5/8/2025 4:08:36 PM	COMM 10 Course Outline as of Fall 2025	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  COMM 10	Title:  INTRO COMM THEORY
Full Title:  Introduction to Communication Theory
Last Reviewed:4/14/2025

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

In this course, students will be introduced to the theory of human communication. They will analyze, appreciate, and apply cultural, interpersonal, public, media, organizational, and performance theories to personal experiences, influential texts, and significant events.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL C1000 or equivalent or appropriate placement based on AB705 mandates.

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

In this course, students will be introduced to the theory of human communication. They will analyze, appreciate, and apply cultural, interpersonal, public, media, organizational, and performance theories to personal experiences, influential texts, and significant events.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL C1000 or equivalent or appropriate placement based on AB705 mandates.
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
Area:	D	Social and Behavioral Sciences
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	D	Social Science		Fall 1981
	D1	Anthropology and Archeology
	D4	Gender Studies
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	4	Social and Behavioral Science		Fall 1981
	4J	Sociology and Criminology
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
C-ID:
CID Descriptor: COMM 180	Introduction to Communication Studies or Introduction to Communication Theory	SRJC Equivalent Course(s): COMM10

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Diagram and define key elements of communication models while applying them to communication situations.

2. Identify and analyze theories that pertain to a variety of communication (i.e. cultural, interpersonal, public, media, organizational, and performance).

3. Utilize a communication theory to describe, explain, or predict human interaction and/or

behavior.

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Compare and contrast competing models of communication

2. Diagram and define the basic elements of communication models

3. Identify, explain, and contrast the seven traditional fields of communication

4. Identify, explain, and contrast the seven contexts of communication

5. Define "theory" and explain its goals

6. Compare and contrast different approaches to communication research

7. Explain, apply, and critique a variety of communication theories drawn from a variety of communication contexts

Topics and Scope

I. Introduction to the Course

    A. Defining communication

         1. Intentional versus unintentional perspectives

         2. Sender versus receiver perspectives

         3. Symbolic versus non-symbolic perspectives

    B. Models of communication

         1. Linear

         2. Interactional

         3. Transactional

    C. Components of models of Communication

         1. Sender

         2. Receiver

         3. Message

         4. Channel

         5. Encoding

         6. Decoding

         7. Noise

         8. Context

         9. Feedback

        10. Frames of reference

II. The Seven Traditions of the Communication Field

    A. Cybernetic

    B. Rhetorical

    C. Semiotic

    D. Phenomenological

    E. Socio-psychological

    F. Socio-cultural

    G. Critical

III. The Seven Contexts of the Communication Field

    A. Intrapersonal

    B. Interpersonal

    C. Group

    D. Organizational

    E. Public/rhetorical

    F. Mass media

    G. Cultural

IV. Theory

    A. Definition

    B. Approaches

         1. Covering laws

         2. Rules

         3. Systems

    C. Goals

         1. Explanation

         2. Understanding

         3. Prediction

         4. Social change

    D. Evaluation

         1. Scope

         2. Logical consistency

         3. Parsimony

         4. Utility

         5. Testability

         6. Heurism

         7. Test of time

V. Research

    A. The scientific method

    B. Quantitative

    C. Qualitative

    D. Rhetoric

    E. Performance

    F. Methodologies

         1. Experiments

         2. Surveys

         3. Interviews

         4. Content analysis

         5. Ethnographies

         6. Embodiment

     G. Peer-reviewed scholarship

VI. Representative Communication Theories

     A. Intrapersonal and the self in communication

         1. Symbolic interactionism

         2. General semantics

         3. Coordinated management of meaning

         4. Cognitive dissonance

          5. Expectancy violation

         6. Fundamental interpersonal relations orientation (FIRO)

    B. Interpersonal

         1. Uncertainty reduction

         2. Predicated outcome value

         3. Social exchange

         4. Social penetration

         5. Relational dialectics

         6. Constructivism

         7. Proxemics

         8. Attribution

         9. Interactional

        10. Communication accommodation

    C. Public

         1. The Rhetoric

         2. Dramatism

         3. Narrative paradigm

         4. Dramaturgy

         5. Toulmin's nature of argument

    D. Groups

          1. Groupthink

         2. Structuration

         3. Leadership styles

    E. Organizational

         1. Organizational culture

         2. Organizational information

         3. Information systems

    F. Cultural

         1. Face-negotiation

         2. Muted group

         3. Feminist standpoint

         4. Genderlect styles

         5. Cultivation

         6. High and low contexts

         7. Queer theory

         8. Feminist theory

         9. Border theory

       10. Anti-racism

       11. Intersectionality

    G. Media

         1. Agenda setting

         2. Spiral of silence

         3. Uses and gratification

         4. Media ecology

         5. Social learning

         6. Gatekeeping

    H. Performance

         1. Restored behavior

         2. Not not me

         3. Hyperembodiment

         4. Disidentification

         5. Strategies and tactics

         6. Alienation effect

         7. Naturalism

Assignments:

1. Regular reading assignments from course texts and supplementary materials (20-25 pages/week)

2. Writing assignments (minimum of 500 words) such as:

    a. Journals  

     b. Literature reviews  

     c. Original research paper

     d. Abstracts, short response papers

    e. Term papers

     f. Group papers

    g. Critiques of self and others

3. Additional demonstrations as determined by instructor may include:

    a. Group presentations

     b. Student created videos

    c. In-class skits

    d. Creative methods explaining and demonstrating a particular communication theory, etc.

4. Additional assignments as determined by instructor may include:

    a. Project planning

    b. Outlining

    c. Process tasks

5. Exams

6. Attendance and participation

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 15 - 25%
Writing assignments
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 15%
Project planning, outlining, and process tasks (if assigned)
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 25%
Presentational demonstrations and activities used for assessment purposes (if assigned)
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 40 - 75%
Exams
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 30%
Participation and attendance, critiques of self and others

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

A First Look at Communication Theory. 11th ed. Griffin, Em and Ledbetter, Andrew and Sparks, Glenn. McGraw-Hill Education. 2022

Communication Theory: Racially Diverse and Inclusive Perspectives. 1st ed. Austin, Orbe and Sims. Cognella Academic. 2021.

Foundation of Communication Research Methods: Qualitative, Quantitative, & Rhetorical Approaches to the Study of Communication. Chatham-Carpenter, DeFrancisco, Hall, Martin and Palczewski. OER. 2011. https://researchmethods.uni.edu/\parIntroducing Communication Theory. 7th ed. West, Richard and Turner, Lynn. McGraw Hill. 2020. (classic)

Contemporary Communication Theory. 3rd ed. Infante, Dominic and Rancer, Andrew and Avtgis, Theodore. Kendall Hunt. 2020. (classic)

Human Communication in Society. 6th ed. Alberts, Jess and Nakayama, Thomas and Martin, Judith. Pearson Education. 2021

The Rhetoric of Western Thought: From the Mediterranean World to the Global Setting. 11th ed.  Golden, James and Berquist, Goodwin and Coleman, William.   Kendall/Hunt. 2020. (classic).

Print PDF