Seeing the Forest Through the Trees: A Challenge Facing Communication Across the Curriculum Programs

Abstract

Communication across the curriculum programs (CXCPs) are designed to increase student communication competence and enhance student learning. Yet, the designs and structures of such programs are inherently problematic when they fail to account for discipline-specific communication practices. This essay examines the challenge of maintaining the integrity of multiple disciplines when communication gets taken across the curriculum. Feminist paradigms provide an analytical framework to critique existing CXCP practices regarding needs assessment, instructional materials, and evaluation forms. Published and unpublished literature as well as actual program materials provide data for analysis. The essay concludes with suggestions for future program directions and research.

Keywords:

• Communication Across The Curriculum
• General Education
• Communication Skills
• Feminist Paradigm