Note to Faculty and Course Submitters working with IAI Courses:

Before submitting to the GECC Communications panel, please review the panel criteria and other important documents which are available at
Panel Related Documents
GECC Communication

IAI General Education Communication Course Descriptions

(Revised and Approved April 1, 2022)

Writing Sequence - Option 1 Writing Sequence - Option 2 Oral Communication
____________________________________________________________

The Writing Sequence

(6 semester credit hours)
The general education writing course sequence includes two courses that, each and as a sequence, guides students in developing their writing processes, growing their rhetorical knowledge, and practicing their research skills. Students must produce a minimum of 5,000 words in formal, revised writing assignments in each course. One of these two courses must include a significant research component, but institutions may structure that research course (the “R” designation) as the first or second course. The IAI designations will then be applied as follows:

C1900 and C1901(R) (with the “R” designation in the second course)
OR
C1900(R) and C1901 (with the “R” designation in the first course)

Requirements of these courses are detailed below. The panel has compared the IAI GECC C1 901R descriptor against the AP English Language & Composition and AP English Literature & Composition exams and determined there is not a match. Feb 2016
____________________________________________________________

Option 1: C1900 and C1901(R) (with the “R” designation in the second course)
____________________________________________________________

C1900 Writing Course Sequence – Semester 1 (3 semester credits)
In this option, C1900 is the first course in a two-course sequence and should prepare students for C1901(R). Learning outcomes should be addressed in each course and together as a sequence. Students will develop their writing processes, write for a variety of audiences and purposes, practice writing with sources, and more.

Each student must produce a minimum of 5,000 words of formal, revised writing, and these formal
assignments must comprise at least 60% of the final grade for the course. At minimum, students must
compose four formal, revised writing assignments. At least one formal assignment must be 1,250
words minimum. For additional course requirements, see the Course Approval Criteria.

Upon successful completion of C1900 (which requires grades of C or better for students entering in
Summer 1999 and beyond), students should achieve the competencies listed below. The student is
expected to:

1. examine, analyze, and compose a variety of texts, considering features such as genre, purpose,
audience, discourse community, and cultural context;
2. employ flexible writing processes, including various invention, drafting, revising, editing,
and proofreading strategies; using relevant, available technologies; and revising based on regular
peer and instructor feedback;
3. apply an understanding of rhetorical situations (how audience, purpose, author, and message
interact) and rhetorical appeals when engaging in writing and reading as social practices and forms
of communication;
4. select, evaluate, and interpret a variety of sources and integrate the writer’s ideas with
those of the sources;
5. demonstrate an understanding of citation methodology and an ability to use one or more
citation styles appropriate to the genre and audience;
6. demonstrate an understanding of language conventions and the ability to make
informed choices that reflect the purposes and aims of the rhetorical situation.

C1901R Writing Course Sequence – Semester 2 (3 semester credits)
In the option, C1901(R) is the second course in a two-course sequence and should build on the learning outcomes and skills developed in C1900. Learning outcomes should be addressed in each course and together as a sequence. Students will develop their writing processes, write for a variety of audiences and purposes, practice writing with sources, and more. This course should complete these requirements at a more advanced level.

Each student must produce a minimum of 5,000 words of formal, revised writing, and these formal assignments must comprise at least 60% of the final grade for the course. This R-designated course must include production of documented, multi-source writing in one or two formal assignments for a combined total of at least 2,500 words in the final version. At minimum, students will compose three formal, revised writing assignments. For additional course requirements, see the Course Approval Criteria.

Upon successful completion of C1901(R) (which requires grades of C or better for students entering in Summer 1999 and beyond), students should achieve the competencies listed below. The student is expected to:

1. examine, analyze, and compose a variety of texts, considering features such as genre, purpose, audience, discourse community, and cultural context;
2. employ flexible writing processes, including various invention, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading strategies; using relevant, available technologies; and revising based on regular peer and instructor feedback;
3. apply an understanding of rhetorical situations (how audience, purpose, author, and message interact) and rhetorical appeals when engaging in writing and reading as social practices and forms of communication;
4. select, evaluate, and interpret a variety of sources and integrate the writer’s ideas with those of the sources;
5. conduct inquiry-based research by formulating research questions; identifying secondary sources (e.g., utilizing internet and library resources); and evaluating and integrating secondary sources into writing, including using sources as evidence in researched arguments;
6. demonstrate an understanding of citation methodology and an ability to use one or more citation styles appropriate to the genre and audience;
7. demonstrate an understanding of language conventions and the ability to make informed choices that reflect the purposes and aims of the rhetorical situation.

