COMMUNICATION & PSYCHOLOGY
Positive Psychology (COMM102)
Positive Psychology is the academic field that studies optimal human functioning. Students will learn scientifically proven techniques to lead happier and more fulfilling lives.
Course topics include:
Identifying positive experiences, traits, and virtues to cultivate what is best about ourselves
Optimism, positive emotions, and focus as a means to better physical health
The consequences of chasing perfectionism and the benefits of pursuing excellence instead
The components of lasting relationships and sustainable self-esteem
Alan Bisarya, Ed.M. taught Positive Psychology at Harvard University, where over 1000 students enrolled, with most students finding the course life-changing. In recognition of his work, Alan was nominated for the prestigious Joseph R. Levenson Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching at Harvard. Alan holds a Master’s in Education degree from Harvard University and a B.A. in Economics from Stanford University.
Alan Bisarya
Mondays, Nov. 9 to Dec. 7, 7:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Foothill College
Room: 3203
$125
Being Effective with Challenging Behaviors and Situations
(COMM 103)
Stressful situations and “challenging” people always seem to show up in our lives, creating anxiety and discomfort. Soon we find ourselves becoming aggressive, defensive or just going blank and often thinking afterwards....“Why didn’t I...” or “I should have...”. This class will discuss:
- The four common kinds of challenging people
- The four common response traps
- Turning conflict into cooperation, or at least resolution
- Staying centered, listening effectively and responding assertively
- Recognizing when to stay and when to leave
- Techniques to be more effective with
anyone, anytime
Bring a sack lunch.
Danni Burton
Saturday, October 17, 9:30am-4:30pm
Location: De Anza College
Room: L-34
$99 (Additional $5 materials fee payable to instructor during class)
Assertive Management (COMM 104)
There is no such thing as a successful, but non-assertive manager! Each manager will bring his/her own personality style to each new position they go to. At times when others rub us the wrong way, or become overbearing with us, we may become too “bossy” or not speak up and avoid issues.
This class will discuss:
- How to recognize and understand how others interpret assertiveness
- How to avoid becoming overbearing or angry to gain feedback or productivity
- Saying no and disagreeing without making “you right and them wrong”
- Why “nice guys” have less productivity and poor morale with their people
- Delegating, negotiating agreements, and clarifying goals in clear terms
Participants will gain insights into ways to be consistently assertive and build teamwork and cooperation while maintaining their own sense of well-being. Bring a sack lunch.
Danni Burton
Saturday, October 31, 9:30am-4:30pm
Location: De Anza College
Room: L-34
$99 (Additional $5 materials fee payable to instructor during class)
Professional Business Writing
(COMM 105)
Do you struggle with writing clear business memos? Do emails drive you crazy? Has your boss ever asked you for an executive summary? Help is here! In this course you will learn how to avoid common mistakes in grammar and punctuation; how to write different types of memos, emails, and summaries; how to address different audiences; and how to edit and proofread documents. You will develop a writing process—learning how to move from a blank page to a polished product. Feel good about writing and impress your colleagues! Nothing is more powerful than a well-written page. Class taught by a College Instructor or Professional Trainer. This is not a beginning level writing class; students should have strong command of English grammar.
Class size is limited to twelve students – enroll today!
Communication Academy
Mondays, Sept., 28 to Nov. 2, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Location: Communication Academy, 7337 Bollinger Road, Suite #E, Cupertino, CA 95014
$295 (Additional $15 materials fee payable to the instructor during class)
Professional Public Speaking
(COMM 106)
Indisputable! Good communication is the MOST DESIRABLE skill in corporate America.
This class brings the corporate-quality public speaking class to professionals looking to improve their presentation skills. This is the perfect workshop for professionals who want their presentations remembered as confident, clear, credible, convincing, and compelling but don’t have the time to attend a full term class. This workshop will include: planning your speech, vocal delivery, non-verbal communication, using visual aids, as well as multiple practice opportunities recorded on DVD and immediate feedback. Each workshop is tailored to the participants’ terminology, environment, and business objectives. Skills-building small group workshops led by an experienced instructor and expert communication trainer/coach. Small class of 12 students allows ample PERSONAL COACHING. Formal speeches are recorded on DVD and given to students. Classes are taught on-site at Communication Academy in Cupertino.
Communication Academy
Tuesdays, Sept. 29 to Nov. 3, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Location: Communication Academy, 7337 Bollinger Road, Suite #E, Cupertino, CA 95014
$295 (Additional $25 materials fee payable to the instructor during class)
Voice Dynamics (COMM 107)
Learn to control the sound of your voice and your style of speaking. Develop a confident, professional voice for business and a more pleasant sounding voice for your personal life. Dramatically improve the quality, pitch and volume of the way you speak. Learn tips on how to be taken seriously and how to avoid interruptions. Improve your poise and increase self-confidence through voice dynamics!
Carolyn Franklin
Tues., Oct. 6 to Oct. 27, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Foothill College
Room: 5982
$149 (Additional $5 materials fee payable to instructor during class)
How to Talk With Just About Anyone! (COMM 108)
Do you feel nervous when meeting someone for the first time? Or do you feel you have nothing to say after the introductions? Whether your difficulty lies in breaking the ice, continuing a conversation, or politely moving on when there is nothing more to say, you can learn skills that will make conversations a welcome and fun pastime.
