Satisfying Communication Requirement Guidelines

The Continuing Communication requirement moves students from broad and integrative understandings of writing, speaking, and other forms of communication of ideas and knowledge to a deeper understanding of communication within a specific content area or discipline.

Continuing Communication courses require that students use communication as a form of inquiry, invention, and reflection. Communication is a central focus of the course as demonstrated by the course assignments, which must reflect at least two different genres or modes of communication. Continuing Communication courses also focus on the process of communicating by incorporating approaches such as scaffolding, revision, reflection, and frequent feedback. 

Courses proposed for the Continued Communication must include or address the following components:

1. The syllabus must include the required learning objective and one optional learning objective for Continued Communication courses listed among any other course objectives.
2. The syllabus must demonstrate that communication is integral to the course and the learning process.
   1. At least three communication assignments are required. These might be parts of one large assignment, or discrete assignments tied to the goals of the course.
   2. Communication assignments must comprise at least 40% of the course grade.
3. The syllabus must include the Emory Writing Center syllabus statement.
4. Communication assignments must reflect at least two different modes/genres of communication in which students think about audience, voice, tone, and purpose.
5. The course must include evidence of an approach used to teach communications as a process, including:
   1. Scaffold assignments in stages
   2. Peer/instructor feedback on an assignment
   3. Revision on one or more assignments
   4. Students reflect on their communication processes and products
   5. Other ways of presenting a process of communication (provide brief explanation)

Courses approved for the Continued Communication requirement must meet the first objective and at least one additional objective.

1. Students use communication as a form of inquiry, invention, and reflection.

 Choice of at least one more objective:

2. Students communicate effectively for specified audiences in more than one genre, medium, or mode, such as written, oral, or visual modes.
3. Students use formal communication to contribute to a conversation in a discipline, profession, or field of study.
4. Students demonstrate critical awareness of the ethical, rhetorical, and/or ideological dimensions of communicating within and across communities.

The Emory College Writing Program has developed a list of sample assignments that could contribute to the communication assignments for courses offered under the Continued Communication GER.