Communication Studies

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

• apply rhetorical theories to create and analyze public speeches in a variety of contexts including historical and/or contemporary. (CCN)
• formulate and implement effective research strategies to gather information and ideas from primary and secondary sources, evaluating them for credibility, accuracy, and relevancy. (CCN)
• employ sound reasoning and construct compelling arguments in support of a guiding thesis and organizational pattern appropriate for the audience, occasion, and purpose. (CCN)
• demonstrate rhetorical sensitivity to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging and adhere to ethical communication practices which include truthfulness, accuracy, honesty, and reason. (CCN)
• compose and deliver a variety of speeches, including Informative and Persuasive speeches, to a live audience (one to many) using effective delivery practices. (CCN)
• employ effective listening practices. (CCN)
• Employ effective verbal and nonverbal practices while producing massages extemporaneously.
• Apply rhetorical principles to analyze public discourse across a variety of contexts.

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

• identify historical and theoretical foundations in the field of oral interpretation.
• illustrate the importance of narration and dialogue through the performance of unified, coherent and thematically driven literary scripts.
• Perform a variety of verbal and nonverbal skills to bring the literature to life and heighten the effectiveness of the performer’s message
• Edit literature for live performance using techniques that focus on unity of time, place, action, mood and character.
• Research and construct individual and/or group oral performances for various live audiences.

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

• apply the principles of critical inquiry, logic and sound reasoning to argumentative writing and speaking.
• analyze issues from diverse perspectives, respecting the nature of controversy, to communicate confidently and responsibly about global, cultural, and social issues.
• formulate strategies of writing and presenting a progression of arguments, both written and oral, demonstrating increasingly complex development, critical thought and advocacy.
• develop a sound and robust research process to evaluate source evidence for constructing informed, ethical arguments.
• differentiate between the nature and function of argument in various communication contexts.
• detect fallacies in reasoning as they occur in written, oral and visual text.

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

• critique persuasive strategies as they exist in a variety of contexts (e.g., public speaking, advertising, politics, media), including use in propaganda and subliminal techniques.
• differentiate between ethical persuasion and unethical means of influence such as manipulation, coercion, and propaganda.
• analyze persuasive messages, including identifying and explaining the persuasive components or strategies used to effect change.
• distinguish between inductive and deductive reasoning and identify fallacious arguments as they occur in persuasive communication.
• evaluate and determine criteria for the development of successful persuasive campaigns.
• construct and deliver ethical persuasive messages directed toward a defined audience.
• apply ethical criteria to persuasive appeals (e.g., legal, religious, political, human nature, situational, dialogical).

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

• assess communication models, elements and concepts used to study interpersonal relationships.
• demonstrate comprehension of ethical interpersonal communication founded on communication theory and research.
• describe ways that communication creates, develops and changes self concept and personal identities including variables such as culture, gender, ethnicity, race, age and ability.
• identify the process of human perception and its influence on interpersonal communication.
• compare and contrast strengths and weaknesses of verbal and nonverbal communication in a social environment.
• recognize and evaluate listening behaviors in personal and professional contexts.
• identify and evaluate power and conflict management styles with the goal of resolution.
• evaluate physical, social, and psychological benefits of emotion expression.

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

• identify the components of culture and communication, including cultural values, the deep structures of culture, and communication behaviors that are affected by cultural differences.
• recognize and explain commonly accepted taxonomies for describing cultural variability, communication styles, and cultural influence upon verbal and nonverbal language usage.
• compare and choose socially appropriate behaviors in specific intercultural situations requiring behavioral flexibility, tolerance for ambiguity, social relaxation.
• demonstrate an understanding of the basic skills for communicating with people from different cultures and recognize barriers to effective intercultural competencies, such as stereotyping, racism, prejudice, and ethnocentrism.
• demonstrate an understanding of the patterns of information exchange among major global regions and the role of governments.
• identify major contributions from the fields of social and behavioral science and apply these findings to the study of intercultural communication.

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

• differentiate small group from other communication contexts by definition, characteristics, and theoretical perspectives.
• identify the phases of group development including the establishment of group norms and roles.
• articulate the role and influence of diversity on small group communication and problem-solving.
• design and deliver effective verbal and non-verbal messages utilizing both informative and persuasive group and individual presentation formats.
• critique and model active listening and appropriate feedback to create and maintain positive group climates.
• recognize and apply ethical standards to conflict management, group problem-solving and decision making, including the discovery and evaluation of research used in the support of a proposition.
• assess the value of leadership in groups utilizing a variety of theoretical approaches to leadership styles, ethical behavior and power dynamics.

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

• analyze various organizational communication networks using a variety of theoretical perspectives.
• assess the influences of globalization, cultural diversity, and outsourcing on an organization's culture and communication climate.
• implement and analyze conflict management strategies.
• recognize and evaluate effective team-building strategies.
• compose ideas clearly in effective, appropriate and well-organized written messages.
• compare and evaluate the various theoretical perspectives of leadership.
• identify, describe, and demonstrate communication strategies that will increase communication competence and effectiveness in an organizational setting.

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

• evaluate the role, power, and influence of the mass media.
• recognize the influence and role of technology in affecting mass media content and the impact it has on society
• develop critical thinking skills to analyze media’s influence.
• identify the major mass media and explain the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press.
• understand the development/history of mass media in the United States.
• describe the roles of the mass media in society and society's relationship with the media.
• demonstrate a general understanding of the legal responsibilities of the mass media, including areas of libel, privacy, pornography, copyright and freedom of information.
• understand global media trends.

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

• identify and apply a variety of theories relative to interpersonal, small group, and public communication, including the Aristotelian modes of proof as well as the rhetorical canons.
• utilize verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to increase effectiveness in interpersonal relationships, group interactions and public presentations.
• demonstrate effective listening skills to comprehend spoken messages, analyze information critically and consider multiple perspectives.
• develop critical listening skills to provide constructive criticism to peers.
• assess the impact of public speaking on various aspects of democratic, pluralistic societies.
• critically analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of historical and contemporary public discourse.
• construct and deliver informative and persuasive speeches, utilizing rhetorical strategies to ensure ethical communication and appropriate audience adaptation while utilizing and appropriately documenting research from various sources.
• apply ethical standards to research and advocacy, including truthfulness, accuracy, honesty, and reason.
• distinguish between primary and secondary sources.
• Develop, through research and critical evaluation, compelling arguments in support of a guiding thesis and organizational pattern appropriate for the audience, occasion, and speaking context.

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

• discuss the history of the study of human communication.
• explain and apply the basic concepts of the field of communication.
• demonstrate a basic knowledge of the specializations comprising the communication discipline.
• analyze human communication as a process according to theories which vary from one communication context to another.
• compare and contrast the basic research methods for the evaluation of human communication phenomena.
• critically discuss and write about human communication theories and events.
• demonstrate an understanding of ethical perspectives in communication.

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

• apply industry knowledge and theoretical concepts in a field of study or career as written in the minimum 3 learning objectives created by the student and the employer or work site supervisor at the start of the course.
• manage personal career plans and decision making using industry & workforce information and online resources.
• behave professionally and ethically, exhibit adaptability, initiative, self-awareness and self-management as needed.
• exhibit effective communication, collaboration, and leadership skills at work with consideration to workplace dynamics and social and diversity awareness.
• demonstrate critical and creative thinking skills as they apply to the workplace.