Short Courses

Short Courses are extended convention sessions that offer participants an intense, pedagogically driven experience. Short Course proposals may address theories or concepts, research practices or methods, pedagogical techniques, a specific teaching content area and other specialized topics of interest to communication teachers, practitioners, and scholars. The goal of any Short Course should be to enrich the knowledge base of the course participants within a well-structured/well-planned seminar atmosphere.

Proposal Requirements
Submitters should select Panel Discussion as the submission type for Short Courses in NCA Submission Central. Short Course proposals will be evaluated based on the compelling nature of the topic as well as the soundness of the underlying instructional plan. Providing sufficient detail in the proposal is necessary so that reviewers can adequately evaluate the intended topic, lesson plan, and the qualifications of the presenters. Therefore, it is REQUIRED that in addition to the required fields in NCA Submission Central, proposal submissions include an uploaded supporting document that provides information on the following topics:

(1).  Title of Short Course (not to exceed 30 characters for registration purposes)

(2).  Brief statement of purpose

(3).  Rationale addressing the importance of the topic and/or the integration of the convention theme

(4). Statement of target audience and attendance maximum/minimum (if applicable)

(5).  Anticipated outcomes for the participants

(6).  Instructional agenda for short course activities (e.g., a lesson plan)

(7).  Names, titles, contact information, and brief statement describing the expertise of course facilitators. Justification for the selection and number of instructors must be included in the proposal at the time of submission.

(8). A statement that identifies the Short Course as enhancing the use of a textbook or other instructional aid (if applicable).

Criteria for Short Courses
Short Courses will be reviewed using the following guidelines:

• Importance, contribution, and scope of topic to NCA members and the convention theme
• Appropriateness of target audience
• Quality of short course instructional design

Short Course instructors must provide and transport their own printed materials for the conference. Short course instructors may apply for up to $50 per short course reimbursement to cover material costs.

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission.  Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are available in the Convention Resource Library.

Click here to go to NCA Submission Central to begin your submission.

Questions regarding the content of proposals should be directed to J. Emmett Winn, Auburn University, winnjoh@auburn.edu.