Catalog Description

Formerly known as BUS 85
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL C1000
Hours: 54 lecture
Description: Foundational introduction to communication studies. Students will practice speech-making in a democratic society and explore key communication theories and principles within public speaking, small group, and interpersonal contexts. The course equips students to ethically articulate ideas across diverse contexts and audiences. Students will learn to employ public speaking techniques (both informative and persuasive), use critical thinking to evaluate public discourse, and engage effectively in interpersonal and group communication. The course is designed as an oral communication option to help students manage high levels of communication apprehension. (C-ID COMM 115) (CSU, UC)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Deliver individual speeches and group presentations to a live audience using effective verbal and nonverbal techniques, including communication apprehension management.
  • CSLO #2: Analyze and apply principles of symbolic interaction to demonstrate an understanding of how meaning is created, shared and negotiated within interpersonal, group, and public communication settings.
  • CSLO #3: Demonstrate effective group communication skills in areas of leadership communication, problem-solving, role orientation, conflict strategies, and managing group dynamics to achieve group goals.
  • CSLO #4: Demonstrate communication competence by applying effective verbal and nonverbal strategies, adapting messages to diverse relational contexts, and evaluating ethical and cultural implications of their interactions.

Effective Term

Fall 2026

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

54

Outside of Class Hours

108

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the canons of rhetoric including Aristotle's proofs of logos ethos and pathos.
    2. Use information literacy skills to find and critically examine supporting materials from primary and secondary sources to use in speeches, group oral presentations, and critical analysis assignments.
     3. Formulate a clear thesis purpose statement and use an appropriate organizational pattern to synthesize ideas into compelling and logically sound arguments which are appropriate for audience occasion and context.
    4. Understand and apply ethical principles and communication including Integrity accuracy truthfulness honesty and reason.
     5. Demonstrate rhetorical sensitivity to diversity, Equity, belonging, accessibility, and a culture of inclusion.
    6. Carefully prepare a variety of faculty supervised, faculty evaluated speeches delivered to a live audience which demonstrate the oral communication concepts featured in the course.
    7. Deliver individual speeches and group presentations using effective verbal and nonverbal techniques including communication apprehension management.
     8. Demonstrate active listening skills in a variety of communication contexts including to provide constructive feedback to peers for Conflict Management.
     9. Apply rhetorical theories to create and analyze public speeches in a variety of contexts including historical and/or contemporary.
    10. Explain the similarities and differences between the fields of public speaking interpersonal communication and small group communication.
    11. Demonstrate the interpersonal concepts of perception, self-concept, and verbal and nonverbal communication.
    12. Participate in small groups and achieve group goals through understanding and application of leadership, problem-solving, and role orientation.
     

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • AA/AS - Oral Communication
    • AA/AS - Comm & Analyt Thinking
    • AA/AS - Oral Comm Skills
  • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
    • CSUGE - A1 Oral Communication
  • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
    • Cal-GETC 1C - Oral Communication
  • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

    Articulation Information

    • CSU Transferable
    • UC Transferable

    Methods of Evaluation

    • Classroom Discussions
      • Example: End of class Quick poll/student quiz using a polling software that allows instructor to deliver a formative assessment and provide student feedback in real time. For example, which listener relevance link is best for this speech?
    • Essay Examinations
      • Example: Sample essay exam question: Identify techniques to overcome communication apprehension. Questions will be evaluated using a grading scale that demonstrates the degrees of appropriateness and accuracy.
    • Skill Demonstrations
      • Example: Research, prepare, and deliver an informative microlearning presentation on a communication topic in front of a live audience. Students will be assessed using a rubric that focuses on Content, Delivery, Visual Aids and Structure.

    Repeatable

    No

    Methods of Instruction

    • Lecture/Discussion
    • Distance Learning

    Lecture:

    1. Instructor facilitates student learning by engaging students in class question-and-answer sessions based on textbook readings where they apply oral communication concepts to business situations. For example- After defining paraphrasing, students apply paraphrasing content, intent and feelings in a role play activity. (Objective 8)
    2. Instructor presents video selections of workplace interview behavior for student analysis. Instructor explains tips to improve interviewing techniques for both interviewer and interviewee. Students role play and practice skills. (Objective 7)

    Distance Learning

    1. Instructor presents lecture on pathos and storytelling using PowerPoint Slides and TED Talk speaker examples. Students participate in story telling activity to build speaking skills. (Objective 1)

    Typical Out of Class Assignments

    Reading Assignments

    1. Read the chapter on verbal and non-verbal communication and discuss findings orally. In pairs, practice identifying non-verbal communication under the category of paralanguage. 2. Read a transcript from a speech. Outline the speaker's big ideas and share with the class. 3. Read the textbook section on the communication apprehension, and associated articles, use the reflection template to complete your response to the reading. 4. Read the transcript and watch Baratunde Thurston's TED Talk and identify the different types of information he uses to make his speech interesting.

    Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

    1. Prepare and deliver an elevator pitch for an interviewing assignment. Participants will role-play in a live mock interview. 2. Use the PREP model to organize ideas and deliver a short speech about your culture. 3. Deliver oral presentations in front of a live audience using visual aids.

    Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

    Summative Assessments: 1. Students will prepare an informative Who Am I Speech that uses personal reflection and application of intra/interpersonal, and group communication concepts. 2. Students conduct a group audit to diagnose team problems, then orally recommend solutions in a presentation given to another team. 3. Students prepare a microlearning training presentation to teach (demonstration speech) the audience about a communication concept. This speech is delivered in front of a live audience. 4. Students will research, prepare, and deliver a persuasive presentation advocating for a workplace intervention or change.

    Required Materials

    • Communicate
      • Author: Kathleen Verderber
      • Publisher: Cengage
      • Publication Date: 2024
      • Text Edition: 16th
      • Classic Textbook?: No
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • Communication in the Real World
      • Author: University of Minnesota
      • Publisher: University of Minnesota
      • Publication Date: 2016
      • Text Edition: OER
      • Classic Textbook?: No
      • OER Link:
      • OER: https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/274
    • Exploring Public Speaking
      • Author: Barbara Tucker
      • Publisher: University of Georgia
      • Publication Date: 2019
      • Text Edition:
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER: oer.galileo.usg.edu

    Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.