Communication - COMM
12 courses · Bakersfield College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
COMM B2 Interpersonal Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 130
This course provides an introduction to the dynamics of communication integrated with theory and research. Students will examine one-to-one relationships, focusing on experience, behavior, and rules governing interpersonal contexts such as friendship, families, and employer-employee relations. Students will study factors influencing communication such as language, perception, nonverbal cues, listening, status and roles. Students will explore problems of communication and conflict resolution, and study assertiveness and confidence in relating interpersonally through the communication process.
COMM B4 Persuasive Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 190
In this course, students will examine historical and contemporary principles and practices of persuasive public speaking for successfully communicating informative and persuasive messages within various communication settings. The course emphasizes the delivery of research-based presentations, analyzing persuasive appeals, exploring foundational knowledge in speaking, and learning to construct, deliver, and critique persuasive messages for specific audiences. Speeches will be presented in front of a live audience (one to many) and will be faculty-supervised and faculty-graded.
COMM B5 Argumentation and Debate
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 120
Theoretical and practical aspects of argumentation and public debating to develop students' critical thinking abilities. Emphasis is on composition, presentation, and evaluation of speeches in argumentative, debate, and advocacy contexts. Identification of public issues, research and organization of evidence, building sound and effective arguments, and facility with debate formats are the primary learning outcomes of this course. Introduces logical reasoning and builds competence with formal reasoning before applying those to argumentation and debate about public issues.
COMM B6 Intercultural Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 150
Introduction to intercultural communication in domestic and/or global contexts. Influence of cultures, languages, and social patterns on how members of groups relate among themselves and with members of different ethnic and cultural groups. Theory and knowledge of effective communication within and between cultures. Appreciation and comparison of communication among diverse groups within the larger context of American culture. Practical application of skills will be highlighted. Note: Not open to students that have successfully completed ETHN B6.
COMM B7 Organizational Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
In this course, students will take a global look at communication in an organizational setting. Some of the topics to be studied include; theory and practice of communication in private and public organizations, interpersonal and group communication patterns within organizations, systems of ethical internal and external communication, leadership in the organization, organizational culture's impact on communication, and the role of communication in achieving organizational goals.
COMM B8 Small Group Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 140
In this course, students will learn small group presenting and communication. This course explores the foundational knowledge and practice of public speaking for successfully communicating informative and persuasive messages within the small group context. Students will be introduced to the theories, techniques, and methods of small group communication. This course develops speaking, participation, and leadership skills of effective communicators within the small group setting while providing applied practice through faculty supervised and evaluated oral group presentations delivered to a live audience, through group activities, and through project group work.
COMM B9 Health Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
Course introduces student to the theory and practice of health communication in dyadic, small group, organizational, and mass media contexts. Students examine topics such as provider-client communication, the influence of diversity and culture on health communication, and the role that the mass media plays in disseminating health information. Selected topics and theories of human communication are directly applied to communication situations in health care settings through the use of case studies. Emphasis is on understanding and improving health communication among health professionals, between health professionals and clients, and with the general public.
COMM B10 Leadership and Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course presents theories of communication, leadership and followership as they explore the essential role communication plays in leadership at all levels. The course emphasizes the study of communication skills that are central to performing successfully as a leader in a variety of contexts including organizational, familial, team and public settings. Specific attention is given to self-assessment of leadership and communication skills, self-reflection, and creation of a personal leadership communication plan. Note: Not open to students who have successfully completed COMM B49 or COMM B49B.
COMM B11 Skills for Online Presentation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- 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, and evaluation of various types of speeches. Students will develop, write, and present various speeches including research-based informative and persuasive speeches to a live audience using online conferencing software.
COMM B15 Argumentation and Rhetoric
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Prerequisite
- Successful completion of ENGL C1000 (formally ENGL B1A) or ENGL (C-ID ENGL 100) or equivalent with a grade of C or better. OR ENGLB 1AL (Expository Comp w/Suppl Instr): Successful completion of ENGL C1000E (formally ENGL B1A) or ENGL (C-ID ENGL 100) or equivalent with a grade of C or better.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 120
Emphasis on both oral and written argumentation to develop critical thinking skills. Oral argumentation focuses on the principles of logical reasoning and then applies these principles to public policy debates. Written argumentation focuses on the principles of rhetorical analysis and then applies these principles to speeches, debates, and essays. Students will apply research, documentation, critical analysis, and synthesis while constructing and evaluating oral and written arguments.
COMM B21 Oral Interpretation of Literature
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Prerequisite
- Eligibility for college-level composition as determined by college placement or other appropriate method.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 170
In this course, students will develop a theoretical and practical understanding of oral interpretation of literature. Students will learn to select, read, analyze, apply, edit, and interpret culturally diverse literature within the genres of poetry, prose, and drama. Emphasis is on the effective interpretation, communication through written works, evaluation and performance selections of literature for an audience.
COMM C1000 Introduction to Public Speaking
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- 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. Part 2 Note: Not open to students that have successfully completed COMM B1.