Full Time Faculty
Rolland Petrello - Chair rpetrello@vcccd.edu (805) 553-4689 | PA-124	Jill McCall jmccall@vcccd.edu (805) 553-4690 | PA-125
Allison Bowman allison_bowman1@vcccd.edu (805) 553-4686 | PA-117	Neal Stewart nstewart1@vcccd.edu (805) 553-4687 | PA-118
August Benassi august_benassi@vcccd.edu (805) 553-4685 | PA-114	Jenna Patronete jpatronete@vcccd.edu (805) 304-4643 | PA-123
Anasheh Gharabighi agharabighi@vcccd.edu  | T-213 D	Jamie Whittington-Studer jamie_whittingtonst1@vcccd.edu
Adjunct Faculty
Drew Lobenstein dlobenstein@vcccd.edu	Karen Peck kpeck@vcccd.edu
Benjamin Bates bbates@vcccd.edu	Monique Gevorkian monique_gevorkian1@vcccd.edu
Katie DelBagno kathrene_delbagno1@vcccd.edu	Laura Gentry lgentry@vcccd.edu
Nora Sepulveda nora_sepulveda1@vcccd.edu	Nune Dervishian ndervishian@vcccd.edu
Noelle Anderson noelle_anderson1@vcccd.edu

COMM M01 – PUBLIC SPEAKING - 3 UNITS

Prepares students to be effective oral communicators in a public speaking context through instruction in basic communication theory, appropriate delivery skills, common organizational patterns, and thorough research techniques. Offers practical training in feedback and listening skills.

Meets Area D2 for AA, Area A1 for CSU/IGETC

 

COMM M01H – HONORS: PUBLIC SPEAKING - 3 UNITS

Prepares students to be effective oral communicators in a public speaking context through instruction in basic communication theory, appropriate delivery skills, common organizational patterns, and thorough research techniques. Offers practical training in feedback and listening skills. Honors work challenges students to be more analytical and creative through expanded assignments, real-world applications, and enrichment opportunities.

Meets Area D2 for AA, Area 1 for CSU/IGETC

 

COMM M02 – INTRODUCTION TO PERSUASION - 3 UNITS

Prerequisites: COMM M01

Examines historical and contemporary approaches to persuasive messages throughout time. Focuses on the presentation of persuasive appeals, and learning to construct, deliver, and critique persuasive messages. Explores practical application of advanced principles of audience adaptation and ethics through the presentation of various types of persuasive speeches and situations.

Meets Area D2 for AA, Area A1 for CSU/IGETC

 

COMM M04 – INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION-  3 UNITS

Provides an introduction to the dynamics of communication in one-to one relationships, focusing on experience, behavior, and rules governing interpersonal contexts such as friendship, families, and employer-employee relations. Studies factors influencing communication such as language, perception, nonverbal cues, listening, status and roles. Explores problems of communication and conflict resolution. Studies assertiveness and confidence in relating interpersonally through the communication process.

Meets Area B2 for AA, Area D for CSU, Area 4 for IGETC

 

COMM M05 – ORAL INTERPRETATION OF LITERATURE - 3 UNITS

Studies the principles of interpretation of literature from each of the major genres (prose, poetry, drama) as well as the techniques of performance. Studies literary craft as well as evaluating, analyzing, and performing selections from each of the major genres of literature.

Meets Area C1 for AA and CSU

 

COMM M06 – SMALL GROUP COMMUNICAITON - 3 UNITS

Applies principles of communication in a variety of group contexts. Examines the theory, application, and evaluation of group communication processes, including problem solving, conflict management, decision-making, and leadership.

Meets area D2 for AA, and A1 for CSU/IGETC

 

COMM M07 – ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE - 3 UNITS

Introduces theory, methodology, and practice of critical listening, critical thinking and oral argument, including training in claims, methods of analysis, stock issue policy analysis, evidence and proof, and cross-examination considerations. Examines types of debatable propositions, effective listening and note taking, research methodology, and delivery skills. Practices team and Lincoln/Douglas formats on class-selected topics and issues.

Meets area D2 for AA, Area A3 for CSU

 

COMM M10A – FORENSICS I - 2 UNITS

Provides training and supervised preparation for participating in collegiate competitive and non-competitive speech activities, such as debate, public speaking, and oral performance of literature. Requires participation in interscholastic competition either as competitor or critic. Field trips are required.

COMM M10B – FORENSICS II - 2 UNITS

Prerequisites: COMM M10A and Audition

Provides intermediate training and supervised preparation for participating in collegiate competitive speech activities, such as debate, public speaking, and oral performance of literature. Requires participation in interscholastic competition. Field trips required.

COMM M10C – FORENSICS III - 2 UNITS Prerequisites:

COMM M10B and Audition

Provides advanced training and supervised preparation for participating in collegiate competitive speech activities, such as debate, public speaking, and oral performance of literature. Requires participation in interscholastic competition. Field trips required.

COMM M10D – FORENSICS IV  - 2 UNITS

Prerequisites: COMM M10C and Audition

Provides advanced training and supervised preparation for participating in collegiate competitive speech activities, such as debate, public speaking, and oral performance of literature. Requires participation in interscholastic competition as competitors and as critics.

