Required for all communication studies majors and is open to other interested students. The goal of this course is to examine fundamental elements of reasoning through communication, define and apply intellectual standards, and develop analytical thinking about the world around us. An important focus is given to open other systems of thinking to connect ideas between disciplines, as well as to understand different perspectives in a diverse and global society. How we think and respond to a variety of issues and situations is essential to problem solving, effective interpersonal communication, professional development and success, and productive engagement in our community and civic lives.

**COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLOs) **At the successful conclusion of this course, students will be able to:1. Apply and demonstrate the importance of foundations and contributions of communication in both historical & contemporary contexts. 2. Identify and evaluate ethical communication in personal, professional, and societal contexts. 3. Illustrate how communication concepts and theories are used to understand
communication behaviors in a variety of contexts, including small groups, organizations, interpersonal and professional relationships, and public discourse. 4. Synthesize and apply communication theory and skills to solve problems, manage personal and professional relationships, and overcome communication barriers. 5. Integrate critical reasoning into the formulation and delivery of effective and ethical
personal, social, professional, and public oral and written messages for a variety of audience compositions in numerous contexts. 6. Analyze and critique messages from personal, social, professional, and public sources to determine message effectiveness, ethics, appropriateness, and strategies utilized by the message designer.

FA, SP, SU