COMM 1101

Introduction to Communication

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2026-2027 Catalog.

This course will provide an introduction to the study of Communication. Topics include the functions, foundations, models, and modes of communication. Students will be introduced to research methods and begin to master the research and study skills required to be a successful scholar of communication. An overview of concepts and processes related to the functions of communication will be examined through current theoretical and empirical research.

Distribution Requirements (SBA-AG)

Last 4 Terms Offered 2025FA, 2025SU, 2024FA, 2024SU

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to express a thoughtful awareness of the role of communication in their own life.
• Students will be able to identify how communication processes shape human thoughts and actions.
• Students will be able to articulate the difference in how evidence is used in various social-scientific approaches to understanding communication phenomena.
• Students will be able to demonstrate an evidence-based perspective on the structures, processes, and effects of communication.
• Students will be able to identify and apply theoretical perspectives to understand and ask communication-related research questions.
• Students will be able to evaluate the strengths and limitations of communication theories.
• Students will be able to find, summarize, and synthesize quality communication research publications.
• Students will be able to identify gaps in what is known about human communication.
• Students will be able to begin to critically evaluate how inferences are made from observations.
• Students will be able to critique inappropriate citation and methodological choices, formulate a high quality APA style research paper investigating a specific communication phenomenon in depth from a unique perspective.

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