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for California State University, Fresno.
Department of Communication
COURSES
- Communication (COMM)
- Communication (COMM) --- Graduate Courses
- Communication (COMM) --- In-Service Course
Communication (COMM)
COMM 3. Fundamentals of Public Communication
(3 units)
Theories of human communication and their function in contemporary public
settings; experiences designed to enhance fundamental communication skills
-- research, organization, reasoning, listening, and problem solving --
through a series of oral presentations. G.E. Foundation A1. FS
COMM 4. Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
(3 units)
Introduction to various theories of interpersonal communication; participation
in experiences designed to enhance competence in interpersonal relationships.
FS
COMM 5. Argumentation (3 units)
Logical analysis, evidence, reasoning, and proof used in arriving at
rational decisions as demonstrated through presentation of public speeches
and debates. G.E. Foundation A3. FS
COMM 7. Persuasion (3 units)
Analysis and practice of the use of persuasion as a social tool for
resolving controversy and forming opinions from the perspectives of both
the persuader and the persuaded. G.E. Foundation A1. FS
COMM 8. Group Discussion (3 units)
Communication in group thinking and problem solving through preparation
and presentation of panels and symposia on public issues. G.E. Foundation
A1. FS
COMM 10T. Topics in Communication (1-3; max
total 9 units)
Contemporary problems and issues in communication; sections include
such topics as freedom of speech, parliamentary procedure, special communication
skills, rhetoric of protest and response, and communication processes.
COMM 15. Forensics Laboratory (3; max total 6 units)
Experience in the presentation of debates, oral interpretation programs,
persuasive and expository speaking. Intramural and intercollegiate competition
in forensics.
COMM 100. Theories of Human Communication (3 units)
Survey of major theories of human communication, philosophical issues,
and applications; theories include interpersonal, group, organizational,
intercultural, linguistic, and persuasion. FS
COMM 103. Advanced Public Speaking (3 units)
Advanced principles of expository and persuasive speaking; development
of skills through analysis, preparation, organization, and delivery of various
types of speech. S even
COMM 105. Argumentation Theory (3 units)
Analysis of the theories and techniques of argumentation, including
models of argument, relationships between persuasion and argumentation,
and the effects of argumentative discourse. F
COMM 108. Communication and the Small
Group (3 units)
Analysis of group communication theories and their application to small
group behavior in specific variables such as leadership, power, conflict-resolution,
conformity, cohesiveness, and related group processes. S
COMM 114. Communication and Learning (3 units)
(Same as CI 158.) The nature of communication and its relationship to
learning and instruction; management of oral communication strategies in
the educational setting. FS
COMM 115. Advanced Forensics Laboratory (3;
max total 6 units)
Experience in the presentation of debates, oral interpretation programs,
persuasive and expository speaking. Intramural and intercollegiate competition
in forensics.
COMM 120. Gender Communication (3 units)
Exploration of gender variables that affect human communication behaviors,
focusing on behaviors that have some mythical or factual bases in sex similarities
and differences. F
COMM 140. Rhetorical Theory (3 units)
An examination and analysis of significant theories and theorists of
rhetoric from the classical to the modern period. Emphasis on preparation
of research papers reflecting rhetorical principles of communication. FS
COMM 142. Communication Criticism (3 units)
Examination of historical and contemporary communication events using
principles of critical evaluation from rhetorical, artistic, and media perspectives.
Written papers and presentations of analyses utilizing critical principles
from these perspectives. FS
COMM 148. American Public Address (3 units)
An examination of significant American speakers and speeches set in
an environment of social and political history. The course is designed to
acquaint students with the role of public address within the forces of American
history. S
COMM 149. Freedom of Speech (3 units)
Examines the tradition of freedom of speech and expression in the American
democracy. Focuses upon the First Amendment to the Constitution and major
case laws which impact contemporary standards for public discourse, politics,
broadcast, and journalism. F
COMM 150. Communication and Aging (3 units)
(Same as GERON 150.) Focusing on the communication aspects of the aging
process, organized around the major communication components of intrapersonal,
interpersonal, and mass communication with addition of such topics as attitudes,
stereotypes, nonverbal, and the communication aspects of health care. F
COMM 160. Meaning, Language, and Communication
(3 units)
A review and analysis of the various approaches to the study of human
symbolic behavior, with focus on such theories as: General Semantics, Psycholinguistics,
Sociolinguistics, Epistemology, and other philosophical and scientific enquiries
into the nature of language and meaning. F
COMM 161. Family Communication (3 units)
Examines communication theories and empirical findings related to interaction
in relationships, such as parent-child, sibling, romantic, and grandparent-grandchild.
