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Home Academics Programs and Majors Communication Studies

Communication Studies

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Associate Degrees for Transfer

A.A.-T. in Communication Studies 2.0

The AA for Transfer in Communication Studies prepares students for graduation from Cosumnes River College as well as transfer to a four-year university, including lower division preparation for the major. Courses required for the degree provide students with a practical and theoretical foundation in the discipline and offer a critical perspective on human communication in a various contexts. Students completing this program will explore the history and interdisciplinary nature of human communication, develop communication competency for a variety of contexts, compose and critically evaluate oral, written and visual messages for diverse audiences, construct and defend arguments in support of a thesis, as well as demonstrate individual responsibility and integrity in all communication interactions.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
COMM 301 Introduction to Public Speaking 3
COMM 321 Interpersonal Communication 3
Group A: Communication Studies:
A minimum of 9 units from the following: 91
COMM 311 Argumentation and Debate (3)
COMM 315 Persuasion (3)
COMM 325 Intercultural Communication (3)
COMM 331 Group Discussion (3)
COMM 363 Introduction to Communication Theory (3)
JOUR 310 Mass Media and Society (3)
   or RTVF 300 Mass Media and Society (3)
Group B: Communication and Other Disciplines:
A minimum of 3 units from the following: 32
ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology (3)
ENGWR 302 Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
JOUR 300 Newswriting and Reporting (3)
PSYC 300 General Principles (3)
SOC 300 Introductory Sociology (3)
JOUR 310 Mass Media and Society (3)
   or RTVF 300 Mass Media and Society (3)
COMM 311 Argumentation and Debate (3)
COMM 315 Persuasion (3)
COMM 325 Intercultural Communication (3)
COMM 331 Group Discussion (3)
COMM 341 Organizational Communication (3)
COMM 361 The Communication Experience (3)
COMM 363 Introduction to Communication Theory (3)
Total Units: 18

1If the JOUR 310 or RTVF 300 course is used to complete the Group A requirement, it is not eligible to satisfy the Group B requirement. JOUR 310 or RTVF 300 course(s) cannot be double counted for Group A and Group B.

2Any COMM course not used to complete the Group A requirement may be used to satisfy the Group B requirement. A COMM course cannot be double counted for Group A and Group B.

The Associate in Arts in Communication Studies 2.0 for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, including (a) a minimum grade of "C" (or "P") for each course in 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:

  • Design and relate messages clearly for effective and appropriate oral communication (PSLO-1).
  • Apply effective listening skills to comprehend spoken messages, analyze information critically and consider multiple perspectives (PSLO-2).
  • Compose ideas clearly in effective, appropriate and well-organized written messages (PSLO-3).
  • Assess individual responsibility within one's ability to influence ethical, effective and appropriate communication among diverse settings and people (PSLO-4).
  • Define and identify various theoretical perspectives across the discipline of communication studies (PSLO-5).

Career Information

Transfer: Courses offered by the Communication Department meet a wide range of lower division transfer requirements for CSU and UC universities. The department offers many courses designed to prepare students for transfer to a variety of disciplines including Business, Communication Studies, Criminal Justice, Education, Liberal Arts, Pre-Law, Mass Media, Management, Psychology, Sociology, and Social Work. Upon completion of a baccalaureate degree after transfer, students will gain opportunities for employment and promotion in fields including Public Information; Human Resources Development; Corporate Training; Motivational Speaking; Political Speech Writing; Radio & Television; Advertising; Public Relations; College & University Instruction; Organizational Administration; Negotiation & Mediation Services; Writing for Publication; Personnel Management; Customer Service; Social Science Research; Corporate Imaging; Campaign Management; Marketing; Community Relations; and Grant Writing. NOTE TO TRANSFER STUDENTS: The Associate Degree for Transfer program is designed for students who plan to transfer to a California State University (CSU) campus. Other than the required core, the courses you choose to complete this degree will depend to some extent on the selected CSU for transfer. In addition, some CSU-GE Breadth or IGETC requirements can also be completed using courses required for this associate degree for transfer major (known as “double-counting”). Meeting with a counselor to determine the most appropriate course choices will facilitate efficient completion of your transfer requirements. For students wishing to transfer to other universities (UC System, private, or out-of-state), the Associate Degree for Transfer may not provide adequate preparation for upper-division transfer admissions; it is critical that you meet with a CRC counselor to select and plan the courses for the major, as programs vary widely in terms of the required preparation. The Associate in Science in Communication Studies for Transfer is comprised of lower division coursework typically required by CSU institutions. Students must complete the following Associate Degree for Transfer requirements (Pursuant to SB1440, Padilla, 2010; and §66746): • 60 semester or 90 quarter CSU-transferable units • the California State University-General Education-Breadth pattern (CSU GE-Breadth); OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern • a minimum of 18 semester or 27 quarter units in the major or area of emphasis as determined by the community college district • obtain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 • earn a grade of C or better (or P for Pass/No Pass courses) in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis

Associate Degrees

A.A. in Communication, Organizational Communication

The role of communication in the workplace today has grown in importance, and workplace communication competencies are increasingly in demand. 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 as necessary is the ability to work effectively as a member of a team. A competitive workplace requires employees to exercise competence in interview skills, professional presentations, written communication, group problem solving, intercultural interactions, conflict management, and analytical reasoning. This transferable degree gives students a foundation that can be used in any career path, increasing one's preparation for employment and transferability to a university.



