Communication
Associate of Arts (AA): Applied Communication Emphasis Communication · Santa Barbara City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Overview
Whatever their age, social position, or occupation, people communicate. Humans spend more time engaged in speaking and listening than virtually any other activity. Communication is as important as it is pervasive—success or failure often depends on how well we express ourselves and understand others.
The Communication Department's curriculum focuses on communication in a variety of settings -- interpersonal, small group, on-the-job, speaker-to-audience, via mass media and between cultures and nations. In addition, instruction is available in argumentation and debate and communication theory. Surveys show that most employers rank effective communication at the top of desired skills.
The Applied Communication Emphasis provides students with the foundational knowledge in Communication Studies and its application in a variety of settings—interpersonal, small group, organizational, presentational speaking, mass media and intercultural.
Requirements
Associate Degree Graduation Requirements
Complete all of the following:
- All Major Requirements listed below with a “C” or better or “P” in each course (at least 20% of the major requirements must be completed through SBCC).
- One of the following General Education options:
- OPTION 1: SBCC General Education pattern OR
- OPTION 2: Cal-GETC pattern
- A minimum of 60 semester units of degree-applicable college credit (SBCC courses numbered 100 and higher and C1000 and higher).
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in degree-applicable coursework.
- A minimum of 12 units through SBCC.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| Required Core | ||
| COMM 141 | Small Group Communication | 3 |
| COMM 161 | Communication in Organizations | 3 |
| COMM C1000 | Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |
| orCOMM C1000H | Introduction to Public Speaking - Honors | |
| COMM C1004 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| orCOMM 121H | Interpersonal Communication, Honors | |
| List A - Complete two courses from the following: | 6-7 | |
| COMM 101 | Introduction to Communication | |
| COMM 151 | Intercultural Communication | |
| COMM 171 | Mass Media and Society | |
| COMM 180 | Oral Communication for Leadership and Social Change | |
| COMM 200 | Rhetoric of Pop Culture | |
| COMM 235 | Argumentation and Debate | |
| COMM 288 | Communication Research Methods | |
| JOUR 101 | Reporting/Writing I | |
| STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | |
| orPSY 150 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | |
| orSOC 125 | Introduction to Statistics in Sociology | |
| Total Units | 18.00-19.00 | |
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate ability to analyze and critically evaluate communication practices, messages and outcomes in various contexts (e.g., interpersonal, intercultural, small group, public and professional communication, and mass media).
- Develop a repertoire of strategies for improved communication effectiveness and demonstrate the strategies in oral, written and/or presentation contexts.
- Read, evaluate and report on communication research.
- Recognize and articulate the benefits and challenges of diverse communicative practices of people living in a global/multicultural society.
- Demonstrate understanding of the ethical dimensions of communication.
Recommended Sequence
Make an appointment with your SBCC academic counselor through Starfish to create a Student Education Plan that reflects a recommended course sequence for this program that is tailored to your individual needs.
How to schedule an Academic Counseling appointment.