Criteria for
Courses Satisfying Part B of the General Education Communication Requirement
(As updated by the Communications Implementation Committee, 1997-2000; revised
by Gen Ed subcommittee, 2002-03 and approved by UAPC on 26 June 2003)
Purpose: The second
Communication course will be a low-enrollment course involving substantial instruction
in the four modes of literacy (that is, speaking, reading, writing, and listening),
with emphasis on speaking and writing, either in the conventions of specific
fields or in more advanced courses in communication.
Objectives: Specific
objectives will vary with each discipline, but each course is expected to develop
advanced skills in
critical reading, logical thinking,
and the use of evidence
the use of appropriate style
and disciplinary conventions in writing and speaking
the productive use of core library
resources specific to the discipline
Requirements: Specific
requirements will vary, but each course is expected to include:
numerous assignments [6-8 would
be ideal], spaced through the semester, that culminate in oral or written
presentations. The balance between oral and written presentations may vary,
as appropriate to the discipline, so long as the total amount of graded communication
remains reasonably consistent from course to course. In a course with a 50/50
balance, students should submit at least 20 pages of writing (in multiple
assignments) and give 2 or more formal oral presentations totaling at least
10 minutes. In a course with the maximum emphasis on writing (75%), students
should submit at least 30 pages of writing and give 2 or more formal oral
presentations totaling at least 5 minutes. Drafts count in the total number
of pages.
at least two opportunities for
each student to be graded for oral communication as well as two or more opportunities
to be graded for writing. Comm-B courses should also include informal, ungraded
oral communication activities that give students further opportunities to
develop and receive feedback on their speaking skills. (Please refer to the document, "Strategies for Integrating Oral Communication into the Comm-B Course" for ideas about how to increase instruction in oral communication.)
at least two assignments that
require students to submit a draft or give a practice speech, assimilate feedback
on it, and then revise it. Additional opportunities for feedback and revision
would be better yet.
at least one individual conference
with each student, preferably early in the semester, to discuss the student's
writing and/or speaking.
Prerequisites: Successful
completion of or exemption from first communication course. Courses designated
As satisfying Part A of the requirement may not be used to satisfy Part B of
the requirement.
Class size: Recommended
20 or fewer students. Those departments or individuals requesting approval for
courses with larger class size must clearly demonstrate how the objectives and
requirements of the course can be satisfied within the larger format.
Instructors: Faculty
and other qualified instructional staff
Assessment: There
will be normal evaluations of student work by individual instructors. In addition,
each course proposal shall include an assessment plan designed to demonstrate
that the course meets the objectives and requirements stated above.
