ASU COM 100: Introduction to Human Communication
COM 100 surveys the field of human communication — interpersonal, small group, organizational, intercultural, and mass communication, plus core theories and research methods. It's a high-enrollment gen-ed staple at ASU, running constantly on campus and in 7.5-week online sessions.
Fennie is independent and not affiliated with Arizona State University. This is an unofficial study guide.
Build my COM 100 study planWhat makes it hard
It reads as an easy A and mostly is — until the exams, where dozens of theories and named concepts blur together and multiple-choice questions hinge on distinguishing look-alike terms. The volume of vocabulary across contexts is the real workload, and in compressed online sessions the weekly reading-quiz-discussion cadence punishes drifting.
What you'll cover
- • Communication models and theory
- • Verbal and nonverbal communication
- • Interpersonal communication
- • Small group and organizational communication
- • Intercultural communication
- • Mass communication and media
The COM 100 study guide
How to study for ASU COM 100, step by step.
- 1
Flashcard theories with examples attached
COM 100's exams hinge on distinguishing look-alike theories and terms. For every concept, card the definition plus a concrete example — the example is what separates it from its neighbors on test day.
- 2
Keep the weekly cadence honest
Readings, quizzes, and discussion posts arrive every week, doubled in 7.5-week sessions. The points are easy but only exist if submitted — treat the weekly rhythm as the grade it is.
- 3
Practice scenario classification
Exam questions describe an interaction and ask which concept it illustrates. Quiz yourself with scenarios for each theory rather than re-reading definitions that already feel familiar.
- 4
Review across units before exams
Theories from different contexts — interpersonal, group, mass — get tested side by side and blur when crammed. A weekly pass through older units keeps them separated cheaply.
- 5
Turn the term list into a plan with Fennie
Upload your COM 100 materials and Fennie generates flashcards per unit, schedules spaced review in a Daily Plan paced to quizzes and exams, and drills the scenario-style questions the tests favor. It's free to start.
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How Fennie helps with COM 100
Fennie's Daily Plans keep COM 100's weekly cadence and vocabulary load both on track — readings and quiz prep scheduled, flashcards spaced so theories from week two survive to the final. Practice quizzes use the scenario format the exams favor: which concept does this interaction illustrate?
FAQ
Is COM 100 at ASU easy?
It's one of the friendlier gen-eds, but the exams have real vocabulary volume — dozens of theories that blur without spaced review. Students who keep the weekly rhythm and flashcard as they go get the easy A; crammers leave points behind.
What does COM 100 cover?
A survey of the communication field: core theories and models, verbal and nonverbal communication, and the major contexts — interpersonal, small group, organizational, intercultural, and mass media.
Does COM 100 involve public speaking?
No — it's a survey lecture course, not a performance course. Speech delivery lives in other COM courses; COM 100 is readings, quizzes, discussions, and exams.
Pass COM 100 with a plan, not a cram
Upload your COM 100 materials and Fennie generates a Daily Plan paced to your deadline — plus chat, flashcards, and quizzes built from the actual course content.
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