Communication Studies

 

Communication Studies (also known as Speech Communication)  is the study of human messaging and it's impact on individual relationships, gathered audiences, and our broader society.  Part skills focused and part theory focused, classes focus on development of important skills like public speaking  and argumentation as well as complex theories of human behavior related to personal relationships and social groups.  Communication Studies emphasizes training in effective strategies of communicating with others and a greater understanding of why those strategies work (or sometimes don't).

Communication Majors develop skills highly in demand in a wide variety of careers.  Some of the careers that either require or highly value strong communication skills include:

  • Public Relations
  • Marketing/Advertising
  • Business/Management
  • Law
  • Broadcasting
  • Teaching
  • Performing Arts
Contact
Chairperson
Duane Smith
Phone
(818) 778-5537
Email
@email
Office Location
Humanities 108 
Office Hours
email for availability

Department

Communication Studies

Pathway

Humanities and Communication

Programs

Communication Studies Degree

Click the tabs below to find out about the Communication Studies degree.

  • Communication Studies (also known as Speech Communication)  is the study of human messaging and its impact on individual relationships, gathered audiences, and our broader society.  The Communication Studies Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) emphasizes training in effective strategies of communicating with others and a greater understanding of why those strategies work (or sometimes don't).  The Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor's degree in a similar major at a CSU campus. Students completing these degrees (AA-T or AS-T) are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major.

Communication Studies AA-T

Faculty

Full-time Faculty

Name Contact Info
Kevin Briancesco @email
Dr. Joseph Faina @email
Antonio Moorehead @email
Joshua Miller @email
Duane Smith @email
Roana Thornock @email

 

Adjunct Faculty

Name Contact Information

See course catalogue for list of adjunct instructors

  

 

Faculty Profiles

Click below to learn about the Communication Studies faculty.

Kevin Briancesco
  • BA San Francisco State University, MA Arizona State University.  Studied performance, gender and communication, social media.
  • Teaches Oral Comm, Oral Interpretation of Literature, Argumentation & Debate, Group Comm, Interpersonal Comm, Intercultural Comm
  • Fun Fact - I have over 1 million followers on social media.
  • Pronouns: He/Him

 

Faina, Joseph
  • BA Cal State Long Beach, MA Arizona State University, PhD University of Texas.  Studied communication, rhetoric, media, and performance.
  • Teaches Oral Comm, Argumentation & Debate, Critical Thinking, Group Comm
  • Fun Fact - I play a lot of video games and go to a lot of Dodger games.
  • Pronouns: He/Him

 

Professor Josh Miller
  • AA LA Valley College, BA Cal State LA, MA Cal State LA. Studied public speaking, performance studies.
  • Teaches Oral Comm, Argumentation & Debate, Critical Thinking, Forensics
  • Speech Team (Forensics) Coach
  • Pronouns: He/Him
  • Fun Fact: I have close to 100 bonsai trees and have tried over 300 rums.

 

Professor Duane Smith Selfie
  • AA Los Angeles Valley College, BS Northern Arizona, MA Cal State LA.  I love all things related to speech...the greatest of all human attributes.
  • Teaches Public Speaking, Argumentation, Interpersonal Communication, Intercultural Communication, Forensics
  • Department Chair
  • Pronouns: He/Him
  • Not A Robot Fun Fact: I am horrible at taking selfies.

 

 

  • BSE Arizona State University, MA Cal State LA.  Studied rhetoric, media, international business, engineering.
  • Teaches Oral Comm, Argumentation & Debate, Critical Thinking, Forensics, Group Comm
  • Forensics coach, LAVC Speech Team
  • Fun Fact - Proud union member of AFT-1521 and SAG-AFTRA
  • Pronouns: He/Him

 

Roana Thornock
  • BA University of Colorado, MA University of Denver. Studied interpersonal and group communication, computer mediated communication.
  • Teaches Interpersonal & Group Comm
  • Fun Fact - I have two golden retriever dogs that fill our house with chaos and love!
  • Pronouns: She/Her

 

LAVC Forensics (Speech & Debate) Team

On the LAVC Forensics team students research and prepare a variety of speeches, performances, and debate topics for competition against other community colleges and universities in Southern California (with occasional travel to other parts of the country). Members of the team learn to develop their voice and advocacy skills in speaking out on important social issues.  The team is connected to the COM department with many professors having a background and experience in speech and debate.

Enroll in COM 106 to learn more!

Schedule, Catalog, & 2 Year Schedule

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