Communication Studies
7 courses · Butte College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
CMST 4 Small Group Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 140
This course provides students with the foundational knowledge and practice of speech making in a democratic society, while simultaneously emphasizing theory and research about communication in a variety of small group contexts. This course exposes students to rhetorical theory, small group theory and public speaking fundamentals within the context of their interpersonal interactions, group communication processes, and live presentations (including informative and persuasive speeches). Students will learn historical roots and key rhetorical theories that ground the study and practice of public speaking, and be able to discover, develop and critically analyze ideas and information in public discourse. Students will also explore and evaluate group communication processes, including problem-solving, conflict management, decision-making and leadership. (C-ID COMM 140).
CMST 6 Oral Interpretation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 170
This course covers the study and practice of oral skills essential for effective communication of the intellectual and emotional meaning of a literary selection or manuscript to an audience. It introduces students to performance studies including analysis, appreciation, and application of theories of interpretative performance of various forms of literature, such as poetry, prose, and drama (plays, scripts, and screenplays). Students will demonstrate an understanding of what constitutes good literature, in terms of its philosophical, historical, literary, and cultural importance. Student analysis and interpretation will involve identifying a text's premises and assumptions in various social, historical, cultural, psychological, or aesthetic contexts. (C-ID COMM 170).
CMST 9 Intercultural Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 150
This course provides an introduction to intercultural communication in domestic and/or global contexts. Students will develop knowledge, attitudes, and skills to become more effective intercultural communicators. Students will explore the influence of cultures, languages, and social patterns on how members of groups relate among themselves and with members of different ethnic and cultural groups. The course also focuses on the theory and knowledge of effective communication within and between cultures, as well as the appreciation and comparison of communication among diverse groups within the larger context of American culture. (C-ID COMM 150).
CMST 12 Forensics (Speech and Debate)
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 25.5 hours lecture, 76.5 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- COMM 160B
This course prepares students for intercollegiate speech and debate tournaments and/or community events. Preparation includes practice, research, writing and participation in a variety of public presentations and intercollegiate speech and debate tournaments. Community events, as well as forensics events, such as debate, platform, limited preparation, oral interpretation, and readers' theatre are emphasized. This course may be repeated 3 times. (C-ID COMM 160B).
CMST 13 Gender and Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course introduces students to gender-related communication, integrating theory and practice in order to heighten awareness of the importance of gender as a communication variable. Emphasis on perception, verbal, nonverbal similarities and differences are examined in interpersonal, small group, and public settings.
CMST 14 Argumentation and Debate
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 120
This course emphasizes critical thinking, for purposes of constructing, evaluating and revising written essays in preparation for debate, grounded in the rhetorical foundations of argumentation. Students will employ argumentation theory and critical reasoning to draft and revise a sequence of argumentative essays based on inquiry-driven research, methods of analysis, evidence use, and ethical advocacy (minimum 5,000 words). This writing instruction will enable students to prepare persuasive cases that advance, defend and refute reasoned positions, which will also be delivered through debate and public address. (C-ID COMM 120).
CMST 95 Special Studies-CMST
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 51-153 hours independent study
- Prerequisite
- Permission of instructor
- Transfers to
- CSU
Supervised study in researching an area in the student's academic major. Any student interested in registering for a Special Studies course should contact a full-time instructor or chair/coordinator in the appropriate area no later than the last day of the tenth week of instruction. Students may not petition for a Special Studies course until they have completed satisfactorily 12 units of study at Butte College. 51-153 hours Independent Study. This course may be repeated to a maximum of 3.00 units to complete the entire curriculum of the course.