Multi-dimensional in its approach, Communication Studies Department uses the rich resources of both the humanities and the social sciences in exploring the human capacity for speech - when, where, why, how, and with what effect people interact through language and extra-linguistic symbols - and focuses on the theory and practice of human communication in a variety of contexts: interpersonal, intercultural, instructional, organizational, political, in dyads, in small groups, and in the mass media. The Communication Studies program prepares students for graduate work or careers in a wide variety of occupations that place a premium on excellent communication skills. The Communication Studies degree program is now among the most popular in the College of Liberal Arts.
Modified from coms.calpoly.edu
Senior Projects from 2010
WALL-E's Rhetoric: An Ecological Sermon from a Strange Preacher, Jennifer A. English
"The Only Band That Matters": An Analysis of the Relationship Between Punk Rock and Culture, Dillon Ferdinandi
Uniting A Nation: A Close Textual Analysis Of Barack Obama's Inaugural Address, Thomas Michael Gatta
Pre-Game Rhetoric: Pure Motivation or Simply Show?, Sam Alan Hettinger
Mere Christianity: The Lasting Work of C.S. Lewis, Stephanie Jeanne Johnson
A Relevant Ministry: Ideology in Martin Luther King's "I've been to the Mountaintop", Taylor Jones
The Rhetorical Subversion of Populism: Palinism in the 2008 Election, Allison Margaret Kearney
The Question of Robin Hood, Jessica Kinkhorst
John F. Kennedy's Address to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association: A Speech of Apologia, Carlos Ernesto La Puente
Wine Advertising to the Millennial Generation, Jessica R. Luke
Open: A Narrative Criticism, Suzanne Christine Matzenauer
Effects of the Emo Music Genre, Vincent Piccone Mazzaferro
"Natural Male Enhancement": A Semiological Approach To Enzyte's Marketing Scheme, Michelle (Shelley) McKendree
Feminist Criticism: The Importance Of Sharing The Native Female Journey, Michelle Newfield
Climate Literacy in California K-12 Schools, Candice Maree Nosworthy
New England Patriots Vs The Carolina Panthers At The Super Boob?: A Deeper Look At The Media Surrounding Janet Jackson And Justin Timberlake's Wardrobe Malfunction At The 2004 Super Bowl, Philip Michael Ortez
CubeSat Developers' Workshop 2010, Tracy Owens and Ryan Race
In Living Color, Chappelle's Show, and Bamboozled: Decoding Representations of Blackness, Genevieve Odette Owsowitz
Central Coast Wrestling Clinics, Chase Pami
Image Restoration in Major League Baseball: An Analysis of Apologia Strategies during The Steroid Era, Shareef C. Stratton
"An Embodiment of Contradiction": Creating an Apologetic Narrative in Barack Obama's "A More Perfect Union" Address, Nina M. Vannucci
Labeling Disability in America, Nicole C. Webster
Rhetorical Construction of Gender: How Women are Portrayed in Popular Music Today, Stephanie Colleen Yocum
The Big West Conference Women’s Golf Championship 2014: An Application of Communication Principles, Taylor Yoshitake