2024-2025 Catalog [ARCHIVED]
Communication Studies
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 Return to: School of the Arts: Programs, Degrees and Certificates
Dean: Joseph Poshek
Academic Chair: Jules French, JD; Bill Neesen
Faculty: Jules French, JD; Edwin Tiongson; Bill Neesen; Christiaan Pipion
In study after study, employers have expressed the number one skill wanted from employees is communication. Oral communication has a long, proud academic history starting 2400 years ago during the Golden Age of Greece. The ability to express yourself will give you an advantage over other less articulate peers for the rest of your life. Even if you want to major in a STEM field or Business Administration, you should seriously consider either a double major with communication studies or taking a variety of our classes to hone your professional collaboration skills. As the world depends more and more on technology, we will always need those with strong oral communication expertise.
Of course, everyone should take Comm 1, Communication Fundamentals. This class introduces you to effective organizational techniques, how to use research to construct a logical argument, and how to deliver your speech like a professional. Our students develop better listening skills and confidence in what many describe as the “most fun” class they’ve ever taken. Our unique and engaging approach has received awards and been featured in journal and convention articles.
Should you find your voice in COMM 1 , the next natural step is COMM 3 , Argumentation and Debate. In the era of fake news, it is refreshing to come to a class where you can uncover the fallacies in an opponent’s assertions. Better yet, you’ll learn from the best debate coaches in the country. If you visit our area in the middle of the second floor of the BSTIC building, you will see the 20 national championship awards we’ve taken over the past 25 years. You will also see our photographs of the international debate program we sponsor. We’ve taken over 130 students and coaches to China to debate. We have also traveled to international speech tournaments in Berlin, Germany in 2019, along with Dublin, Ireland in 2024. Moreover, we’ve had debaters on campus from the United Kingdom, Ireland, China, Japan, Eastern Europe, and Rwanda.
Of course, students maximize their development with competition on the IVC Speech and Debate Team (Comm 106 - Forensics Activity). In addition to debate, students compete in individual events such as impromptu, persuasion, and poetry. Competing for the speech and debate team will always be a gold star on your resume and college applications. Many team members express an increased confidence from what is the “best of collaboration”-working with teammates-making it worth all of the effort. Often these students end up in law school at prestigious universities. In fact, one notable IVC Forensics alumni graduated from Harvard Law School.
If you want to become an expert in communication, we have Persuasion (COMM 2 ), Interpersonal Communication (COMM 5 ), and Intercultural Communication (COMM 9 ). Our Group Communication and Leadership class (COMM 10 ) will help you prepare for the time when you need to be a leader. We even have an Oral Interpretation of Literature class (COMM 30 ) for budding actors and performers who want to develop a storytelling ability so needed in today’s workforce.
For all of these achievements, the Communication Studies Department was recognized as a leader in the field and named the “Model Communication Studies Program” by the Western States Communication Association (2016). The department waits to serve those students who want to become masters of their field with the skills employers really want.
Speech and Debate Team
The Irvine Valley College Speech and Debate Team is one of the most respected and accomplished teams in the nation, competing against colleges and universities throughout the United States. Over the past 15 years, the team has placed in the top three at 12 state championships, while winning 12 league championships. Since 2000, the team was crowned the national champions in the community college division of the National Parliamentary Debate Association 12 times. The team also has an international reputation and has hosted debate teams from the UK, Ireland, Eastern Europe, Japan, Rwanda, and China on 21 occasions. In addition, the team has traveled several times to China, Germany, and Ireland for debate demonstrations, competition, and study abroad programs.
The coaching staff takes pride in developing students to become better speakers and better thinkers. All majors are welcomed and encouraged to join. Interested students may contact the Directors of Forensics Jules French at jfrench7@ivc.edu or Bill Neesen at wneesen@ivc.edu.
Potential Careers
What can you do with a Communication Degree?
