Communication Studies

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Program Spotlight

Communication Studies focuses on verbal and nonverbal communications, critical thinking and research, and multicultural communication, concentrating on the ways humans interact with one another and how this affects the world around them.

Students enrolled in the Communication Studies Program at Skyline College can expect to become proficient in multiple areas of communication, including public speaking, interpersonal communication, small group communication, intercultural communication, and argumentation and debate.

student takes notes in a notebook

In order to succeed in Communications, students will develop strong interpersonal and critical thinking skills as well as excellent written and verbal communication skills. Students enrolled in the Communication Studies Program at Skyline College can expect to become proficient in multiple areas of communication, including public speaking, interpersonal communication, small group communication, intercultural communication, and argumentation and debate. The College offers one Associate Degree and two Associate Degrees for Transfer in Communications that provide a clear path for transfer to a four-year educational institution.

Career Outlook

Studying Communications provides a foundation of interpersonal, writing and critical thinking skills essential in almost any career from the sciences or finance to marketing or public relations.

A degree in Communications can be a gateway to a variety of career trajectories including journalism, law, advertising, public relations, marketing, communications, sales, real estate, technical writing and much more. Salary ranges for jobs within these trajectories vary greatly. Public Relations Specialists in California make an average of $81,840 per year according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Real Estate Sales Agents in California make an average of $76,440 per year.

Program Type Total Units
Communication Studies for Transfer AA-T 60 Units
  • Effective Communication: Deliver a message using strategies that adapt appropriately to the purpose of a situation; including the specific audience and cultural & psychological climate.
  • Effective Communication: Describe the effects of communication, including listening skills, on the perception of human relationships in social & cultural contexts
  • Critical Thinking: Demonstrate effective problem-solving communication that leads to successful conflict management by researching verifiable information that supports logically organized main points and claims in a message.
  • Citizenship: Communicate ethical core values and individual cultural identity in a variety of academic, personal, vocational and civic situations. 
Office Information
Location: Building 8
Email: ruizk@smccd.edu
Phone: (650) 738-4202
Summer 2024 Courses  |  Fall 2024 Courses

Type Status Title Days Time Instructor
Online Class OPEN for Waitlist COMM 110 - 55851 - Public Speaking
COMM 110 Public Speaking

Study and practice in the basic principles of effective public oral communication. Students will research, prepare and extemporaneously deliver various speeches. Analysis and evaluation of oral, public communication is also included. Relevant social issues may be examined.

Units: 3
Degree Credit
Grade Option (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass)
  • Lecture hours/semester: 48-54
  • Homework hours/semester: 96-108
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
AA/AS Degree Requirements: Area 9A1
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSU GE Area A1), UC (IGETC Area 1C)
C-ID: COMM 110
TBA Mohammadi, O
Online Class OPEN for Waitlist COMM 110 - 55852 - Public Speaking
COMM 110 Public Speaking

Study and practice in the basic principles of effective public oral communication. Students will research, prepare and extemporaneously deliver various speeches. Analysis and evaluation of oral, public communication is also included. Relevant social issues may be examined.

Units: 3
Degree Credit
Grade Option (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass)
  • Lecture hours/semester: 48-54
  • Homework hours/semester: 96-108
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
AA/AS Degree Requirements: Area 9A1
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSU GE Area A1), UC (IGETC Area 1C)
C-ID: COMM 110
TBA Staff,
Online Class OPEN for Waitlist COMM 110 - 55853 - Public Speaking
COMM 110 Public Speaking

Study and practice in the basic principles of effective public oral communication. Students will research, prepare and extemporaneously deliver various speeches. Analysis and evaluation of oral, public communication is also included. Relevant social issues may be examined.

Units: 3
Degree Credit
Grade Option (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass)
  • Lecture hours/semester: 48-54
  • Homework hours/semester: 96-108
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
AA/AS Degree Requirements: Area 9A1
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSU GE Area A1), UC (IGETC Area 1C)
C-ID: COMM 110
TBA Babin, J
Day Class  Hybrid Class OPEN COMM 110 - 55339 - Public Speaking
COMM 110 Public Speaking

Study and practice in the basic principles of effective public oral communication. Students will research, prepare and extemporaneously deliver various speeches. Analysis and evaluation of oral, public communication is also included. Relevant social issues may be examined.

Units: 3
Degree Credit
Grade Option (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass)
  • Lecture hours/semester: 48-54
  • Homework hours/semester: 96-108
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
AA/AS Degree Requirements: Area 9A1
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSU GE Area A1), UC (IGETC Area 1C)
C-ID: COMM 110
M W 10:40am-12:50pm Harkness-Lee, S
Day Class  Hybrid Class OPEN COMM 110 - 55339 - Public Speaking
COMM 110 Public Speaking

Study and practice in the basic principles of effective public oral communication. Students will research, prepare and extemporaneously deliver various speeches. Analysis and evaluation of oral, public communication is also included. Relevant social issues may be examined.

Units: 3
Degree Credit
Grade Option (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass)
  • Lecture hours/semester: 48-54
  • Homework hours/semester: 96-108
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
AA/AS Degree Requirements: Area 9A1
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSU GE Area A1), UC (IGETC Area 1C)
C-ID: COMM 110
TBA Harkness-Lee, S
Day Class  Hybrid Class OPEN COMM 110 - 55339 - Public Speaking
COMM 110 Public Speaking

Study and practice in the basic principles of effective public oral communication. Students will research, prepare and extemporaneously deliver various speeches. Analysis and evaluation of oral, public communication is also included. Relevant social issues may be examined.

