COMM C1000 Introduction to Public Speaking (3 Units)

Hours: 54 (54 lecture)

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. (Formerly COMM 131 prior to Fall 2025.)

SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area D2, SBCCGE Area E4, SBCCGE Area 1B

Transfer Information: Cal-GETC Area 1C, CSUGE Area A1, IGETC Area 1C, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable

UC Transfer Limit: COMM 131 and 113H combined: maximum credit, one course.

C-ID: COMM 110.

COMM C1000H Introduction to Public Speaking - Honors (3 Units)

Limitations on Enrollment: Acceptance into the Honors Program.

Hours: 54 (54 lecture)

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 is an honors course. Instruction in public speaking honors focuses on audience analysis, organizing ideas, and supporting arguments. Students prepare and deliver speeches on relevant, current topics. Video recordings and instructor evaluations offer valuable feedback on student performance. The honors section requires longer speeches, more research to support main points, additional course readings, and more detailed outlines. (Formerly COMM 131H prior to Fall 2025.)

SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area D2, SBCCGE Area E4, SBCCGE Area 1B

Transfer Information: Cal-GETC Area 1C, CSUGE Area A1, IGETC Area 1C, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable

UC Transfer Limit: COMM 131 and 113H combined: maximum credit, one course.

C-ID: COMM 110.

COMM 101 Introduction to Communication (3 Units)

Hours: 54 (54 lecture)

Introduction to the field of communication, with emphasis on the history of communication study, theories of communication, communication contexts, and issues in communication studies. Also serves as an introduction to the strands of communication studies, including interpersonal, group, rhetoric, intercultural, organizational and mass communication.

SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area B, SBCCGE Area 4

Transfer Information: Cal-GETC Area 4, CSUGE Area D7, IGETC Area 4G, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable

C-ID: COMM 180.

COMM 110 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (3 Units)

Hours: 54 (54 lecture)

An introduction to the basic principles and methods of oral communication with an emphasis on improving speaking and listening skills in public speaking, interpersonal, and small group communication contexts. Students will develop and apply effective research and presentation strategies, grounded in classic rhetorical theory.

Transfer Information: Cal-GETC Area 1C

COMM C1004 Interpersonal Communication (3 Units)

Hours: 54 (54 lecture)

This course covers theory, research, and application of ethical one-to-one communication practices in various and diverse interpersonal relationships including in personal, professional, and social situations. Students learn to find, evaluate, and understand peer reviewed social science research and apply the findings to real life relationships. (Formerly COMM 121 prior to Fall 2026).

SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area 4

Transfer Information: C-ID COMM 130, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable

COMM 121H Interpersonal Communication, Honors (3 Units)

Limitations on Enrollment: Acceptance into the Honors Program.

Hours: 54 (54 lecture)

Introduction to principles and skills of effective communication, with a focus on verbal and nonverbal channels, person perception, conflict resolution, listening, and communication barriers. Study includes the social science of interpersonal communication and presentational speaking. In-depth exploration of selected COMM C1004 topics conducted through a research paper.

SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area D2, SBCCGE Area E4, SBCCGE Area 1B

Transfer Information: CSUGE Area A1, IGETC Area 1C, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable

UC Transfer Limit: COMM 121, 121H and 122 combined: maximum credit, one course.

C-ID: COMM 130.

COMM 141 Small Group Communication (3 Units)

Hours: 54 (54 lecture)

This course integrates foundational training in both public speaking and small group communication, providing students with theoretical knowledge and practical experience in each. Students will prepare and deliver a variety of speech presentations (including informative, persuasive, and group-based speeches) while exploring key communication concepts such as rhetorical theory, audience adaptation, argumentation, leadership, and group dynamics. Emphasis is placed on critical listening, ethical communication, and collaborative problem-solving within small task-oriented groups. Students will refine verbal and nonverbal communication skills through faculty-supervised, faculty-evaluated speeches delivered to a live audience.

SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area D2, SBCCGE Area E4, SBCCGE Area 1B

Transfer Information: CSUGE Area A1, IGETC Area 1C, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable

C-ID: COMM 140.

COMM 151 Intercultural Communication (3 Units)

Hours: 54 (54 lecture)

Provides an introduction to communication between people from different cultures. Focuses on the application of theory and research to intercultural communication. The topics and activities are designed to develop communication skills that improve competence in intercultural situations.

SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area B, SBCCGE Area E5, SBCCGE Area 4

Transfer Information: Cal-GETC Area 4, CSUGE Area D3, IGETC Area 4C, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable

C-ID: COMM 150.

