Summer Springboard
Communication & Society
ON THE CAMPUS OF CAL POLY SLO
MASTER COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR A MORE EQUITABLE AND COMPASSIONATE WORLD
THIS IS A TWO-WEEK PROGRAM WHERE YOU’LL FOCUS ON ONE COURSE FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION.
Communication & Society @ Cal Poly SLO
- Analyze and evaluate news and media.
- Exercise creative, respectful and critical thought during group communication.
- Learn the importance of speaking, presenting and advocating in society.
- Compose oral and written arguments that advocate on issues of social importance using sound reasoning and evidence.
- Understand the dimensions of critical thinking and how to utilize it in human communication.
Summer Springboard
Communication & Society
About This Course
This two-week program at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo equips students with advanced communication tools grounded in social awareness and civic responsibility.
This course is designed to help students learn how to make a positive impact on the world through their personal and professional lives. Topics include social identities such as gender, race, ethnicity, how to navigate conversations and discussions on controversial topics, and the importance of social emotional intelligence. A focus on advocacy and the helping professions will also be emphasized. Interpersonal communication such as dealing with conflict, dealing with rejection/loss, how to develop, maintain and end relationships will be discussed.
Students will explore and engage with concepts that encourage critical thinking about identities, society and a vision for a more compassionate, empathetic and equitable world.
TOPICS YOU'LL EXPLORE
Hands-on Learning
Students engage in discussions and group projects where they apply public speaking and argumentative writing techniques to real-world social issues.
Career Exploration
Students will visit the Mayor’s office and a local non-profit organization.
RESOURCES
Course Infosheet
Click here to view or download the printable infosheet for this course.
Program Catalog
Click here to request our catalog to learn more about our summer programs and courses.
Campus Page
Click here to view the website page for this campus and learn more.
“Summer Springboard was such a great time and I believe I have met some lifelong friends here. I really got to know the career path I want to pursue.”
– Sophia W. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Communication & Society
Meet Your Instructor
Dr. Christina Kaviani is a lecturer in Communications Studies and Women’s, Gender & Queer Studies (WGQS) at Cal Poly and has over a decade of experience in the field of gender- based violence prevention education and response. She currently teaches public speaking, argumentative writing and interpersonal communication.
She has a PhD in Philosophy from the Fielding Graduate University, her Masters of Arts in Student Counseling and Personnel Services is from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and she holds her Bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Cruz in Sociology.
DR. CHRISTINA KAVIANI
“The Summer Springboard program is a great chance to learn more about different fields of education and the college experience, while also meeting new people.”
– E. Watanabe | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Communication & Society
Dates & Tuition
| 2027 Dates |
|---|
| Session 3: July 18 – July 30, 2027 |
Click here to enroll in this course using our online enrollment form.
| Tuition |
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| Residential Tuition: $5,398* |
| Commuter Tuition: $2,998* |
*Apply by November 30 to lock in the lowest prices of the year. Tuition increases on December 1.
Tuition Protection Plan: Allows for cancellation for any reason up until the day of the program.
| Location |
|---|
| City: San Luis Obispo |
| State: California |
| Campus: Cal Poly SLO |
Summer Springboard programs are not run by our campus partners (with the exception of Cal Poly and NYSID which are run in partnership with SSB). Universities and their affiliated departments and partners do not control and are not responsible or liable in any manner for any part of the Summer Springboard program.