Units: 3
Degree Credit
Grade Option (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass)
  • Lecture hours/semester: 48-54
  • Homework hours/semester: 96-108
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
AA/AS Degree Requirements: Area 9A1
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSU GE Area A1), UC (IGETC Area 1C)
C-ID: COMM 110
T TBA Harkness-Lee, S
Online Class OPEN for Waitlist COMM 130 - 55854 - Interpersonal Communication
COMM 130 Interpersonal Communication

Study and practice of interpersonal relationships. Analysis of the verbal and non-verbal modes of communication. Investigation of communication conflicts in interpersonal relationships and methods of conflict resolution.

Units: 3
Degree Credit
Grade Option (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass)
  • Lecture hours/semester: 48-54
  • Homework hours/semester: 96-108
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
AA/AS Degree Requirements: Area 9A1
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSU GE Area A1), UC (IGETC Area 1C)
C-ID: COMM 130
TBA Ayotte, L
Online Class OPEN for Waitlist COMM 130 - 55855 - Interpersonal Communication
COMM 130 Interpersonal Communication

Study and practice of interpersonal relationships. Analysis of the verbal and non-verbal modes of communication. Investigation of communication conflicts in interpersonal relationships and methods of conflict resolution.

Units: 3
Degree Credit
Grade Option (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass)
  • Lecture hours/semester: 48-54
  • Homework hours/semester: 96-108
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
AA/AS Degree Requirements: Area 9A1
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSU GE Area A1), UC (IGETC Area 1C)
C-ID: COMM 130
TBA Ramirez, P
Online Class OPEN for Waitlist COMM 130 - 55894 - Interpersonal Communication
COMM 130 Interpersonal Communication

Study and practice of interpersonal relationships. Analysis of the verbal and non-verbal modes of communication. Investigation of communication conflicts in interpersonal relationships and methods of conflict resolution.

Units: 3
Degree Credit
Grade Option (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass)
  • Lecture hours/semester: 48-54
  • Homework hours/semester: 96-108
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
AA/AS Degree Requirements: Area 9A1
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSU GE Area A1), UC (IGETC Area 1C)
C-ID: COMM 130
TBA Russo, S
Day Class   OPEN COMM 130 - 50213 - Interpersonal Communication
COMM 130 Interpersonal Communication

Study and practice of interpersonal relationships. Analysis of the verbal and non-verbal modes of communication. Investigation of communication conflicts in interpersonal relationships and methods of conflict resolution.

Units: 3
Degree Credit
Grade Option (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass)
  • Lecture hours/semester: 48-54
  • Homework hours/semester: 96-108
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
AA/AS Degree Requirements: Area 9A1
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSU GE Area A1), UC (IGETC Area 1C)
C-ID: COMM 130
M T W Th 10:40am-12:50pm Hurless, J
Online Class OPEN for Waitlist COMM 140 - 55819 - Small Group Communication
COMM 140 Small Group Communication

Understanding of the principles of group interaction and decision making, including study of leadership, types of authority, teamwork, and conflict resolution. Participation in discussion groups to share information, to solve problems, and to reach consensus.

Units: 3
Degree Credit
Grade Option (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass)
  • Lecture hours/semester: 48-54
  • Homework hours/semester: 96-108
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
AA/AS Degree Requirements: Area 9A1
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSU GE Area A1), UC (IGETC Area 1C)
C-ID: COMM 140
TBA Cunningham, C
Online Class OPEN COMM 150 - 55856 - Intercultural Communication
COMM 150 Intercultural Communication

Designed for students from all cultural backgrounds. Study of basic theory and skills of intercultural communication using round table discussion, public speaking and critical analysis. Emphasis is given to empathy building for communicating effectively in a diverse social and professional environment.

Units: 3
Degree Credit
Letter Grade Only
  • Lecture hours/semester: 48-54
  • Homework hours/semester: 96-108
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
AA/AS Degree Requirements: Area 9A1
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSU GE Area A1), UC
C-ID: COMM 150
TBA Lescure, R

The college catalog contains lists of all courses that we may offer in the current academic year.

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Primary Contact

Kennya Ruiz
Kennya Ruiz (Division Assistant)
Language Arts-Language Arts Division
ruizk@smccd.edu More details »

Communication Studies Faculty

Danielle Powell
Danielle Powell (Professor)
Language Arts-Communication Studies
powelld@smccd.edu More details »
Seleena Harkness Lee
Seleena Harkness Lee (Professor)
Language Arts-Communication Studies
harknesslees@smccd.edu
More details »
Jessica Hurless
Jessica Hurless (Associate Professor)
Language Arts-Communication Studies
hurlessj@smccd.edu More details »
Lindsey Ayotte
Lindsey Ayotte (Associate Professor)
Language Arts-Communication Studies
ayottel@smccd.edu More details »
Patrick McDonnell
Patrick McDonnell (Assistant Professor)
Language Arts-Communication Studies
mcdonnellp@smccd.edu
More details »
Oli Mohammadi
Oli Mohammadi (Adjunct Professor)
Language Arts-Communication Studies
mohammadio@smccd.eduMore details »
Cherakah Cunningham
Cherakah Cunningham (Instructor)
Language Arts-Communication Studies
cunninghamch@smccd.eduMore details »
Pablo Ramirez
Pablo Ramirez (Instructor)
Language Arts-Communication Studies
ramirezp@smccd.eduMore details »
Sage Russo
Sage Russo (Communication Studies Instructor)
Language Arts-Communication Studies
russos@smccd.eduMore details »
Joanne Babin
Joanne Babin (Adjunct Instructor)
Language Arts-Communication Studies
babinj@smccd.eduMore details »
Ryan Lescure
Ryan Lescure (Adjunct Instructor)
Language Arts-Communication Studies
lescurer@smccd.eduMore details »