COMM 161 Communication in Organizations (3 Units)

Hours: 54 (54 lecture)

Communication in organizations examines communication practices in various organizational situations, applying effective strategies for achieving organizational and individual goals. Instructions include selecting a speech topic, determining the purpose, analyzing the audience and occasion, researching the topic and organizing, outlining, and presenting an informative and persuasive speech to a target audience. The use of logic, evidence and emotional appeals is studied and emphasized.

SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area D2, SBCCGE Area E4, SBCCGE Area 1B

Transfer Information: CSUGE Area A1, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable

UC Transfer Limit: COMM 161 and COMM 162 combined: maximum credit, 1 course.

COMM 171 Mass Media and Society (3 Units)

Hours: 54 (54 lecture)

Exploration of the history, effects and role of the mass media in the U.S. Major forms of mass communication are studied. Study focuses on critical analysis of media messages, effects of media on the individual and society, and theories of communication. Students move beyond being "consumers" of media to "analysts" of media.

SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area B, SBCCGE Area 4

Transfer Information: Cal-GETC Area 4, CSUGE Area D7, IGETC Area 4C, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable

C-ID: JOUR 100.

COMM 180 Oral Communication for Leadership and Social Change (3 Units)

Course Advisories: Eligibility for ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E or ENGL C1000H.

Hours: 54 (54 lecture)

Explores leadership styles and skills needed to effectively lead for a more inclusive and just society. Students analyze real-world problems across a variety of categories to better understand how everyday people can make social change through inclusive, ethical, and informed leadership. Focus on learning oral communication skills as an important method for engagement in a democratic society, particularly public speaking. (Formerly COMM 142 prior to Fall 2026.)

SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area B, SBCCGE Area E5, SBCCGE Area 4

Transfer Information: CSUGE Area D, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable

COMM 200 Rhetoric of Pop Culture (3 Units)

Hours: 54 (54 lecture)

Overview, history and critical analysis of popular culture in the United States as a mediator of cultural values and attitudes. Evaluates representations of popular culture by analyzing multiple artifacts from various theoretical perspectives. Examines pop culture artifacts as products of mass communication rooted in underlying values of American society. Focuses on developing critical thinking concerning assumptions regarding race, class and gender imbedded in popular culture.

SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area C, SBCCGE Area 3

Transfer Information: Cal-GETC Area 3B, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable

COMM 235 Argumentation and Debate (3 Units)

Prerequisites: ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E or ENGL C1000H.

Hours: 54 (54 lecture)

Argumentation and Debate develops critical thinking and persuasive communication skills through the study and application of argumentation theory in oral and written contexts. Building on foundational composition skills, students learn to construct and evaluate complex arguments using methods of critical reasoning and inquiry-driven research. Students identify logical fallacies, engage in inductive and deductive reasoning, test evidence for credibility, distinguish fact from opinion and knowledge from belief, and recognize assumptions underlying conclusions while reflecting on their own thought processes. Through structured debates and argumentative essays addressing contemporary issues, students apply rhetorical strategies appropriate to audience, purpose, context, and genre. Texts and topics reflect cultural diversity and emphasize fairness, equity, and access. Students produce, revise, and receive feedback on research-based briefs, peer responses, and persuasive essays totaling at least 5,000 words.

SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area D2, SBCCGE Area E4, SBCCGE Area 1B

Transfer Information: Cal-GETC Area 1B, CSUGE Area A1, CSUGE Area A3, IGETC Area 1B, IGETC Area 1C, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable

C-ID: COMM 120.

COMM 288 Communication Research Methods (3 Units)

Course Advisories: COMM 101.

Hours: 54 (54 lecture)

Introduction to the theoretical and practical concerns underlying procedures most commonly used in communication research. Students evaluate findings of communication research and understand research methods. Serves as preparation for advanced coursework in communication.

SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area 4

Transfer Information: Cal-GETC Area 4, CSUGE Area D7, IGETC Area 4G, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable

C-ID: POLS 160.

COMM 289 Communication Theory (3 Units)

Course Advisories: COMM 101.

Hours: 54 (54 lecture)

Introduction to major theories of human communication, Designed to give students critical understanding of key themes in the field, and to show how theories illuminate the nature of human interaction. Designed to prepare students for upper-division coursework in communication.

SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area B, SBCCGE Area 4

Transfer Information: Cal-GETC Area 4, CSUGE Area D7, IGETC Area 4G, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable

COMM 295 Internship in Communication (2-4 Units)

Hours: 210 (210 lab)

Structured internship program in which students gain experience with community organizations related to the discipline. Course restricted to 3 repetitions

Transfer Information: CSU Transferable

COMM 299 Independent Study in Communication (1-4 Units)

Limitations on Enrollment: Six units of Communication courses completed with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Hours: 192 (192 lab)

Minimum of 12 units of coursework completed at SBCC with GPA of at least 3.0. For complete information, see "Independent Study" in the Catalog Index.

Transfer Information: CSU Transferable