Catalog Description

Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL C1000
Hours: 54 lecture
Description: Introduction to the symbolic process of communication through the study of foundational communication theories and concepts to develop critical thinking and communication competence in a variety of contexts. Areas of theoretical focus include public speaking, rhetoric, small group, and interpersonal communication. (C-ID COMM 115) (CSU, UC-with unit limitation)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Engage in the public speaking process by researching, preparing, organizing, and presenting informative and persuasive speeches with coherent, rhetorically sensitive, audience-centered messages.
  • CSLO #2: Investigate and assess communication theories and strategies for working within diverse small groups (e.g., listening, conflict management, decision making, group roles, etc.).\\n
  • CSLO #3: Analyze interpersonal communication theories and concepts to apply to a personal relationship in your own life.
  • CSLO #4: Identify and analyze intercultural communication theories and concepts to develop cultural competence and sensitivity to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility.

Effective Term

Fall 2026

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

54

Outside of Class Hours

108

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Present a well-organized (extemporaneous) speech to be delivered in front of a live audience. 
  2. Demonstrate critical thinking and reasoning skills by conducting research (primary and secondary sources), evaluating source credibility, and presenting evidence in support of a logical argument during a live speech. Cite sources correctly both in-text and as reference material. 
  3. Showcase rhetorical sensitivity to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility in both writing and verbal communication practices.
  4. Engage in ethical communication communication practices including  engaged listening, truthfulness, mindfulness, accuracy, and honesty
  5. Identify and explain the Canons of Rhetoric, Aristotelian proofs (ethos, pathos, logos)) and the Toulmin Model then apply this knowledge to plan and deliver a speech to live audiences. 
  6. Demonstrate effective public speaking skills by:
    1. Applying audience analysis techniques appropriate the live audience
    2. Crafting compelling, well-organized and logical arguments in support of a thesis across a variety of speech contexts (informative, persuasive)
    3. Decipher and select relevant research sources as support for claims
    4. Write formal speech outlines using an introduction, main points, conclusion and transitions
    5. Use effective presentation enhancers/visual aids in an individual or group speech
    6. Employing effective verbal and nonverbal presentation skills to deliver effective speeches to a live audience
  7. Perform effective techniques of persuasion in both written and oral communication.
  8. Critically analyze and evaluate information and arguments for the purpose of creating meaningful, effective, and ethical oral and written messages.
  9. Demonstrate effective listening skills in order to provide appropriate and constructive feedback to peers on verbal and nonverbal presentation skills. 
  10. Understand barriers to interpersonal, group and intercultural communication competence.
  11. Explain the role of perception and self-concept to the communication process.
  12. Showcase an understanding of small group communication skills to be applied in diverse group settings, including: collaborative communication, problem solving, and conflict management strategies.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • AA/AS - Oral Communication
    • AA/AS - Behavioral Sciences
    • AA/AS - Comm & Analyt Thinking
    • AA/AS - Oral Comm Skills
    • AA/AS - Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • 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)
    • IGETC - 1C Oral Communication

Articulation Information

  • CSU Transferable
  • UC Transferable

Methods of Evaluation

  • Classroom Discussions
    • Example: Students may select a controversial topic of personal interest to research, selecting both primary and secondary sources as support for their claims. In small groups, students will craft their arguments showcasing a variety of rhetorical strategies (Toulmin model, ethos, pathos, logos). Various group members will adopt different and diverse stakeholder positions, thus representing multiple sides of the issue and present their arguments to a live audience. A moderator will be selected to prepare an introduction and questions for analysis as a practice in civil dialogue.
  • Essay Examinations
    • Example: Students will write a traditional essay responding to one or more prompts. Example: Aristotle identified three artistic proofs—ethos, pathos, and logos—as the foundation of persuasion. 1) Define each of the Aristotelian proofs in your own words. 2) Provide a specific example of how a speaker might use each proof effectively in a contemporary public speech (for example: a political address or a graduation speech). 3) Finally, evaluate which proof you believe is most persuasive in today’s society and explain why. Example: Reflect back on the discussion about interpersonal relationship stages of development. Using one or more interpersonal communication theories, map the trajectory of an interpersonal relationship relevant to your life. Be sure to identify at least three stages of development.
  • Objective Examinations
    • Example: Exam which may include concept definitions, multiple choice, or true/false answers, or short-answer questions based on course objectives and work covered over a manageable period of time. Aristotle identified three primary modes of persuasion, often referred to as the "Aristotelian proofs." Which of the following correctly describes them? A. Pathos, Logos, and Doxa — appealing to emotion, logic, and commonly held beliefs B. Ethos, Pathos, and Logos — appealing to credibility, emotion, and logic C. Ethos, Mythos, and Logos — appealing to character, cultural stories, and logic D. Logos, Kairos, and Pathos — appealing to logic, timeliness, and emotion Correct Answer: B. Ethos, Pathos, and Logos — appealing to credibility, emotion, and logic
  • Problem Solving Examinations
    • Example: Provided with a case scenario, students will work to arrive at creative and effective solutions to everyday communication problems. Students will be presented with an ethical dilemma - for example, being asked to sit through a political speech where they do not agree with the speaker's message. Students will craft an essay in response to their attendance explaining how they might engage ethical listening skills and provide speaker feedback that showcases their understanding of these communication principles.
  • Skill Demonstrations
    • Example: Live demonstration engaging effective public speaking practices for managing communication apprehension. In small groups, create a skit to perform in class that showcases the 5 Canons of Rhetoric. 1) Invention - in small groups, brainstorm a skit idea for the provided prompt. 2) Arrangement - develop a mini-outline appropriate for the live audience that includes a hook, thesis, three main points, and a memorable conclusion. 3) Style - revise and enhance the style using various rhetorical devices (humor, metaphor). 4) Memory - practice to increase credibility and confidence. 5) Delivery - each group presents mini-skit/speech using effective verbal and nonverbal skills.
  • Other
    • Example: Faculty-supervised, faculty-evaluated, oral presentations in front of a live audience (one to many), including an informative speech and a persuasive speech; formal speech outlines complete with in-text citations from primary and secondary sources, as well as a reference list. Students will present extemporaneous informative and persuasive speeches for a live classroom audience. They will receive critiques from their peers and be evaluated by their instructor based on a performance rubric that is shared with students in advance.

