Communication Studies
11 courses · San Jose City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
COMM C1000 Introduction to Public Speaking
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
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 course emphasizes the importance of audience engagement and ethical considerations in public speaking. Students will develop their skills through hands-on activities that involve crafting speeches and utilizing effective presentation aids. They will also explore the role of critical listening and credibility in communication, preparing them to deliver impactful messages across different contexts. This course was formerly known as COMS 020: Oral Communication or COMS 020: Public Speaking.
COMM C1000H Introduction to Public Speaking - Honors
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
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 course emphasizes the importance of audience engagement and ethical considerations in public speaking. Students will develop their skills through hands-on activities that involve crafting speeches and utilizing effective presentation aids. They will also explore the role of critical listening and credibility in communication, preparing them to deliver impactful messages across different contexts. This honors course emphasizes the importance of audience engagement and ethical considerations in public speaking. Students will develop their skills through hands-on activities that involve crafting speeches and utilizing effective presentation aids. They will also explore the role of critical listening and credibility in communication, preparing them to deliver impactful messages across different contexts. The honors course provides advanced students with an enriched experience through activities that allow them to apply their in-depth examination of speeches, academic research, higher-level critical thinking skills, and create high-quality individual and group projects.
COMS 010 Interpersonal Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Advisory
- Prior completion of ENGL C1000
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 130
Students will study principles of verbal and nonverbal transactions that occur in relationships. The course includes the study of theory and research findings and their application to communication in interpersonal relationships in personal and professional contexts.
COMS 018 Introduction to Communication Studies
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Advisory
- Prior completion of ENGL C1000 is highly recommended
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 180
Students examine the discipline of communication studies with emphasis on multiple epistemological, theoretical, and methodological issues relevant to the theoretical inquiry and pursuit of knowledge about human communication. Students explore the basic history, assumptions, principles, processes, methods, and specializations of human communication as an academic field of study.
COMS 035 Intercultural Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 150
Students will study intercultural communication in domestic and global contexts. They will examine the influence of cultures, languages, and social patterns on how members of groups relate among themselves and with members of different cultural groups. They will develop skills for appreciation and comparison of communication among diverse groups within the larger context of U.S.-American culture.
COMS 040 Argumentation and Debate
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 120
Students will gain a foundational understanding of rhetorical principles and communication theories that support the development and delivery of clear, engaging, informative and persuasive speeches across a variety of public speaking contexts. The course explores essential concepts such as Aristotle's modes of persuasion ethos, pathos, and logos as well as audience analysis, ethical speaking, critical listening, and effective verbal and nonverbal communication strategies. Emphasis is placed on using credible evidence, logical reasoning, and well-structured messages to inform, influence, and connect with diverse audiences in live speaking situations.
COMS 045 Small Group Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 140
Students will develop skills in effective communication through both individual and group presentations. This course introduces the foundational principles and practical techniques of public speaking, guiding students in crafting and delivering clear, engaging, informative, and persuasive messages across diverse settings. Emphasis is placed on the use of rhetorical strategies, including the canons of rhetoric and Aristotelian appeals of pathos, ethos, and logos to enhance the impact and credibility of their presentations.
COMS 050 New Media Today
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 2, Lab Hours: 2
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students will be able to describe and explain the use of each "new" medium and design a multimedia presentation using one of the "new" media formats that major companies use today to provide information. This course introduces students to identifying today's "new" media, such as music streaming, social media applications, and podcasting. Students will learn multimedia hands-on skills that will be applied to the mass media industry.
COMS 098 Directed Study in Communication Studies
- Units
- 0.5-9
- Hours
- Lab Hours: 2.07
- Prerequisite
- COMS 010 or COMS 018 or COMM C1000 or COMS 035 or COMS 040 or COMS 045; all with C or better
- Transfers to
- CSU
Individual or small groups of students, with previous course work in the discipline, who would benefit from Independent Study under the direction of faculty members in specific or related disciplines, may develop individualized learning contracts designed to enhance their individual instructional programs. The students and the faculty member in consultation with the Division Dean will determine appropriate learning objectives and activities as well as the number of units to be earned. Instructions and the Learning Contract forms are available in the Division Office. Repeatable to a maximum of 9 units across all disciplines.
COMS 170 Introduction to Visual Communications
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Students will be introduced to the theories of visual communication using still images found in mass media. Students will analyze images in newspapers, advertising, television, magazines, billboards, films, and videos to interpret messages. Discussion and demonstration of the tools used in analyzing visual communication as well as creation and analysis of images for print, Web, and video are included in this course. Students will design their visual imagery and create sound to help tell a story and enhance the image's impact.
COMS 190 Introduction to Persuasion
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Advisory
- COMM C1000 or ENGL C1000
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 190
Students will examine historical and contemporary approaches to persuasive messages throughout time. They will focus on the presentation of persuasive appeals while learning to construct, deliver, and critique persuasive messages. Students will be introduced to inductive and deductive reasoning processes to establish logical conclusions. They will identify formal and informal fallacies of language and thought in order to develop the ability to distinguish matters of factual evidence from opinion or judgment. Students will confidently and ethically present persuasive appeals in front of live audiences.