HIGHLIGHTS



*Transfer requirements simultaneously met while pursuing degree



*Many of the courses required for this degree can also be used to fulfill transfer general education requirements for the CSU system.



*Our courses are interdisciplinary in nature. Communication Studies offers students an opportunity to explore coursework in oral communication, critical thinking, social sciences, multicultural studies, and living skills.



*Students will find this background helpful and applicable to their everyday pursuits. Students intending to transfer to a university will have a solid base of courses that will interface with further, focused study in a major. For those wishing to pursue a university degree in the field of communication, degrees can be earned with emphasis in the following areas:



• Mass Media Studies

• Broadcast Electronic Communication Arts

• Organizational Communication

• Intercultural Communication

• Visual Communication

• Rhetoric

• Group Communication

• Interpersonal Communication



NOTE TO TRANSFER STUDENTS: If you are interested in transferring to a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in this major, it is critical that you meet with a CRC counselor to select and plan the courses for your major. Schools vary widely in terms of the required preparation. The courses that CRC requires for an Associate’s degree in this major may be different from the requirements needed for the Bachelor’s degree.



Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
Core Courses:
COMM 301 Introduction to Public Speaking 3
COMM 311 Argumentation and Debate 3
COMM 321 Interpersonal Communication 3
COMM 325 Intercultural Communication 3
COMM 331 Group Discussion 3
JOUR 310 Mass Media and Society (3) 3
   or RTVF 300 Mass Media and Society (3)
Communication in Organizations (6 units):
COMM 341 Organizational Communication 3
COMM 315 Persuasion (3) 31
   or BUS 330 Managing Diversity in the Workplace (3)
   or SGVT 315 Dynamics of Leadership (3)
Written Communication (6 units):
ENGWR 300 College Composition 3
ENGWR 302 Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3) 3
   or BUS 310 Business Communications (3)
   or JOUR 300 Newswriting and Reporting (3)
   or JOUR 301 Advanced Newswriting and Reporting (3)
Total Units: 30

1Or 3 units earned through any department approved internship - internships may be arranged through the CRC Co-op Work Experience program, and credit may be received by enrolling in COMM 498 or WEXP 498, Work Experience in Communication Studies.

The Communication, Organizational Communication Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See CRC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

  • Design and relate messages clearly for effective and appropriate oral communication (PSLO-1).
  • Apply effective listening skills to comprehend spoken messages, analyze information critically and consider multiple perspectives (PSLO-2).
  • Compose ideas clearly in effective, appropriate and well-organized written messages (PSLO-3).
  • Analyze and formulate critical thinking within the evidence and reasoning of spoken and written messages (PSLO-4).
  • Assess individual responsibility within one's ability to influence ethical, effective and appropriate communication among diverse settings and people (PSLO-5).
  • Define and identify various theoretical perspectives across the discipline of communication studies (PSLO-6).

Career Information

Public Information; Human Resources Development; Corporate Training; Motivational Speaking; Political Speech Writing; Radio & Television; Advertising; Public Relations; College & University Instruction; Organizational Administration; Negotiation & Mediation Services; Writing for Publication; Personnel Management; Customer Service; Social Science Research; Corporate Imaging; Campaign Management; Marketing; Community Relations; Grant Writing

Certificate of Achievement

Applied Communication Skills Certificate

This certificate program provides the communication skills necessary for entry-level positions in business, and helps improve managerial attributes with an emphasis on abilities to communicate effectively, efficiently and appropriately in organizational settings. Students with this certificate are prepared to design messages based on analysis of the intended audience and cultural context, apply effective listening skills, analyze persuasive messages, and demonstrate effective oral presentation skills. The certificate prepares students with the skills necessary to demonstrate proficiency in different communication settings by identifying and appraising factors that affect organizational communication structures in small group, interpersonal and intercultural settings.



Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
A minimum of 15 units from the following: 151
COMM 301 Introduction to Public Speaking (3)
COMM 311 Argumentation and Debate (3)
COMM 315 Persuasion (3)
COMM 321 Interpersonal Communication (3)
COMM 325 Intercultural Communication (3)
COMM 331 Group Discussion (3)
COMM 341 Organizational Communication (3)
COMM 361 The Communication Experience (3)
Total Units: 15

1It is recommended that one of the courses completed should meet the general education requirement of oral communication, which is either Communication 301, or 331, or 361.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

  • Design and relate messages clearly for effective and appropriate oral communication (SLO-1).
  • Apply effective listening skills to comprehend spoken messages, analyze information critically and consider multiple perspectives (SLO-2).
  • Compose ideas clearly in effective, appropriate and well-organized written messages (SLO-3).
  • Assess individual responsibility within one's ability to influence ethical, effective and appropriate communicate among diverse settings and people (SLO-4).

Career Information

Public Information; Human Resources Development; Corporate Training; Motivational Speaking; Political Speech Writing; Radio & Television; Advertising; Public Relations; College & University Instruction; Organizational Administration; Negotiation & Mediation Services; Writing for Publication; Personnel Management; Customer Service; Social Science Research; Corporate Imaging; Campaign Management; Marketing; Community Relations; Grant Writing Some careers may require more than two years of study.

Check Out Degree Planner

If you're interested in a transfer degree (AA-T or AS-T), then check out Degree Planner, a tool that helps you complete your degree efficiently by mapping out what courses to take and when to take them.

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