Communication Focus, AA
Through the Associate of Arts degree in Communication, students develop confidence and competence in communicating verbally, in a variety of settings. This degree prepares students, through continued study toward a bachelor's degree in communication, for careers requiring communication and collaboration skills. Students complete general education courses in the Ohio Transfer Module aimed at developing competence in the exercise of independent intellectual inquiry and stimulating their examination of understanding of personal, social and civic values. The focus on communication courses prepares students in this program to analyze and create effective messages, overcome communication barriers, and understand and embrace diverse perspectives.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, graduates will:
- Apply communication principles/models of communication to personal, professional, social, and/or cultural situations and issues.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the communication principles to plan, organize, and make oral presentations.
- Identify and explain the major communication concepts and theoretical perspectives.
Year One
Fall Semester
COMM 1010 - Speech
This course involves instruction and experience in giving a presentation. Students are taught the principles of speech content and delivery so that they can effectively participate in a variety of practical speaking situations. Presentations will include the informative speech, persuasive speech, visual aid/demonstration speech, impromptu speech, and group presentation. (OTM for Oral Communication TMCOM and TAG# OCM013)
ENGL 1010 - English Composition I
This is a basic course in expository writing and critical reading. Students read a variety of nonfiction works and write summaries, analysis, essays, and a researched argument in response to their reading. Students learn to read actively and accurately and to organize, develop, and revise coherent papers appropriate for a college-educated audience. (OTM for First Writing Course TME001)
PSYC 1010 - Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Psychology is an introductory level course and is a study of the basic human behavior. Topics include the history of psychology, scientific methods, biological processes, cognitive processes, sensation and perception, consciousness, learning, intelligence, human development, personality theory, psychopathology and treatment, stress and health, and social psychology. Please note outcomes are written to OBR standards using OBR language. Ohio Articulation Number OSS015. This course meets the requirements for OTM in Social and Behavioral Science TMSBS
STAT 1010 - Probability and Statistics
This course provides the student with an overview of probability and statistics. Probability terminology, concepts and rules are emphasized in solving probability problems. Descriptive statistics, including measures of central tendency and dispersion, charts, tables and diagrams are used to summarize data. The student is introduced to the binomial, Poisson, hyper-geometric, normal and t-distributions. Confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, correlation, and linear regression are used to make conclusions concerning population parameters from sample data. This course meets the requirements for OTM Introductory Statistics TMM010.
THEA 1010 - Introduction to Theatre
Course is an overview of theatre as an art form. Includes historical and production points of view. Students will effectively view and critique plays and musicals. This is NOT a performance based course, but a theory and analysis based class. Semesters Available: Offered based on need.
HUMA 1010 - Introduction to the Humanities
This course is a genre-based introduction to the humanities and the fine arts. The student will explore the six major means of artistic expression within the fine arts: painting, literature, drama, film, photography, and sculpture. The course focuses on an understanding of the genre itself as well as the various critical theories that apply to the fine arts, including but not necessarily limited to mimesis, formalism, didacticism, and postmodernism. Field trips are required in the course. This course meets the requirements for OTM in Arts and Humanities TMAH.
MUSC 1010 - Music Appreciation
Develop listening skills used for understanding elements of musical style in a historical perspective and the significance of music as fine art.
Spring Semester
COMM 2070 - Intercultural Communication
Course explores the dynamic role intercultural communication plays in today's ever complex and changing world. Intercultural communication will be viewed through the lenses of individual, interpersonal, organizational, and societal/cultural perspectives to help students understand the context of both their own behavior and the behavior of others. (This course may NOT be substituted for COMM 1010 - Speech ). Semesters Available: Based on need.
ENGL 1030 - English Composition II
This is a course in argument and research writing. Students read issue-based works and write summaries, responses, and an argument and research paper. Students learn to organize research projects, find and evaluate sources, incorporate ideas and quotations from sources, document their sources in MLA and APA style, analyze and use argumentative strategies and persuasive appeals, and prepare and revise effective, coherent papers. (OTM for Second Writing Course TME002)
PHIL 1010 - Western Philosophy
This course involves an examination of the great philosophical ideas that have shaped the development of Western Civilization. These ideas include those promoted during the ancient Greek period of Western development, the early Christian era, the Protestant Reformation, the Enlightenment, the Nineteenth Century, the Modern Age, the Age of Existentialism, the Postmodern era, and the Age of Recovery. The philosophers covered include Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, St. Paul, Augustine, Occam, Aquinas, Erasmus, Luther, Descartes, Hobbes, Rousseau, Kant, Hegel, Feuerbach, Marx, Emerson, Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, Bergson, Dewey, Heidegger, Sartre, Camus, Teilhard, Habermas, Pera, Guardini, Zizek, and Ratzinger. This course meets the requirements for OTM Arts and Humanities TMAH and also TAG# OAH405.
