Communication Studies
15 courses · Antelope Valley College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Winter 2027 · Spring 2027
COMM 105 Introduction to Mass Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000H.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- JOUR 100
This course provides a survey of the growth and development of mass media in America from historical and analytical perspectives. The course summarizes the principles of the mass communication process and illustrates how that process affects the average consumer of the media. Students will be exposed to mass media problems of the past and present as well as the trends shaping the 21st century. Areas of study include: book & magazine publishing, photojournalism, newspapers, radio, recorded music, film, television, online media, advertising, public relations, ethics and law.
COMM 107 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
- Advisory
- Eligibility for ENGL 101 or placement by multiple measures.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 130
The study of interpersonal communication principles and theories. The course will emphasize communication in family, friendship, romantic, and workplace relationships. Focus will be on improving interpersonal competence.
COMM 109 Small Group Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000H.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 140
This course is designed to develop effective communication and leadership skills by exploring techniques for productive group discussion. Students will participate in group role playing, problem solving, decision making, projects, and panel discussions. Methods for creating positive communication climates and dealing with group conflict will also be examined.
COMM 110 Persuasion
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 190
This course provides an understanding of historical and contemporary theories of persuasion in media, interpersonal, intercultural, political, group, organizational, and public communication contexts. It also examines the ethics of persuasion and how to prepare, present, and evaluate persuasive messages.
COMM 112 Oral Interpretation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000H.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 170
A course in theory and practice of effective oral presentations. Training in selection, editing, and analysis of various genres of literature. Techniques of physical and oral expression.
COMM 114 Art of Storytelling
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000H.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a study of the history, theory, and practice of the oral art of storytelling. The historical and current practice of the oral tradition will be covered using a multicultural approach. Students will find, prepare, and perform stories from a variety of cultures (e.g. African American, Native American, Euro American, African, South American, etc.), as well as different genres of storytelling literature.
COMM 115 Introduction to Argumentation and Debate
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
- Advisory
- Eligibility for ENGL C1000 or placement by multiple measures.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 120
The special skills of critical thinking and reasoning are an important part of daily reactions to what we hear, think and read. This course is designed to enable students to create valid and well-supported arguments; to understand and improve their own reasoning processes; and to effectively critique the arguments presented by others. This course teaches formal debating skills as well as informal strategies for advocating and arguing positions.
COMM 116 Forensics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
- Advisory
- COMM C1000, COMM C1000H or COMM 112 and ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000H.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 160B
A course in competitive public speaking. Students may choose to compete in oral interpretation or platform speaking events at intercollegiate speech tournaments.
COMM 199 Work Experience Education
- Units
- 1-8
- Hours
- 432 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students must also attend a scheduled orientation or meet individually with the supervising instructor for an individual orientation. Work Experience Education is supervised employment designed to provide students a realistic learning experience through work. The ultimate goal is to teach students skills and attitudes that will equip them to function and adapt as an employee in a variety of situations and jobs. Work Experience Education is supervised employment extending classroom-based occupational learning in an on-the-job learning situation related to the students' educational major or occupational goal. Credit may be accrued at the rate of one to eight units per semester.
COMM 201 Virtual Communication and Expressive Technology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course applies theories of oral communication and creative expression by examining the impacts of virtual communication technologies on the development of human societies and individual identities. Computer-mediated and other virtual communication environments are critically evaluated through the development and delivery of oral/live presentations, including informative and persuasive speeches. The rise of individual creative expression through virtual media (e.g., digital storytelling tools used across social media, animated camera filters, interactive and immersive videogaming, etc.) is analyzed in relation to historic technological advancements overlapping with radical changes in society. From social media features to immersive extended reality (XR) technologies, diverse and imaginative examples of expressive digital production and consumption are critiqued in the contexts of popular- and counter-culture, global and civic life, and free and creative expression.
COMM 215 Public Relations Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
- Prerequisite
- Completion of ENGL C1000 (ENGL 101).
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course introduces students to an understanding of theory-based communication concepts and their application in public relations. It focuses on effective dissemination techniques across media. Students will explore the role of public relations in building and maintaining relationships with various publics/stakeholders, including business, education, public agencies, and other entities. The course emphasizes strategies for crafting public opinion, engaging in symmetrical communication, and managing crises in adverse situations. This course is designed for students seeking to develop real-world public communication skills.
COMM 217 Gender and Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
- Prerequisite
- Completion of ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000H.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Students will examine gendered patterns of communication and how society, media, and culture influence us in our relationships in a variety of contexts. The course will analyze historical movements of gendered identities such as feminism and LGBTQ rights, and how verbal and nonverbal communication define and challenge gender roles.
COMM 219 Introduction to Intercultural Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
- Prerequisite
- Completion of ENGL C1000 (ENGL 101).
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 150
Intercultural communication concepts and theories will be examined to understand how culture influences our identities; and how we communicate in interpersonal, group, professional, local, global, and virtual settings. Students will learn to actively and creatively address intercultural conflict and ethical cross-cultural communication in a variety of situations and contexts.
COMM C1000 Introduction to Public Speaking
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
- Formerly
- COMM 101
- 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.
COMM C1000H Introduction to Public Speaking - Honors
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
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. This is an honors course. The honors course provides more content and requires greater intensity and depth of study than the non-honors class. Formerly COMM 101H (UC, CSU, AVC) Note: Students may take either COMM C1000 Introduction to Public Speaking or COMM C1000H Introduction to Public Speaking - Honors. Duplicate credit will not be awarded. This honors course is intended for students in the Honors Transfer Program.