 

COMM M12 – INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION  - 3 UNITS

Introduces intercultural communication principles and processes in domestic and/or global contexts. Provides for the development of a more global communication perspective and an appreciation of communication among diverse groups within the larger context of American culture. Promotes an understanding of the influence of cultures, languages, and social patterns on how members of groups relate among themselves and with members of different ethnic and cultural groups.

Meets Areas B2 and F for AA, Area D for CSU, Area 4 for IGETC

 

COMM M13 – GENDER COMMUNICATION  - 3 UNITS

Explores the role, influence, effects, and significance of gender on our everyday communication interactions. Analyzes issues of gender and communication by examining the theoretical perspectives used to explain gender phenomena, gender socialization, and male and female interactions and stereotypes. Explores, with an emphasis on improving communication skills, the relationship between gender and communication as it pertains to the nature of gender(s), the language of gender, and gender differences in verbal and nonverbal communication.

Meets Areas B2 and F for AA, Area D for CSU, Area 4 for IGETC

 

COMM M16 – READERS’ THEATRE  - 3 UNITS

Examines the principles of interpretation of literature from all the major genres (prose, poetry, drama) as well as the techniques of group performance. Provides hands-on creation, staging, and performance of a readers’ theatre incorporating each of the major genres of literature.

 

COMM M17 – COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION  - 3 UNITS

Addresses the fundamental aspects of interpersonal communication and considers how different types of computer-mediated communications (CMC) technologies such as e-mail, instant messaging, video conferencing, and social network sites affect communication processes. Examines social networks, online relationship formation, privacy and safety issues, online games, and the convergence of mass and interpersonal communication.

 

COMM M18 – INTRODUCTION TO ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION  - 3 UNITS

Introduces the fundamental principles of communication in organizations including organizational communication models, the role of ethics and diversity, basic communication skills, interviewing skills. Examines such topics as communicating in groups and teams, conflict management, leadership, presentation skills and identifying and amending ineffective communication within organizations. Focuses on analyzing, adapting, and improving communication strategies in organizational settings by applying and practicing the knowledge and skills acquired in this course.

 

COMM M19 – COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP  - 3 UNITS

Introduces the fundamental elements of communication in relation to leadership theories, ethics, styles, and perspectives. Examines the development of a personal philosophy of leadership that includes an understanding of self, others, and community. Prepares students for leadership roles in business, government, nonprofits, education, and community-based organizations.

 

COMM M20 – BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL SPEECH  - 3 UNITS

Focuses on effective speaking skills needed in leadership positions, including an awareness of presentation techniques, group dynamics, argumentation and persuasion strategies, organizational structure, and interpersonal situations in the business environment. Builds on individual needs and interests.

 

COMM M23 – INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH COMMUNICATION  - 3 UNITS

Introduces the theory and practice of health communication in culturally diverse settings. Explores patient-caregiver communication, the social, cultural, and political influences on healthcare access and utilization, and the role the mass media plays in disseminating healthcare information. Focuses on understanding and improving health communication among health professionals and clients and with the general public.

 

COMM M25 – INTRODUCTION TO RHETORICAL CRITICISM  - 3 UNITS

Studies the principles of reasoning and rhetoric and their application to the analysis and evaluation of public discourse. Examines both the technique and the substance of discourse by exploring rhetorical strategies, quality of argument, quality of support for claims, use of language, fallacies, as well as the demands placed on the speaker by the audience. Emphasizes the integration of critical thinking principles with techniques of effective written and spoken discourse.

Meets Area D2 for AA, Area A3 for CSU, Area 1B for IGETC

 

COMM M26 – RHETORIC OF POPULAR CULTURE  - 3 UNITS

Studies U.S. popular culture. Examines the role of popular culture in the U.S. as a mediator of cultural values and attitudes. Specifically evaluates representation of popular cultural in advertising, film, television, sports, and politics.

Meets Areas C2 for AA and CSU, Area 3B for IGETC

 

COMM M80 – INTERNSHIP IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES -  1 TO 4 UNITS

Prerequisites: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in one course in the discipline and instructor approval.

Provides on-the-job learning to develop effective work habits, attitudes, and career awareness in paid or unpaid internships that are related to the discipline. Involves the development and documentation of learning objectives and the completion of an internship paper, presentation, or project. Includes both workplace supervisor and faculty adviser feedback and/or written evaluations. To take this course, contact the Career Transfer Center. Requires orientation session. Students receive one unit of credit for each 60 hours unpaid or 75 hours paid work. May enroll in up to 4 units a semester with a maximum of 16 total units of any type of work experience.

 

COMM M122 – INDEPENDENT STUDY – COMMUNICATION STUDIES -  0.5 TO 3 UNITS

Prerequisites: A previous course in the discipline and instructor approval.

Allows independent study for students who wish to extend their knowledge of a particular area of speech through research and study. Utilizes an approved independent project. Includes one-on-one work with instructor. Interested students should contact a Speech instructor for assistance in developing a contract for learning about a specific topic.