Communication Studies

The Department of Communication Studies offers a strong curriculum that embraces a range of traditions in the discipline. Humanistic, aesthetic and social scientific methods are used to examine communication processes and patterns in a variety of contexts and the promises and challenges people experience when they use language and other symbolic systems to work with and influence others. Students are provided with instruction in the knowledge and skills people need to communicate and function effectively in business, law, government, the ministry, teaching, the performing arts, politics, international relations and numerous other areas. The knowledge and skills offered in the department help students to build satisfying and productive relationships in their careers, as well as in their personal lives, and to become active and reflective global citizens.

1. Core Requirements (18 units)

COMS 301 Performance, Language and Cultural Studies (3)
COMS 321 Rhetorical Discourse (3)
COMS 327 Rhetorical Theory (3)
COMS 351 Communication Theory (3)
COMS 356 Intercultural Communication (3)

One of the following methods courses:

COMS 430 Rhetorical Criticism (3)
COMS 440 Performance and Cultural Studies Criticism (3)
COMS 450 Communication Research Methodology (3)

2. Divisional Requirements (9 units)

a. Performance and Cultural Studies

(COMS 301 is a prerequisite for all courses in this band.)

Select 3 units from the following courses:

COMS 303 Narrative in Performance (3)
COMS 304 Poetry in Performance (3)
COMS 354 Communication and Technology (3)
COMS 401 Performance and Social Change (3)
COMS 404 Theories of Interpretation (3)
COMS 445 Communication and Popular Cultures (3)

b. Rhetorical Theory

(COMS 327 is a prerequisite for all courses in this band.)

Select 3 units from the following courses:

COMS 425 Theories of Argumentation and Deliberation (3)
COMS 435 Rhetoric of Women (3)
COMS 442 Rhetoric of Peace and Conflict (3)
COMS 444 Political Rhetoric (3)
COMS 448 Rhetoric of Extraordinary Claim (3)

c. Communication Theory

(COMS 351 is a prerequisite for all courses in this band.)

Select 3 units from the following courses:

COMS 320 Communicative Functions of Language (3)
COMS 350 Nonverbal Communication (3)
COMS 431 Persuasion (3)
COMS 451 Advanced Interpersonal Communication (3)
COMS 453 Organizational Communication (3)

3. Community Involvement Requirement (3 units)

Select 3 units from the following courses:

COMS 323 Group Communication (3)
COMS 400C Directing Oral Performance (3)
COMS 410 Community-Based Performance (3)
COMS 437 Communication for Youth Institute (3)
COMS 452 Communication Training and Development (3)
COMS 494/L Internship in Communication Studies and Lab (1/2)

4. Major Electives (15 units)

Select an additional 15 units of upper division courses in Communication Studies. These units may come from the courses listed above, as well as those listed below.

COMS 309 Advanced Public Speaking (3)
COMS 312 Health Communication (3)
COMS 315 Communication and Agency (3)
COMS 325 Legal Argumentation (3)
COMS 360 Communication, Gender, and Culture (3)
COMS 395 Forensics (1)
COMS 399 Performance Ensemble (1)
COMS 406 Performance Composition (3)
COMS 420 Language and Symbolic Processes (3)
COMS 428 Freedom of Speech (3)
COMS 436 Communication and Food (3)
COMS 443 Rhetoric of Business (3)
COMS 446 Rhetoric of Crime and Punishment (3)
COMS 464 Digital Culture (3)

5. General Education (48 units)

Undergraduate students must complete 48 units of General Education as described in this Catalog, including 3 units of coursework meeting the Ethnic Studies (ES) graduation requirement.

3 units are satisfied by the following course in the major: COMS 356 satisfies 3 units of F Comparative Cultural Studies and fulfills the Information Competence requirement.

If taken, COMS 309 satisfies Basic Skills, A1 Oral Communication; COMS 323 satisfies 3 units of D1 Social Sciences or E Lifelong Learning; and COMS 360 satisfies E Lifelong Learning or 3 units of F Comparative Cultural Studies.

Total Units in the Major: 45

General Education Units: 45

Additional Units: 30

Total Units Required for the B.A. Degree: 120