Coverage also includes blended and non-traditional family forms. Investigates
positive and sub-optimal processes, including conflict, relational dissolution,
and abuse. S
COMM 162. Interpersonal Communication (3 units)
An examination, analysis, and application of communication theories
and variables involved in interpersonal contexts such acquaintanceships,
courtships, friendships, and families. Attention is given to communicative
practices involved in the effective management of interpersonal relationships
over time. FS
COMM 163. Social Influence and Attitude Change
(3 units)
Seminar on the nature and effects of social influence, with special
emphasis on attitude formation and change, conformity, behavior, "brain
washing," prejudice, and propaganda as functions of communication.
FS
COMM 164. Intercultural Communication (3 units)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. Analysis of cultural
variables and factors in the communication process and strategies for the
resolution of intercultural problems; consideration of implications for
education and programs necessarily involving intercultural communication.
G.E. Multicultural/International MI. FS
COMM 165. Computer Applications in Communication (3 units)
Study and use of various computer systems available in the study of
human communication: Fortran IV, Coursewriter III, LISP, SNOBOL, General
Enquirer; emphasis on processing verbal data. FS
COMM 166. Communication Research Methods (3 units)
Application of behavioral research principles to problems in quantification,
design, and analysis of data in communication research. FS
COMM 167. Leadership in Groups and Organizations (3 units)
Theory and practice of selected leadership variables in groups and organizations;
functions of leadership in formal and informal structures, understanding
and analysis of role-playing techniques. F
odd
COMM 168. Communication in Organizations (3 units)
Examination of organizational communication from a multiple discipline
perspective. Through the study of theory and experiential learning in simulations,
students develop skills necessary for planning, staffing, developing, decision-making,
and problem-solving in organizations. FS
COMM 169. Communication and Conflict (3 units)
Examination of the role of communication in conflict in interpersonal,
small groups, organizational, and societal settings. Through experiential
learning, case study analyses, and practice of intervention skills, students
address conflict styles, strategies, tactics, third-party intervention,
and mediation techniques. S
COMM 170. Business and Professional Speaking
(3 units)
Development of communication skills necessary for success in business,
government, and the professions. Includes theory and practice of interviewing,
job instruction training, work group leadership, and proposal presentations.
Class activities are adapted to students' career goals. S
COMM 171. Communication and Planning Change
in the Social System (3 units)
Provides students with an understanding of the communication processes involved
in the evolution of social systems. Students will examine a full range of
social settings (small groups, organizations, cultures, etc.) from a variety
of theoretical and analytical perspectives. F
even
COMM 176. Communication Consulting and Training
(3 units)
Development of skills necessary for effective communication consulting
in business, government, and the professions. Includes theory and practice
of needs assessments, planning and conducting training activities, and evaluation
of educational activities; topics relating to adult education and client-consultant
relationships. S
COMM 179. Internship (1-6; max total 12 units)
Prerequisites: major in communication, at least 75 units completed and
permission of instructor. Supervised work experience in government, business,
social agencies, or nonprofit organizations. CR/NC grading only. FS
COMM 188T. Topics in Communication (1-3;
max total 9 units)
Selected topics in communication. FS
COMM 189. Projects in Communication (1-3;
max total 6 units)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Projects in communication. (4
hours activity)
COMM 190. Independent Study(1-3; max total 6 units)
See Academic Placement -- Independent
Study. Approved for RP grading.
GRADUATE COURSES
(See Catalog Numbering System.)
Communication (COMM)
COMM 205. Seminar in Argumentation (3 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 105, 140, or permission of instructor. Examination
of traditional and contemporary argumentation theory and research. Analysis
of argument fields, theories of argument, argument as epistemic, argument
and persuasion, argument and critical thinking.
