Communication Studies & Teacher Education

You may visit the individual areas of study that make up our department below.

The Communication Studies major at Los Angeles Pierce College provides opportunities for a robust and well-rounded study of human communication. The field of Communication Studies is an ideal major for those students who have a desire or interest in better understanding human interaction. The major explores the communication between humans from multiple perspectives and areas. We explore the social, cultural, organizational, educational, and political aspects of human communication within a local, regional, national and international platform.

Additionally, we offer an tutoring services, Sigma Chi Eta Honor Society, The Communication Association (student run organization), and a myriad of resources for our students. The Faculty in our Department believe in fostering life-long learning in connection with practicum and social engagement.

Pierce Collage Department of Communication Studies
Communication Studies
Communication Studies
Communication Studies

Commmunication Resources

A peer tutor with additional training has been assigned to your course to facilitate peer-assisted learning. That peer tutor works closely with your instructor or your department liaison to identify the common learning needs for students enrolled in your course. That peer tutor then facilitates peer-assisted learning through several venues.

  • Tutoring is free!
  • Tutors will be in the Center for Academic Success (CAS) during assigned hours.
  • Tutors are available to respond to simpler questions via email or Canvas.
  • For more complex questions, visit your tutor in the CAS.
  • Tutors may attend in-class lectures and activities from time to time.
  • Tutors may have a Facebook page set up for your course.

 

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Center for Academic Success
Library & Learning Crossroads Building
1st Floor, Room 5130
Phone: (818) 719-6414
CAS website

Communication Scholarships


The Brownlee Scholarship
The Brownlee Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding Communication Studies student each spring.
Two scholarships will be awarded each year.
Award Amount: $1000
 



The Communication Studies Department Scholarship
The Communication Studies Department Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding student who exhibits leadership skills and engaged in the Pierce College community.
Award Amount: $500
 
 

 
The Bill Buchynski Spirit Scholarshi
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The Bill Buchynski Spirit Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding student who exhibits the enthusiasm and spirit of a true Pierce College scholar.  Award Amount: $100

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR INSTRUCTORS FOR THE APPLICATIONS OR THE DEPARTMENT CHAIR

SPEECH TOURNAMENT

The Communication Studies faculty have hosted an annual competitive Speech Tournament since 2013. Taking place at the end of our spring semester, the tournament is open to all students in our introductory public speaking classes. It provides an opportunity for students to showcase some of their best work prepared and delivered in these classes.

Students choose their own topics in either informative or persuasive speaking categories. Typically 75 to 100 students participate as speakers, and the audience of fellow students cheering them on numbers as many as 400. Throughout the day, the best speakers escalate to the final round in our Great Hall. The top three win cash prizes and trophies awarded from our Associated Students Organization.

Students who initially feared public speaking, but through the course grow in self-confidence, critical thinking and communication skill, step up and challenge themselves to master oratory outside the classroom. Win or lose, everyone reports that the tournament is a great experience.

Meet the Communication Faculty

Robert Loy Jr. was raised in the Northeast San Fernando Valley and now lives in Woodland Hills, CA. He completed his undergraduate coursework at California State University Northridge, majoring in Communication Studies and later attained a Master’s Degree in the same discipline in 2014. While at CSU Northridge, Robert was the recipient of the 2014 Outstanding Teaching Associate Award, the Dean’s Outstanding Graduate Student Award, and the Dedicated Service to Forensics, Speech and Debate Team Award. Robert has been active in the speech and debate community for 9 years as a competitor, graduate coach, and as Assistant Director of Forensics.

His debate students have won numerous awards and have traveled to regional, national, and international tournaments, including a five-city tour of China. As an undergraduate competitor himself, Robert was President and Debate Captain of the Matador Speech and Debate team, along with being recognized with several individual and debate team awards along the way. When not teaching at the college level, Robert enjoys working with middle and high school students. He directs various public speaking and leadership summer camps at UCLA, UC Berkeley, and Stanford University, volunteer coaches Academic Decathlon teams, and aims to support more Urban Debate League tournaments whenever he can. Robert Loy Jr. is very excited to join the Brahma Bull family as full-time faculty in the Department of Communication Studies. He teaches Public Speaking, Argumentation and Debate, Small Group Communication at Pierce College and has taught Rhetorical Discourse and Intercultural Communication at other colleges. He welcomes any and all questions about what the major can do for you!

Picture of Professor Loy

Yeprem Davoodian is a full-time faculty member in the Department of Communication Studies at Los Angeles Pierce College. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Communication Studies from California State University, Northridge. Prior to being hired as a tenure track faculty, he taught at Pierce College (since 2007), Santa Monica College, Pasadena Community College, and California State University, Northridge. Furthermore, he was the Coordinator in the Office of International and Exchange Student Center at CSUN where he developed and implemented educational and social programming for the University’s international student population. Yeprem has taught courses in Group Communication, Non-Native Public Speaking, Public Speaking, Argumentation, and Interpersonal Communication. He enjoys cycling, antiquing, and spending time with family and friends. 

Picture of Professor Davoodian

Sally Arek Kassamanian is a tenured faculty member in the Department of Communication Studies at Los Angeles Pierce College. Sally graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Communication Studies from California State University in Northridge. She's been teaching Communication Studies courses since 2006 and has taught at various schools such as California State University Northridge, Los Angeles Mission College, College of the Canyons, and Brandman University. Sally began teaching alongside her esteemed Communication Studies colleagues at Pierce College in 2008 and became a full-time faculty member in 2013. She has taught a variety of courses including public speaking, advanced public speaking, interpersonal communication, argumentation, intercultural communication, small group communication, introduction to communication studies, as well as various online and hybrid courses. Sally serves on the Pierce College Diversity Committee and enjoys nothing more than helping her students succeed. 

 

Picture of Professor Kassamanian

 

IN THE NEWS

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May 11, 2018
In the Hot Box: Speech Tournament 2018
Hosted by Mareo Lawson


The Bull Maganize Logo

November 28, 2017
Dig in, let your voice be heard with Loy
Robert Loy, Communication Studies Professor

 

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COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATION

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@email
Follow Communications Association on Instagram

CAMPUS PAPER

Los Angeles Pierce College Roundup Logo

March 13, 2019
Making a connection is the key to success
Professor Lori Travis

May 16, 2018
Words Mean Nothing Without Weight - 6th Annual Speech Tournament
Professor Michelle Silver

November 14, 2017
Communication is the Key
Communication Association, Professor Robert Loy

September 20, 2017
Converse with the Diverse
Communication Cafe, Professor Lori Travis

May 24, 2017
Public Speaking Put to the Test - 5th Annual Speech Tournament
Professor Michelle Silver

 

 

Contact Information

Contact

Chair: Yeprem P. Davoodian
Email: @email
Phone: (818) 710-4177

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