Public speaking courses teach students how to give live, effective presentations to a public audience. Public speaking essentials are taught, including how to maintain proper eye contact, position the body and effectively use voice to command attention. Students are trained to speak clearly and prepare concise material. In-class participation is mandatory so students can practice giving presentations to peers.
Written communication is an integral part of communication, so writing courses are offered through college communication departments. Such courses train students on becoming better business writers. Students develop writing skills by participating in writing labs and gaining experience with drafting news articles or business correspondence.
The communication industry is subject to U.S. laws. Communication law classes teach students about legal issues that apply to communication. The freedom of speech, for instance, is a legal matter that causes much controversy within mass media and what is, or isn't, socially acceptable in song lyrics or speeches. Courses in communication law review how the communication industry is regulated and monitored, and how it impacts creativity.
Social communication courses teach college students about how the communication industry responds to social issues, such as gender, racism, the economy and globalism, and how such issues exist within the field. Culture is another aspect that shapes communication, so this, too, is studied in social communication courses.
Communication majors will study communication theories in courses that focus on particular theories, such as the mass communication, human communication and rhetoric. Students examine the theoretical concepts to understand how they impact or define the communication industry.
Communication technology is progressive. New forms of communication take rise with the help of the Internet and other platforms. Modern communication classes teach college students about current trends and what communication may look like in the future. These courses familiarize students with modern communication mediums.