____________________________________________________________

Option 2: C1900(R) and C1901 (with the “R” designation in the first course)
____________________________________________________________

C1900(R) Writing Course Sequence – Semester 1 (3 semester credits)
In the option, C1900(R) is the first course in a two-course sequence and should prepare students for C1901. Learning outcomes should be addressed in each course and together as a sequence. Students will develop their writing processes, write for a variety of audiences and purposes, practice writing with sources, and more.

Each student must produce a minimum of 5,000 words of formal, revised writing, and these formal assignments must comprise at least 60% of the final grade for the course. This R-designated course must include production of documented, multi-source writing in one or two formal assignments for a combined total of at least 2,500 words in the final version. At minimum, students will compose three formal, revised writing assignments. For additional course requirements, see the Course Approval Criteria.

Upon successful completion of C1900(R) (which requires grades of C or better for students entering in Summer 1999 and beyond), students should achieve the competencies listed below. The student is expected to:

1. examine, analyze, and compose a variety of texts, considering features such as genre, purpose, audience, discourse community, and cultural context;
2. employ flexible writing processes, including various invention, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading strategies; using relevant, available technologies; and revising based on regular peer and instructor feedback;
3. apply an understanding of rhetorical situations (how audience, purpose, author, and message interact) and rhetorical appeals when engaging in writing and reading as social practices and forms of communication;
4. select, evaluate, and interpret a variety of sources and integrate the writer’s ideas with those of the sources;
5. conduct inquiry-based research by formulating research questions; identifying secondary sources (e.g., utilizing internet and library resources); and evaluating and integrating secondary sources into writing, including using sources as evidence in researched arguments;
6. demonstrate an understanding of citation methodology and an ability to use one or more citation styles appropriate to the genre and audience;
7. demonstrate an understanding of language conventions and the ability to make informed choices that reflect the purposes and aims of the rhetorical situation.

C1901 Writing Course Sequence – Semester 2 (3 semester credits)
In this option, C1901 is the second course in a two-course sequence and should build on the learning outcomes and skills developed in C1900(R). Learning outcomes should be addressed in each course and together as a sequence. Students will develop their writing processes, write for a variety of audiences and purposes, practice writing with sources, and more. This course should complete these requirements at a more advanced level.

Each student must produce a minimum of 5,000 words of formal, revised writing, and these formal assignments must comprise at least 60% of the final grade for the course. At minimum, students will compose four formal, revised writing assignments. At least one formal assignment must be 1,250 words minimum. For additional course requirements, see the Course Approval Criteria.

Upon successful completion of C1901 (which requires grades of C or better for students entering in Summer 1999 and beyond), students should achieve the competencies listed below. The student is expected to:

1. examine, analyze, and compose a variety of texts, considering features such as genre, purpose, audience, discourse community, and cultural context;
2. employ flexible writing processes, including various invention, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading strategies; using relevant, available technologies; and revising based on regular peer and instructor feedback;
3. apply an understanding of rhetorical situations (how audience, purpose, author, and message interact) and rhetorical appeals when engaging in writing and reading as social practices and forms of communication;
4. select, evaluate, and interpret a variety of sources and integrate the writer’s ideas with those of the sources;
5. demonstrate an understanding of citation methodology and an ability to use one or more citation styles appropriate to the genre and audience;
6. demonstrate an understanding of language conventions and the ability to make informed choices that reflect the purposes and aims of the rhetorical situation.

____________________________________________________________

IAI GECC Course Descriptions Summary Table

	Course Sequence Option 1		Course Sequence Option 2
COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR:	C1900	C1900R	C1901R	C1901
Syllabus must indicate: “A “C” or better in the course is required to receive IAI credit”	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Minimum total word count across formal, revised writing	5,000	5,000	5,000	5,000
Minimum number of formal, revised writing assignments	4	3	3	4
Minimum length for one formal, revised assignment	1,250	NA	NA	1,250
Minimum length for documented, multi- source writing in one or two formal, revised assignments	NA	2,500	2,500	NA
Syllabus must indicate: “Students must receive a “D” or higher on the research assignment to earn a “C” in the course”	N/A	Yes	Yes	N/A
Formal, revised writing assignments must comprise at least 60% of the final course grade	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