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Account Manager
Accreditation Specialist
Activities Director (Retirement Center)
Administrative Aide
Advertising Executive
Alumni Coordinator
Arena Director/Manager
Arts Administrator
Broadcasting Floor Manager Public Information Officer
Broadcasting Production Supervisor
Business Manager
Camp Director
Career and Training Advisor
Child Language Specialist
Child Welfare Worker
Claims Adjuster
College Admissions Counselor
College Recruiter
Communication Consultant Communication Statistician
Communication Researcher
Communication Trainer
Community Affairs Liaison
Community College Speech Instructor
Community Outreach Director
Community Relations Director
Company Spokesperson
Conference Leader
Consultant/Specialist
Consulting Analyst
Copywriter
Corporate Communication Director
Counselor
Crisis Manager
Customer Service Representative
Database Analyst
Department Administrator
Development Officer
Director of Admissions
Director of Corporate Communication
Disc Jockey
Diversity Consultant
Drug Company Representative
Editor
Educational Media Specialist
Employment Interviewer
Environmental Lobbyist
Events Planner
Executive Administrative Assistant
Fashion Merchandiser
Film Marketing
Forensics/Debate Director
Fundraiser
Gallery Manager/Owner
Government Relations Officer
Health Services Manager
Hospital Volunteers Coordinator
Hotel Manager
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Specialist
Human Rights Officer
Information Analyst
Instructional Designer
Instructional Development
Intercultural Communication Consultant
International Program Coordinator
International Students Coordinator
Journalist
Labor Negotiator
Labor Relations Consultant
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Language Arts Teacher
Law Firm Recruiter
Lawyer
Leasing Consultant
Legal Communication Consultant
Legislative Assistant
Legislative Correspondent
Linguist
Lobbyist
Maintenance Supervisor Manager
Market Researcher
Marketing Communication Manager
Marketing Product Manager
Media Account Executive
Media Buyer
Media Critic
Media Relations
Mediation Specialist
Mental Health Professional
Motivational Speaker
Multicultural Specialist
Museum Curator
National Fraternity/Sorority Chapter
News Anchor
Newspaper Publisher
Nonprofit Organization Director
Paralegal
Parliamentarian
Patient Rights Advocate
Personnel Development Specialist
Political Activist
Political Analyst and Campaign Director
Press Secretary
Private Investigator
Production Assistant
Promotional Specialist
Proofreader
Property Manager
Public Affairs Director
Public Opinion Researcher
Public Relations Coordinator
Publicist
Quality Inspector
Radio News Director
Radio Talk Show Host
Recreational Coordinator and Supervisor
Residential Housing Director
Sales Representative Script Writer
Salesperson
Secondary School Speech Teacher
Special Events Coordinator
Speechwriter
Sports Announcer
Sports Marketer
Sports Publicist
Student Activities Director
Student Services Director
Systems Administrator
Technical Recruiter
Telemarketing Manager
Television Producer
Television Reporter
Theatre Manager
Tour Guide
Travel/Conference Manager
University Administrator
University Information Specialist
Webmaster
Wedding Consultant
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Areas of Concentration in the Communication Discipline
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Electronic Media, Media Literacy
Study of media systems, mass communication theory, aesthetics and criticism, broadcasting and convergent media technologies.
Intercultural
Study of communication among individuals of different cultural backgrounds, including the study of similarities and differences across cultures.
Interpersonal, Family, Gender
Study of communication in dyads (pairs), family systems, and the similarities and differences in communication related to gender and sex.
Language and Social Interaction
Study of the structure of verbal and nonverbal behaviors occurring in social interaction.
Mediation and Dispute Resolution
Study of understanding, management, and resolution of conflict within intrapersonal, interpersonal, and intergroup situations.
Organizational Communication
Study of processes used to analyze communication needs of organizations and social interaction, including the design of training to improve communication between supervisors and employees.
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Performance
Study of performer(s), text, audience and context.
Political Communication, Public Address
Study of role communication plays in political systems; study of speakers and speeches, including the historical and social context of platforms, campaigns, and movements.
Public Relations
Study of managing two-way communication between an organization and its diverse publics.
Rhetoric
Study of principles that account for the impact of human communication between speaker and audience.
Small Group
Study of communication systems among three or more individuals who interact around a common purpose and who influence one other.
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Adapted from Pathways to Communication Careers in the 21st Century, National Communication Association
ProgramsAssociate in ArtsAssociate in Arts for Transfer
Return to: School of the Arts: Programs, Degrees and Certificates
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