descriptions

For more detailed information about a course, such as its content, objectives, and fulfillment of a degree, certificate, or general education requirement, please see the official course outline of record, available on the Courses and Programs webpage at https://www.miracosta.edu/governance/courses-and-programs-committee/curriculum-management-system.html.

Courses

COMM 101: Public Speaking

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course provides training in the basic principles of oral expression. Students learn how to select and research subjects, organize and support ideas, and prepare and deliver various forms of speeches. C-ID COMM-110.

COMM 106: Group Communication

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

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. C-ID COMM-140.

COMM 111: Narrative Performance

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall or Spring

This course introduces narrative performance and analysis of narrative works of art in their intellectual, emotional, and aesthetic forms. Class readings include traditional and contemporary approaches to storytelling and types of narratives, such as prose, poetry and drama. Students develop methods for constructing narratives and performance strategies for telling stories, including vocal and physical expressiveness, variety, and flexibility through narrative performance. C-ID COMM-170.

COMM 120: Principles of Human Communication

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

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. C-ID COMM-180.

COMM 135: Gender Studies in Communication

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: ACE 150, ENGL 50, ESL 150, or eligibility determined by the English placement process.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall or Spring

This course examines the communication patterns typically exhibited by men and women. It 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 144: Race and Ethnicity in Communication

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course provides both a theoretical and a practical exploration of how we communicate race and ethnicity in the United States. Topics include how contemporary and historical constructions of race and ethnicity influence identity construction, everyday interactions, and intercultural social dynamics. The course emphasizes developing racial and ethnic awareness concerning situations where perceived racial or ethnic differences factor into communication outcomes. Students engage with qualitative analysis, social, cultural, and political theories, and power relations related to the representations of Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and/or Latinas/os in contemporary popular culture in the US.

COMM 150: Communication, Culture, and Leadership

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course introduces the fundamental elements of leadership in communication as it relates to theories, ethics, styles, and different cultures. Students analyze and appreciate the philosophical, historical, aesthetic, and cultural aspects of leadership in various works of importance. They also articulate their own leadership experiences as they relate to the development of a personal philosophy of leadership that includes an understanding of subjective human experiences of self, others, community, and culture.

COMM 186: Social Media Strategies for Communication Studies

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course explores the growing need for social media technology from a communication perspective within and across multiple online contexts. Students gain the knowledge and skills to effectively apply communication theories and concepts to social media and digital contexts to gain an understanding of online behaviors and practices. Students learn how to communicate messages for an intended audience within social media environments and are introduced to social media technologies and digital communication methods, such as branding, content creation, team organization, distribution channels, strategies, and ways to assess digital platforms.

COMM 190: Introduction to Persuasion

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course examines the components of persuasive messages in advertising, politics, and sales. Students analyze persuasive themes, such as ethics, logic, reasoning, and fallacies, as they relate to the use of evidence, speaker credibility, and emotional appeals directed toward various types of audiences. Students learn skills for practical everyday living as a participant in a complex society.

COMM 207: Interpersonal Communication

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

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. C-ID COMM-130.

COMM 212: Argumentation

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: ENGL 50 or or ESL 150 ACE 150
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

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. C-ID COMM-120.

COMM 215: Intercultural Communication

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: ENGL 100 or ENGL 100H
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

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. C-ID COMM-150.

COMM 220: Introduction to Mass Communication

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: ACE 150, ENGL 50, ESL 150, or eligibility determined by the English placement process.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course covers the history, 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. C-ID JOUR-100.

COMM 292: Internship Studies

Units: 0.5-3
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: Complete 75 hrs paid or 60 hrs non-paid work per unit.
Enrollment Limitation: Instructor, dept chair, and Career Center approval. May not enroll in any combination of cooperative work experience and/or internship studies concurrently.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged

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.
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged

This course gives students an opportunity to study topics in Communications that are not included in regular course offerings. Each Topics course is announced, described, and given its own title and 296 number designation in the class schedule.

COMM 299: Occupational Cooperative Work Experience

Units: 1-4
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: Complete 75 hrs paid or 60 hrs non-paid work per unit.
Enrollment Limitation: Career Center approval. May not enroll in any combination of cooperative work experience and/or internship studies concurrently.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged

Occupational Cooperative Work Experience Education is intended for students 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.

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