COMM 214. Seminar in Instructional Communications
(3 units)
An examination of the relationships of learning theories to communication
study and research. Research in instructional communication, teaching strategies
in communication education, and techniques for applying these concepts in
educational and training settings.
COMM 215. Seminar in Communication (3; max
total 9 units)
Research and individually directed work within one area of specialization.
Approved for RP grading.
COMM 241. Seminar in Rhetorical Theory (3 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 140, equivalent, or permission of instructor. A seminar
which deals with the development of specific principles by selected theorists.
COMM 242M. Seminar in Contemporary Criticism
(3 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 142, equivalent, or permission of instructor. The
role of rhetorical criticism in contemporary society.
COMM 243. Seminar in Public and Strategic
Address (3 units)
A detailed study of the theory and practice of public discourse used
to persuade audiences regarding the nature and resolution of political,
social, religious, and economic problems.
COMM 262. Seminar in Communication Theory
and Research (3 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 100, equivalent, or permission of instructor. An
examination and evaluation of mathematical, philosophical, sociological,
psychological, and rhetorical theories of human communication. Emphasis
upon the assumptions and implications of various theories, models, and constructs.
COMM 263. Seminar in Group Communication
(3 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 108, equivalent, or permission of instructor. A critical
examination of the scientific research and theories in group communication
including research variables and methodologies. Implications of research
findings for contemporary communication problems.
COMM 264M. Seminar in Communication Research
Methods (3 units)
Application of quantitative, qualitative, and/or critical methodologies
to a variety of problems studied in human communication. Discussion of design,
analysis, and interpretation of quantitative data and/or qualitative experiences.
COMM 265. Seminar in Interpersonal Communication
(3 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 162, equivalent, or permission of instructor. An
examination of current quantitative and qualitative theory and research
in interpersonal communication. Implications and applications to various
kinds of human relationships and various aspects of those relationships,
e.g., stages, relational communication, attraction, conflict, self-disclosing.
COMM 266. Seminar in Communication and Culture
(3 units)
An examination of current critical, humanistic, and/or social scientific
approaches to studying the communicative construction, negotiation, and
performance of cultural identities and practices.
COMM 268. Seminar in Organizational Communication
(3 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 168, equivalent, or permission of instructor. Theory
and application of organizational communication, including interpersonal
and group communication in planning, staffing, development and decision
making in complex organizations; organizational systems and environments;
recognizing, diagnosing, and solving organizational problems.
COMM 275. Seminar in Applied Communication
(3 units)
An extended examination of theories, research methodologies, and professional
practices regarding communication in a specific applied context (e.g., health
communication, risk communication, legal communication, etc.).
COMM 276. Seminar in Communication Training
and Development (3 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 176, equivalent, or permission of instructor. In-depth
view and application of approaches to training in communication skills in
organizations including needs assessment for training, workshop and seminar
development, and evaluation of interventions.
COMM 290. Independent Study (1-3; max total 6 units)
See Academic Placement -- Independent
Study. Approved for RP grading.
COMM 298. Project (2-6; max total 6 units)*
Prerequisite: prior advancement to candidacy, appropriate methodological
tools (COMM 242M, or 264M), equivalent, or permission of student's committee.
See Criteria for Thesis and Project.
Preparation, design, conduct, and evaluation of project applying rhetorical
and communication theories; e.g., communication campaign for public agency,
communication audit of corporate organization, extensive consulting or training
activities, etc. Requires scholarly report similar in format to thesis and
final oral defense. Approved for RP grading.
COMM 299. Thesis (2-6; max total 6 units)*
Prerequisite: appropriate methodological tools (COMM 242M, or 264M),
equivalent, or permission of student's committee. See Criteria
for Thesis and Project. Preparation, completion, and submission of an
acceptable thesis for the master's degree. Approved for RP grading.
_________
* For 298C and 299C courses, see Graduate
Studies.
Note: Students must have earned at least a C in all
courses considered as meeting the prerequisite requirements.
IN-SERVICE COURSE
(See Catalog Numbering System.)
Communication (COMM)
COMM 303. Topics in Communication
(1-3; max total 12 units; repeatable with different topics)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Application of the theories in communication.
Communication
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