PHIL 1110 - Ethics
This course involves an examination of several ethical theories, including ethical relativism, utilitarianism, virtue ethics, social contract ethics, theological ethics, and rational ethics. Subjects covered may include the ethics of nuclear war, the ethics of suicide, ethical issues in abortion, the ethics of euthanasia, ethical issues in genetic engineering, sexual ethics, racism and sexism, capital punishment, ethics and the environment and so on. This course meets the requirements for OTM Arts and Humanities TMAH and slso TAG# OAH046.
POLT 1010 - American National Government
This course involves an examination of the people, values, institutions, processes, and policies associated with American government. Special emphasis is given to the way in which all of the variables interact to form the dynamic that is American politics. This course meets the requirements for OTM in Social and Behavioral Science TMSBS
PSYC 1070 - Introduction to Women's Studies
This course is an introductory course to familiarize learners with some of the major questions, themes, and issues in the study of women. This course will focus on the scientific study of female behavior, including personality, biological, psychological and cultural determinants of women's role in society. It will also discuss historical perspectives that have shaped and continue to shape women's lives as well as how women have resisted and continue to resist these very institutions, practices and representations. Topics discussed will include sexuality, gender development, sexism, women's multiple roles and relationships and violence against women. This course meets the requirements for OTM in Social and Behavioral Science TMSBS
SOCY 2010 - Cultural Diversity and Racism
Sociological exploration of American racial and ethnic groups. Emphasis placed on the social construction of race and ethnicity, patterns of intergroup contact. Historical comparative analysis of selected groups with emphasis on economic, political and structural inequalities. Please note outcomes are written to OBR standards using OBR language. Ohio Articulation Number OSS 050 Race and Ethnicity . This course also meets the requirements for OTM in Social and Behavioral Sciences TMSBS.
Year Two
Fall Semester
BIOL 1230 - Biology I
This course is an introduction to biology for bioscience majors and students planning to transfer to four year institutions. The course will introduce fundamental concepts of biology including the scientific method, structure and chemical properties of cells. The course will introduce students to biochemical pathways, bioenergetics, and basic concepts of genetics, heredity and homeostasis. Historical contributions and application of biological principles to biotechnology will be discussed. Students will meet three lecture hours and three lab hours per week. Semesters available: Day - F
GEOL 1010 - Physical Geology
Physical Geology is an introductory course describing the fundamental concepts of Geology for Non-Science majors. These fundamental concepts are grouped in 7 modules: Module I (Geology, Earth Science, and the Scientific Method) is an introduction to the science of Geology and its many branches; this module also discusses the steps in the scientific method, and describes the systems approach to geology. Module II (Origin and Evolution of Earth) discusses the formation of the universe and the solar system, and introduces Earth's neighbors in the solar system. Module III (Plate Tectonics and the Dynamic Earth) discusses Earth's internal structure and introduces the theory of plate tectonics, a unifying idea that explains Earth's surface processes and features. Module IV (Earth Materials: Minerals and Rocks) discusses the materials from which Earth is made, as well as their structure and classification. Module V (Structural Geology) describes how Earth's internal and external processes interact to produce earthquakes and mountains. Module VI (Energy Resources) describes the energy resources that the Earth provides us and how they are produced and used. Module VII (Hydrology and Stream Geomorphology) discusses how water shapes the surface of our planet and helps create a multitude of erosional and depositional landforms. TAG# OSC025
COMM 2010 - Group Communication
Group Communication explores the many facets of working and communicating in small groups. Emphasis is placed on learning the basic terms, principles, and theories of small group communication thus enabling participants to understand various types of group participation: leadership, roles, goal setting and achieving, conflict management, decision making, and problem solving. Students will analyze, adjust, and improve their own communication behaviors in groups. (This course may NOT be substituted for COMM 1010 - Speech ) Semesters available: Offered based on need.
COMM 2030 - Interpersonal Communication
Interpersonal Communication explores the development, maintenance, and termination of interpersonal (one-on-one) relationships within one's workplace, family, friendships, and love relationships. Emphasis is placed on understanding one's concept of self, perception of others, active listening, handling conflict, learning verbal and nonverbal cues, understanding power and influence, and valuing diversity. Students will analyze, adjust, and improve their communication behaviors by critically applying interpersonal theories in a variety of communication contexts. (This course may NOT be substituted for COMM 1010) TAG# OCM002
HIST 1010 - American History I
This American Studies course is an introductory survey course covering the development of American politics, law, religion, philosophy, art and literature from 1600 to 1877. The goal of the course is to help students understand the cultural development of the United States especially in relation to its religion, art, philosophy, law, and political system. (TAG# OHS043 or if combined with HIST1030 OHS010. This course also meets the requirements for the OTM Arts and Humanities - TMAH)
HIST 1050 - Western Civilization I
This course presents an overview of European civilization from antiquity to about the year 1600, stressing the chief political, social, cultural, and religious developments within this span of time. This class will help students gain a better understanding of the historical narrative of European civilization, particularly as it relates to political institutions and structures and social and cultural developments; develop improved textual interpretation skills through the careful reading and discussion of ancient and medieval texts; and refine their ability to express ideas and produce convincing arguments through writing essays and short paper.
