Communication Studies
8 courses · Allan Hancock College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026 · Winter 2027 · Spring 2027
COMM 100 Survey of Communication Studies
- Units
- 3
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 180
This course provides a foundational introduction to communication studies. Students will explore key communication theories, effective public speaking techniques—both informative and persuasive— and the principles of rhetoric. The course equips students to articulate ideas clearly across diverse contexts and audiences. Students will critically evaluate historical and contemporary speeches while practicing ethical communication to enhance awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Per CalGETC standards, this course is taught in English.
COMM 102 Small Group Communication
- Units
- 3
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 140
Provides an introduction to effective public speaking in a democratic society and an overview of group communication theory. Students will learn how to research, organize, outline, and effectively deliver faculty-supervised, faculty-evaluated oral presentations to a live audience. Through practice and research, students will explore concepts of group dynamics, leadership, decision-making, verbal/nonverbal communication, and conflict management. The course is not open to students who received credit for SPCH 102. As per CalGETC requirements, this course is taught in English.
COMM 106 Critical Thinking through Argumentation
- Units
- 3
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- COMM C1000, or COMM 100, or SPCH 101
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 120
This course focuses on methods of critical inquiry and advocacy. It provides instruction in critical thinking, logical reasoning (including types of reasoning and fallacies in reasoning), the use of language, argument structure and strategies, evaluation of evidence, and structured analysis of diverse texts. Students will compose, present, and evaluate oral and written arguments. Students will develop, evaluate, and refine their argumentative writing through a sequence of essays and assignments with a minimum of 5,000 words/semester. This course is not open to students who have completed SPCH 106.
COMM 108 Oral Interpretation
- Units
- 3
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 170
Through theory and practice, students will discover and communicate the intellectual, emotional, and aesthetic meaning of literature by choosing, analyzing, rehearsing, and orally presenting short selections of prose, poetry, and drama. The course is not open to students who received credit for SPCH 108.
COMM 110 Intercultural Communication
- Units
- 3
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 150
This course provides a comprehensive exploration of intercultural communication within the context of the social and behavioral sciences. It focuses on how human behavior, societal structures, and communication are shaped by culture, perception, and identity. Through theoretical frameworks and empirical research, students will critically examine communication dynamics across diverse cultural groups, assess the socio-psychological impacts of culture on communication and analyze the historical and contemporary factors influencing intercultural relations. This course is not open to students who have received credit for SPCH 110.
COMM 189 Independent Projects
- Units
- 1-3
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- N/A
Courses for students capable of independent work who demonstrate the need or desire for additional study beyond the regular curriculum. Enrollment allows students to pursue activities such as directed field experience, research, or development of skills and competencies under faculty advisement and supervision. Independent projects may be earned in most disciplines. Students wishing to enroll in Independent Projects should contact the appropriate Academic Dean, or an instructor identified in the class schedule. If the project proposed is acceptable to that instructor, a contract will be developed. All contracts for these classes must be completed and approved by the appropriate dean before the last day of enrollment. Units are awarded depending upon satisfactory performance and the amount of time committed by the student to the course. Allowable units vary according to discipline, and are based on the following formula: 1 unit - 48 hours per semester 2 units - 96 hours per semester 3 units - 144 hours per semester. The course is not open to students who received the maximum credit for SPCH 189.
COMM C1000 Introduction to Public Speaking
- Units
- 3
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 110
In this course, students learn and apply foundational rhetorical theories and techniques of public speaking in a multicultural democratic society. Students discover, develop, and critically analyze ideas in public discourse through research, reasoning, organization, composition, delivery to a live audience and evaluation of various types of speeches, including informative and persuasive speeches. The course is not open to students who received credit for SPCH 101 or COMM 101. Per CalGETC requirements, this course is taught in English.
COMM C1004 Interpersonal Communication
- Units
- 3
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 130
This course covers theory, research, and application of ethical one-to-one communication practices in various and diverse interpersonal relationships in personal, professional, and social situations. This course is not open to students who have received credit for SPCH 103 or COMM 103.