C2900: Oral Communication

(3-semester credits)

The following is revised C2 900 course description, effective Fall 2012, which includes the addition of an online speech course accommodation - 05/14/2012: The panel updated expectation and criteria for the online speech course in Spring of 2022 which is reflected below. - 04/01/2022, effective of the fall of 2022

The oral communication course, either a traditional public speaking or a hybrid content course, combines communication theory with the practice of oral communication skills. The oral communication course: (1) develops awareness of the communication process; (2) provides inventional, organizational and expressive strategies; (3) promotes understanding of and adaptation to a variety of communication contexts; and (4) emphasizes critical skills in listening, reading, thinking and speaking.

Students are expected to prepare and deliver at least three substantive speeches, including both informative and persuasive assignments delivered extemporaneously. To be substantial, these speeches should be of sufficient length to allow for careful development of thought (an individual presentation of at least five continuous minutes and requires significant attention to invention and organization). At least one of the substantive speeches must include multiple credible sources that are verbally cited. The oral communication assignments (including speeches, outlines, self evaluations, and other speaking activities) must account for at least 50% of the final grade.

The face-to-face performance of the three substantial speeches with the class and the instructor serving as an in-class audience is the preferred method of instruction. Institutions may offer online sections or courses of C2 900 to supplement their face-to-face offerings. A fully online C2 900 course must meet all IAI oral communication guidelines and must also meet or exceed the following criteria:

SETTING	Students must perform in an appropriate environment that is free of visual and auditory distractions.
VENUE	The preferred venue is a workplace or community location (such as a classroom, library room, or conference room).
AUDIENCE	All three of the required speeches should be delivered in the presence of a live audience consisting of at least three people whose age is 16 years or older. Determination of audience size and time is at the discretion of the institution, although a clear evaluation structure is recommended. A 0 for failing to meet the audience and time requirements is not recommended. At least one of the three required speeches must be presented in front of a live audience located in the same room as the speaker, with the audience visible in the video recording throughout the entire presentation. Two of the required speeches may be presented live on a videoconferencing platform (such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams), with audience members’ faces visible to the speaker throughout the entire presentation. Audience members must be aware that they will be recorded or streamed live and that the video may be viewed by the instructor and the online class.
TECHNOLOGY	Institutions are responsible for ensuring that students taking a fully online course, or a course with online components, are provided information about the specific, necessary technology required to complete the course. Students taking a fully online course, or a course with online components, are expected to utilize appropriate technology.
VIDEO REQUIREMENTS	Recorded speeches may not be edited; recording must be done in one continuous take (without stopping and starting). Camera must be focused on the speaker so that the speaker’s face and body are clearly visible throughout the speech. Effective lighting must be used to ensure the visibility of the speaker. External ambient noise must be minimized to allow for clear reception of speaker’s voice.
PRIVACY	Student privacy must be protected by the institution.

Upon successful completion of the oral communication course, students should have attained at least the competencies in both theory and practice listed below.

Communication Theory--The student is expected to:

have a theoretical understanding of communication;
understand the relationships among self, message and others; and
understand the process of effective listening.

Communication Practice--The student is expected to:

phrase clear, responsible and appropriate purpose statements;
develop specific, well-focused thesis statements;
analyze an audience and situation, and then adapt a message to those needs;
generate ideas and gather supporting material;
incorporate material from various appropriate sources, using proper verbal citations;
use evidence, reasoning and motivational appeals in persuasive speaking;
prepare and use visual aids that promote clarity and interest;
organize and outline an effective message;
use language that is appropriate to enhance understanding and affect the desired result;
establish credibility by demonstrating knowledge and analysis of topic;
use extemporaneous delivery with reasonable fluency, expressiveness and comfort;
cope effectively with the tensions involved in public speaking;
demonstrate acceptable ethical standards in research and presentation of materials; and
listen to, analyze and critique oral communication.

REVISED 03/13/2026 - Clarification to Online Audience requirements. "at least 3 people" added to the information. Effective Fall 2026
Previous Revision to Online Speech Requirements made in Spring 2022 - 04/01/2022 - effective Fall 2022
Revision: Minor revisions/clarification 05/15/2019

Note to Faculty and Course Submitters working with IAI Courses:

Before submitting to the GECC Communications panel, please review the panel criteria and other important documents which are available at
Panel Related Documents
GECC Communication