SPAN 1010 - Beginning Spanish I
This course develops basic speaking, listening, writing and reading skills. The goal is for students to achieve a Novice Mid-level of proficiency across all the aforementioned skills. At this level, students will be able to engage in simple interpersonal exchanges. They will also be able to present and understand information about themselves and their immediate surroundings using words, phrases and memorized expressions while speaking and listening, reproduce from memory a modest number of words and phrases in context while writing, and identify a number of highly contextualized words and phrases including cognates and borrowed words while reading. Also, students will have an introduction to Hispanic Cultures by examining a variety of topics. This course is not intended for native speakers of Spanish.
Spring Semester
BIOL 1231 - Biology II
This course is continuation of BIOL 1230 - Biology I . The course will introduce fundamental concepts of biology including evolution, classification, ecosystems, similarities and differences, among plants, animals and microorganisms in form and function. Historical contributions and application of biological principles to biotechnology will be discussed. Students will meet three lecture hours and three lab hours per week. Semesters Available Day - Sp
GEOL 1010 - Physical Geology
Physical Geology is an introductory course describing the fundamental concepts of Geology for Non-Science majors. These fundamental concepts are grouped in 7 modules: Module I (Geology, Earth Science, and the Scientific Method) is an introduction to the science of Geology and its many branches; this module also discusses the steps in the scientific method, and describes the systems approach to geology. Module II (Origin and Evolution of Earth) discusses the formation of the universe and the solar system, and introduces Earth's neighbors in the solar system. Module III (Plate Tectonics and the Dynamic Earth) discusses Earth's internal structure and introduces the theory of plate tectonics, a unifying idea that explains Earth's surface processes and features. Module IV (Earth Materials: Minerals and Rocks) discusses the materials from which Earth is made, as well as their structure and classification. Module V (Structural Geology) describes how Earth's internal and external processes interact to produce earthquakes and mountains. Module VI (Energy Resources) describes the energy resources that the Earth provides us and how they are produced and used. Module VII (Hydrology and Stream Geomorphology) discusses how water shapes the surface of our planet and helps create a multitude of erosional and depositional landforms. TAG# OSC025
COMM 2050 - Introduction to Communication Theory
This course introduces students to the theories of human communication. Students will learn about major theorists in the field of communication, study the different types of communication in which humans engage, and learn about the various contexts in which human communication takes place. (This course may NOT be substituted for COMM 1010 - Speech ) Semesters available: Day - F
COMM 2250 - Interviewing
This course will explore the theory and practice of interviewing; interview structures, questioning techniques and formats, cover letters, resumes, and the different types of interviews. Specific practice in Selection and Workplace interviewing will be emphasized. (This course may NOT be substituted for COMM 1010 - Speech ) Semesters available: Day - S Evening - Offered based on need.
HIST 1030 - American History II
This American Studies course is an introductory survey course covering the development of American politics, law, religion, philosophy, art and literature from 1877 to the present. The goal of the course is to help students understand the cultural maturity of the United States especially in relation to its religion, art, philosophy, law, and political system. (TAG# OHS044 or if combined with HIST1030 OHS010. This course also meets the requirements for the OTM Arts and Humanities - TMAH)
HIST 1070 - Western Civilization II
This course presents an overview of European civilization from around 1500 to the present, stressing the chief political, social, cultural, and religious developments within this span of time. This class will help students gain a better knowledge of the historical narrative of European civilization, particularly as it relates to political institutions and structures and social and cultural developments; develop improved textual interpretation skills through the careful reading and discussion of historical texts; and refine their ability to express ideas and produce convincing arguments through writing essays and a short paper.
SPAN 1020 - Beginning Spanish II
SPAN1020 is a continuation of SPAN 1010 with more advanced practice in listening, reading, speaking (spoken presentations as well as interpersonal exchanges), and writing with an emphasis on practical Spanish. Course includes introduction to Hispanic culture on selected topics. Prerequisite: Two years of high school Spanish or SPAN 1010 (C or above). This course is not intended for native speakers of Spanish. Semesters Available: Day-Sp