COMM 1 – Principles of Oral Communications

Course Description

Lecture, four hours. Enforced requisite: satisfaction of Entry-Level Writing requirement. Examination of foundations of communication and public speaking. Consideration of number of basic theories related to study of communication and development of skills to enable composition and delivery of speeches in accordance with specific rhetorical concepts. Improvement of ability to analyze, organize, and critically think about communicative messages while becoming better equipped to articulate ideas. P/NP or letter grading.

About Prof. Marina Litvinsky

Marina Litvinsky is a professor, researcher and activist. She has a Ph.D. in Communication from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Marina teaches courses in argumentation, public speaking, international communication, media industries and public relations, among others. Her research has focused on community activism to resist the changes of gentrification and how residents’ consumption of media, or lack thereof, might help or hinder that. Marina has worked with and conducted research in various Los Angeles communities to better understand the residents’ perspectives of gentrification and its social and cultural effects. Prior to her Ph.D. work, Marina worked in communication for human rights organizations in Los Angeles, New York and Germany. Originally from Ukraine, she has traveled independently to over 40 countries.