Communication

About the Department
Diane M. Blair, Ph.D., Interim Department Chair
Speech Arts Building, Room 15
559.278.2826

cah.fresnostate.edu/communication/

Our aim is to prepare students to understand and provide leadership in a diverse communication-oriented society. The program provides a comprehensive approach to the communication theories and skills people need to function effectively in education, business, law, nonprofit organizations, public service and administration, public relations, government, and management. Outside the workplace, these skills will also enhance students’ ability to be active in civic engagement and community service.

The goal of the Department of Communication’s undergraduate program is to develop, through culturally responsive, ethical, and inclusive approaches, students’ proficiencies in oral, written, and mediated communication skills and the application of theoretical knowledge and research methods to practical contexts.

Our program requires a comprehensive understanding of the breadth and depth of the communication discipline, as well as its major theoretical frameworks and research methodologies. The major and minor emphasize how this theoretical knowledge is applied in a range of communication contexts ranging from personal relationships to professional organizations to public advocacy. We offer a balance of instruction in communication studies, rhetoric and argumentation studies, and performance and cultural studies. Students investigate problems in diverse cultural settings, which make the San Joaquin Valley - with its tremendous ethnic diversity - an ideal location for study.

The Communication Skills for Professionals Certificate program recognizes development in such areas as presentational speaking, problem solving and decision making, and leadership.

Our program offers a variety of exciting activities to enrich students’ educational experience. We have a debate team that participates in competitive intercollegiate tournaments and hosts public debates on campus. Our annual Peach Blossom Festival brings more than 5,000 elementary-age students to campus to present prose and poetry. We also offer internships and other opportunities for community involvement and professional development.

Our major builds on a sound core of foundation courses and is completed by courses selected to meet your needs and career objectives. Students have an opportunity to explore the full range of human communication.

Interesting Classes You Might Take

• Communication of Science and Technology
• Organizations, Society, and Culture
• Leadership in Groups and Organizations
• Environmental Communication
• Youth and Communication
• Visual culture
• Freedom of Expression
• Critical Play and Game Studies
• Health Communication Campaigns

What You Can Learn

• Oral, written, and digital communication skills that enable effective communication
• Communication and problem solving in relational, group, and organizational settings
• Critical analysis of persuasive messaging and the strategic development of communication messages appropriate to audience, purpose, and context.
• The role of culture, race, gender, and other aspects of identity in human communication

Career Opportunities

While virtually every field demands competence in oral and written communication skills, the Department’s undergraduate program offers degree and certificate options tailored to our students’ interests and professional aspirations in a wide variety of employment opportunities. Communication graduates find jobs in private, government, non-profit sectors. Communication graduates are also well positioned for graduate studies in communication, law, business, political science, counseling, and many other academic disciplines.

Programs

• Communication Skills for Professionals, Certificate of Special Study

• Communication, B.A.

• Communication, Minor

Courses

• COMM 3 - Fundamentals of Public Communication
• COMM 4 - Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
• COMM 5 - Argumentation
• COMM 6H - Rhetoric for Autonomy and Collaboration in the Marketplace of Ideas
• COMM 7 - Persuasion
• COMM 8 - Group Discussion
• COMM 10T - Topics in Communication
• COMM 15 - Forensics Laboratory
• COMM 100 - Theories of Human Communication
• COMM 103 - Advanced Public Speaking
• COMM 105 - Argumentation Theory
• COMM 108 - Communication and the Small Group
• COMM 114 - Communication and Learning
• COMM 115 - Advanced Forensics Laboratory
• COMM 116 - Communication and Humor
• COMM 117S - Civic Engagement, Advocacy, and Forensic Service
• COMM 120 - Gender Communication
• COMM 130 - Environmental Communication
• COMM 135 - Communication of Science and Technology
• COMM 140 - Rhetorical Theory
• COMM 142 - Communication Criticism
• COMM 144 - Rhetoric of Terrorism
• COMM 148 - American Public Address
• COMM 149 - Freedom of Speech
• COMM 150 - Communication and Aging
• COMM 153 - Critical/Cultural Communication: The Popular
• COMM 155 - Critical/Cultural Communication: Game Studies
• COMM 157 - Critical/Cultural Communication: The Visual
• COMM 159 - Critical/Cultural Communication: Imaginaries
• COMM 160 - Meaning, Language, and Communication
• COMM 161 - Family Communication
• COMM 162 - Interpersonal Communication
• COMM 163 - Social Influence and Attitude Change
• COMM 164 - Intercultural Communication
• COMM 165 - Communication Technology and Society
• COMM 166 - Communication Research Methods
• COMM 167 - Leadership in Groups and Organizations
• COMM 168 - Communication in Organizations
• COMM 169 - Communication and Conflict
• COMM 170 - Business and Professional Speaking
• COMM 171 - Communication and Planning Change in the Social System
• COMM 172 - Performance and Communication
• COMM 173 - Health and Empowerment Communication Campaigns
• COMM 174 - Communication of Youth
• COMM 176 - Communication Consulting and Training
• COMM 179I - Internship
• COMM 188T - Topics in Communication
• COMM 189 - Projects in Communication
• COMM 190 - Independent Study
• COMM 205 - Seminar in Argumentation
• COMM 210 - Teaching Practicum
• COMM 214 - Seminar in Instructional Communication
• COMM 215 - Seminar in Communication
• COMM 241 - Seminar in Rhetorical Theory
• COMM 242M - Seminar in Contemporary Criticism
• COMM 243 - Seminar in Public and Strategic Discourse
• COMM 262 - Seminar in Communication Theory and Research
• COMM 263 - Seminar in Group Communication
• COMM 264M - Seminar in Communication Research Methods
• COMM 265 - Seminar in Interpersonal Communication
• COMM 266 - Seminar in Communication and Culture
• COMM 268 - Seminar in Organizational Communication
• COMM 275 - Seminar in Applied Communication
• COMM 276 - Seminar in Communication Training and Development
• COMM 290 - Independent Study
• COMM 298 - Project
• COMM 298C - Project Contiunation
• COMM 299 - Thesis
• COMM 299C - Thesis Continuation