# Communication Studies (COMS) courses

San Diego Miramar College · 2026-2027 Catalog · 6 courses

Source: https://sdccd.curriqunet.com/catalog/iq/20814/20885/20887/20815/20836

"Offered" lists sections in this catalog year's class schedules: Fall 2026, Spring 2027.

### COMS 104 — Advanced Public Communication

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 48 - 54 hours lecture
- **Prerequisite:** COMM C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
- **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/san-diego-miramar-college/schedule/spring-2027/coms.md)
- Limitation on Enrollment: This course is not open to students with previous credit for SPEE 104
- Grading: Letter Grade Only

This course covers theory, practice, and critical analysis of public communication, including speeches on subjects of current interest both local and global. It includes an introduction to the relationship between rhetorical theory and criticism and rhetorical practice in public communication. Special emphasis is placed on advanced platform speaking and limited preparation speaking. This course is designed for students majoring in communication studies or anyone interested in advancing fundamental speech skills.

### COMS 135 — Interpersonal Communication

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 48 - 54 hours lecture
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 6 sections (/c/san-diego-miramar-college/schedule/fall-2026/coms.md); Spring 2027, 5 sections (/c/san-diego-miramar-college/schedule/spring-2027/coms.md)
- Limitation on Enrollment: This course is not open to students with previous credit for SPEE 135
- Grading: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass

This course is a study of effective interpersonal skill development and practice in oral and written communication. Emphasis is placed on the personal, situational, and cultural influences of interaction. Topics include human perception, interpersonal dynamics, listening, conflict management, and verbal and nonverbal symbol systems. The course is intended for students who communicate in one-on-one situations, including communication, fashion, allied health, public service, and business majors as well as those interested in further development of effective interpersonal skills in work, volunteer, and personal environments.

### COMS 160 — Argumentation and Critical Thinking

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 48 - 54 hours lecture
- **Prerequisite:** ENGL C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent or ENGL 105 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
- **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/san-diego-miramar-college/schedule/spring-2027/coms.md)
- Limitation on Enrollment: This course is not open to students with previous credit for SPEE 160
- Grading: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass

This course is a study of argumentation and development of critical thinking through the rhetorical tradition. Emphasis is placed on research, analysis of propositions, testing of evidence, and development of constructive and refutation cases through the writing and revision of a sequence of critical compositions as a foundation for oral debate. Students locate, evaluate, and integrate outside sources into their writing assignments, which total at least 6,000 words for the semester. This course is designed for communication studies majors and anyone interested in argumentation and the development of critical thinking skills through composition and spoken discourse.

### COMS 170 — Small Group Communication

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 48 - 54 hours lecture
- **Advisory:** COMM C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/san-diego-miramar-college/schedule/fall-2026/coms.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/san-diego-miramar-college/schedule/spring-2027/coms.md)
- Limitation on Enrollment: This course is not open to students with previous credit for SPEE 170
- Grading: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass

This course is a study of the concepts and theories related to group formation and development, and basic group communication dynamics. Students lead and participate in various forms of group discussion and activities. This course is designed for communication studies and business majors as well as for anyone interested in working effectively in small group settings.

### COMS 180 — Intercultural Communication

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 48 - 54 hours lecture
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/san-diego-miramar-college/schedule/fall-2026/coms.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/san-diego-miramar-college/schedule/spring-2027/coms.md)
- Limitation on Enrollment: This course is not open to students with previous credit for SPEE 180
- Grading: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass

This course is a study of communication between members of diverse cultures. This study includes how cultures, cultural identity, languages, and social patterns affect communication between ethnic and cultural groups. Topics include interdependency in global society, verbal and nonverbal language systems, conflict styles, and contextual cultural implications. Students apply the principles of intercultural communication to contemporary cultural and global communication issues. This course is designed for communication majors and all students interested in developing intercultural communication skills.

### COMS 201 — Communication and Community

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 48 - 54 hours lecture
- **Prerequisite:** COMM C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
- **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/san-diego-miramar-college/schedule/spring-2027/coms.md)
- Grading: Letter Grade Only

This course is an overview of the academic discipline of Communication Studies, including its history, methods, processes, contexts, and fields of study. Other topics include basic models of communication, communication-related career fields, and health communication. This course is intended for Communication Studies majors or prospective majors.