Attend this informal, informative session and learn techniques such as picking up clues, reading between the lines, understanding body language, unspoken words, and gestures. These techniques are applicable to both social and business situations and can enable you to hold interesting conversations with practically anyone at any time. Teenagers also welcome!
Carolyn Kellams
Saturday, October 10, 1:00pm-5:00pm
Location: De Anza College
Room: L-73
$59
The Winning Interview: Interview Success Secrets (COMM 109)
Did you know most jobs are not offered to the best qualified, but to the one who interviewed best? In this very tough job market, it’s more important than ever to stand out from the crowd. Come to this hands-on workshop and learn how to develop the confidence, poise, and communication skills necessary to achieve interview success.
Topics include:
Six ways to develop a winning first impression
How to prepare for over twenty of the most common and difficult questions
Turning your weaknesses into strengths
Five keys to successful salary negotiation
Winning words, tone, attire, and body language
How to master the two most difficult moments
Dress for interview if you wish to receive a professional image analysis.
Bring two copies of your resume.
Preston Ni
Saturday, October 10, 9:00am-1:30pm
Location: Foothill College
Room: 1219
$59 (Additional $5 materials fee payable to the instructor during class)
Communication Success for Foreign Born Professionals (COMM 110)
Are you a foreign born professional looking to improve your communication skills? Do you have difficulties getting your message across clearly? Would you like to communicate more assertively? This workshop will provide some great tips on how you too can gain the communication savvy needed for that certain situation.
You will learn:
How to overcome accent difficulties in minutes
How to begin and maintain a stimulating conversation
Turning cultural differences into your strengths
Six critical body languages to exude confidence
Eight "must know" office networking strategies
Mastering people and conflict resolution skills
Essential keys to understanding and succeeding in the U.S. professional culture
Please bring a sack lunch.
Preston Ni
Saturday, October 17, 9:00am-4:00pm
Location: Foothill College
Room: 1219
$99 (Additional $5 materials fee payable to instructor during class)
The Secret Meaning of Body Language (COMM 111)
Have you ever wondered what others are really thinking or feeling behind the words they say? For years, body language has been used by law enforcement and trial attorneys to obtain vital information. In this presentation, learn how you too can recognize the "truth" behind body language.
You will learn:
"Signatures" which affect success and promotion
How eyes are truly windows to the soul
Five ways to establishing a winning, confident impression
How a handshake can reveal a person's true intentions
Keys to detect possible deception
Three gestures to neutralize size and height disadvantage
How to access short-term memory in an instant
Preston Ni
Saturday, November 14, 9:00am-Noon
Location: Foothill College
Room: 1219
$59
Speed Reading (COMM 112)
In this workshop you will learn how to:
- Increase your reading speed and boost your effectiveness
- Learn and practice the essentials of speed reading and skimming
- Read at the rate at which your brain can process information
- Discover how to actively focus and question, relating reading to your needs and interests
- Reach your potential and save time
Enrollment is limited to 15 students to provide individual attention. Appropriate for high school students and above. Please bring a sack lunch.
Prof. Norman Prince
Saturday, October 31, 9:00am-4:00pm
Location: De Anza College
Room: G-6
$99 (Additional $15 materials fee payable to instructor during class)
Grammar Brush-up for Busy People (COMM 113)
Improve your writing, revising and speaking skills!
Refresh your knowledge of how to:
- Compose complete sentences (subjects, complete verbs, complete thoughts)
- Correct or avoid fragments and run-ons
- Join sentences and ideas (coordination, subordination)
- Logically relate and connect ideas (transitions and signal words)
- Utilize different parts of speech correctly (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, etc.)
- Deal with agreement (singular vs. plural; subject and verb; pronoun and noun)
- Be consistent (tense, person)
Materials fee includes handbook, exercises/answers, access to website included to enable ongoing improvement. Emphasis on topics based, in part, on needs of participants as determined by a diagnostic test
Enrollment is limited to 15 participants to provide individual attention.
Please bring a sack lunch.
Prof. Norman Prince
Saturday, November 14, 9:00am-4:00pm
Location: De Anza College
Room: G-4
$99 (Additional $40 materials fee payable to instructor during class)
Build Your Vocabulary NOW!
(COMM 114)
The better your vocabulary, the better your chances are of being hired or promoted.
Improve your ability to:
- Understand what you read and hear
- Be understood in your speaking and writing
- Distinguish commonly confused words
- Recognize the multiple meanings of common words
Strategies
- Increase your knowledge of common word parts (prefixes, roots) to understand 1,000’s of common words
- Utilize context clues to unlock the meanings of 1,000’s of important words
- Improve your understanding of parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.) to learn several words at a time
- Use a dictionary, but only as a last resort
- Learn new words by creating flash cards instead of ineffective words lists
Includes a book with exercises and tests, access to a vocabulary improvement website, and handouts for aid in continuing vocabulary growth.
Enrollment is limited to 15 participants. Please bring a sack lunch.
Prof. Norman Prince
Saturday, November 21, 9:00am-4:00pm
Location: De Anza College
Room: G-6
$99 (Additional $20 materials fee payable to instructor during class)
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