COM 101 - Introduction to Communication

This is an archived copy of the 2020-2021 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://catalog.nmc.edu.

Course Description

The course is designed to introduce the student to the basic components of the communication process as they operate in four contexts: interpersonal, group, organizational and mass media. The four contexts will be integrated under the rubric of Meaning Theory in the latter part of the course. The direct application of theories to the student’s individual career choice or personal life experience is stressed. Group 2 course.

Credit Hours

4

Contact Hours

4

Lecture Hours

4

Recommended Prerequisites or Skills Competencies

Placement into ENG 111, ENG 11/111, or successful completion of ENG 99/108.

General Education Outcomes supported by this course

Communications - Direct, Critical Thinking - Direct

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:
  • Identify three basic misconceptions about human communication.
  • Identify three primary postulates about human communication.
  • Identify four communication contexts: interpersonal, group, organizational, and mass.
  • Identify three theories of meaning as they give texture to the four contexts of communication.
Application:
  • Apply course principles to life episodes involving interpersonal forms of communication.
  • Apply course principles to life episodes involving group forms of communication.
  • Apply course principles to life episodes involving organizational forms of communication.
  • Apply course materials to mass media forms of communication.
Integration:
  • Relate course concepts to interpersonal, group, organizational, and mass media forms of communication they experience in their daily lives.
Human Dimension:
  • Recognize that relationships with others can be explained and understood from a variety of theoretic perspectives.
  • Appreciate individual differences.
Caring - Civic Learning:
  • Propose multiple theories to explain a singular communication event.
  • Be sensitive to multiple perspectives as they strive to become more tolerant of others.
Learning How to Learn:
  • Judge their own life episodes.
  • Integrate communication theories into life experiences.