Repeatable

No

Methods of Instruction

  • Lecture/Discussion
  • Distance Learning

Lecture:

  1. Engaging the principles of a student-centered classroom, the instructor facilitates peer discussions focused on various communication principles and concepts. For example, the instructor may guide conversations about ethics, mindful communication practice, rhetorical canons/Aristotelian methods of persuasion as compared to global persuasive strategies, etc.
  2. Directed work in a prescribed, hands-on course of study in a social-laboratory environment. or various classroom activities such as learning scenarios. For example, after guiding students through an application of Human Communication Experience methods for groups, students participate in an activity during a course session facilitated by the instructor or another student.

Distance Learning

  1. Instructor will provide digital instructions through closed captioned videos that reflect the course outcomes. For example, instructors will use voice-over and/or video content to instruct students how to incorporate effective public speaking delivery techniques. Students then interact with both instructor and peers via threaded discussion boards showcasing their application of learned skills, including ethical listening and feedback, via written and/or audio and video recorded responses

Typical Out of Class Assignments

Reading Assignments

1. Using the chapter resources and/or the SOAPStone method of rhetorical analysis handout provided in class, critically analyze a contemporary and mediated communication artifact (e.g., music video, commercial, PSA, digital short, etc.). Pay special attention to the concepts we have learned in class and how communication theory can be applied to the method of analysis. 2. Using a mix of primary, secondary, and support sources, thoroughly research the topic of your persuasive speech, checking for source credibility, relevancy, and accuracy. Select the material that enhances your thesis/purpose statement as well as your main points. Be sure to quote, paraphrase and/or cite the sources using proper formatting.

Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

Plan and write an outline for an informative speech about a specific cultural artifact. In the outline, be sure to include a clear thesis/purpose statement, a well-rounded introduction, a comprehensive body with supported main points, and effective conclusion. The outline should also include a works cited page for all outside sources used. Speaker outlines traditionally include nonverbal cues (e.g., speak up, use gestures, ask the audience a question).

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

Craft and maintain a digital portfolio of recorded speeches showcasing your public speaking delivery skills in various contexts. After each recorded speech, prepare a short written self-reflection about your strengths and areas of improvement.

Required Materials

  • Essential Communication
    • Author: Adler, Ronald B., George Rodman, & Athena du Pré
    • Publisher: Oxford University Press
    • Publication Date: 2021
    • Text Edition: 3rd
    • Classic Textbook?: No
    • OER Link:
    • OER:
  • Introduction to Communication
    • Author: Scott T. Paynton & Laura K. Hahn with Humboldt State University Students
    • Publisher: LibreText Libraries
    • Publication Date: 2021
    • Text Edition: 1st
    • Classic Textbook?: No
    • OER Link:
    • OER: Open Education Resource (OER) LibreTexts Project: https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Communication/Introduction_to_Communication/Introduction_to_Communication_(Paynton_and_Hahn)
  • Communication in Our Lives
    • Author: Wood, Julia T.
    • Publisher: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning
    • Publication Date: 2024
    • Text Edition: 9th
    • Classic Textbook?: No
    • OER Link:
    • OER:
  • Introduction to Communication
    • Author: Keith Green, Ruth Fairchild, Bev Knudsen, & Darcy Lease-Gubrud
    • Publisher: LibreText
    • Publication Date: 2021
    • Text Edition: 1st
    • Classic Textbook?: No
    • OER Link:
    • OER: Open Education Resource (OER) LibreTexts Project: https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Communication/Introduction_to_Communication/Introduction_to_Communication_(Green_et_al.)
  • Communication In the Real World
    • Author: Author removed at request of publisher
    • Publisher: University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing
    • Publication Date: 2016
    • Text Edition: 2nd
    • Classic Textbook?: No
    • OER Link:
    • OER: Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial ShareAlike: https://open.lib.umn.edu/communication/

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