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Speech Communication

Program Overview Degrees / Certificates Courses Faculty

Students making presentation in classroom

The number-one skill identified by employers is the ability to communicate clearly in both oral and written form. The number-two skill identified by employers is the ability to work effectively as a member of a group or team. Speech courses are vital to developing the communication skills necessary for personal and professional success.

Speech Communication courses offer instruction and practice in a variety of communication settings. The program includes theory and practice in public speaking, group work, and interpersonal relationships. Critical thinking, listening, and communicating across cultures are also part of the program.

Human Resource officers again and again claim the top skills they are seeking in employees are the ability to communicate in spoken and written form, plus the ability to be an effective team member. Speech communication courses are essential for personal and professional growth.

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Division Dean Diana Hicks
Department Chair David Austin
Area of Interest Language and Communication

Humanities Division Office
Phone (916) 484-8653

Associate Degree for Transfer

A.A.-T. in Communication Studies

This degree provides a foundation for students to transfer to a CSU campus with a major in Communication, Speech Communication, Communications, or Communication Studies.

The Associate in Arts degree in Communication Studies for Transfer provides students with a major that fulfills the general requirements of the California State University for transfer. Students with this degree will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University system.

The Associate in Arts degree in Communication Studies for Transfer (A.A.-T.) may be obtained by the completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA, including (a) the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program outlined below (earning a C or better in these courses), and (b) either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education‐Breadth Requirements.

Catalog Date: June 1, 2020

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
SPEECH 301	Public Speaking	3
A minimum of 6 units from the following:		6
SPEECH 311	Argumentation and Debate (3)
SPEECH 321	Interpersonal Communication (3)
SPEECH 331	Group Discussion (3)
A minimum of 6 units from the following:		6
SPEECH 302	Persuasive Speech (3)
SPEECH 325	Intercultural Communication (3)
SPEECH 361	The Communication Experience (3)
JOUR 310	Mass Media and Society (3)
A minimum of 3 units from the following:		3¹
ANTH 310	Cultural Anthropology (3)
ENGWR 302	Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
ENGWR 482	Honors Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
JOUR 300	Newswriting and Reporting (3)
PSYC 300	General Principles (3)
SOC 300	Introductory Sociology (3)
Total Units:		18

¹or any course not used previously

The Associate in Arts in Communication Studies for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum 2.0 GPA, including (a) the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education-Breadth Requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

assess the factors which contribute to communication competency.
generate strategies to communicate effectively with others in dyads, groups, and public situations.
evaluate the role of communication in human interactions.
analyze evidence, reasoning, and persuasive appeals for credibility, logic, and relevance.
demonstrate skills and behaviors which contribute to open and respectful communication of diverse ideas and beliefs.

Career Information

A primary skill employers in all fields seek is effective communication. A degree in Communication Studies enriches personal development and enhances opportunities for employment and promotion in such diverse professional fields as education, law, law enforcement, health, science, management, organizational development, psychology, public service, sales, training, entertainment, and social services.

Speech (SPEECH)

SPEECH 301 Public Speaking

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area II(b); CSU Area A1; IGETC Area 1C
C-ID:C-ID COMM 110
Catalog Date:June 1, 2020

This course covers oral composition and delivery of messages in public speaking situations. It focuses on how to manage anxieties about speaking in public, organize ideas when speaking to inform and persuade, use supporting materials to increase the effectiveness of messages, appeal to different audiences, and critically evaluate messages. By the end of the course, students will be more confident and effective in oral communication situations. Audio/video recording equipment may be used as an aid to self-analysis and improvement.