As you read about in Chapter 1 there are five different communication forms or contexts. These communication contexts help us understand how messages are used in different types of interactions and arenas.

These contexts can also help us explore the different areas within communication studies.Click the icon for more information on SLCC's Communication Area of Study.

Communication Studies and Journalism & Digital Media make up this Area of Study.

Interpersonal Communication "is communication between people whose lives mutually influence one another. Interpersonal communication builds, maintains, and ends our relationships, and we spend more time engaged in interpersonal communication than the other forms of communication" (pg 7). There are many courses you can take that explore aspects of interpersonal communication at SLCC: COMM 2110: Interpersonal Communication COMM 1080: Conflict Management COMM 2150: Intercultural Communication

Group Communication " is communication among three or more people interacting to achieve a shared goal" (pg 8). Group communication is essential to the work place and educational environments. Most communication classes speak about this context, but there is also a course at SLCC dedicated to it: COMM 2170: Organization Communication

Public Communication "is a sender-focused form of communication in which one person is typically responsible for conveying information to an audience" (pg 9). This is what you may typically think of when hearing the word communication. Two traditional courses in communication studies can be found in the following two courses: COMM 1020: Public Speaking COMM 1270: Argumentation As social media continues to be popular this form of public communication is becoming more important to study. SLCC's department of Journalism & Digital Media teaches about this form of public communication in a variety of their classes, but if this interests you check out the course below: COMM 2400: Social Media Tools and Strategies

"Public communication becomes Mass communication when it is transmitted to many people through print or electronic media" (pg 10). The Journalism & Digital Media department is the place to learn about this form of communication. They offer many courses, but some of the introductory courses are as follows: COMM 1500: Media & Society COMM 1800: Digital Media Tools & Techniques COMM 2570: Intro to Visual Communication

Intrapersonal communication "is communication with oneself using internal vocalization or reflective thinking" (pg 6). Although there is not a specific course in this form of communication, you are practicing it each time you reflect. Reflection is important for anyone, but especially someone studying communication. If you cannot reflect on the theories being learned and apply them to your life, how would you expect to practically become better? Understanding the foundations of communication scholarship is a great step to becoming a more competent communicator. Learn foundations and more in the SLCC course offering below: COMM 2050: Perspectives in Communication