In survey after survey, UMN students articulate their preference for assignments that seem authentic, that explicitly extend beyond academic classrooms. Instructors, likewise, aim to foster communication skills their students can leverage later, as they go on to participate in civic discourse, translate important technical information for non-technical readers, or inspire audiences to look carefully at works of art or literature. Asked to communicate with readers beyond their courses, students recognize the importance of transparent reasoning, relatable examples and analogies, concrete description, and cogent distillations. 

Panelists in this discussion will describe writing activities that invite students from across the disciplines to communicate to and for public audiences.

Facilitator: Pamela Flash (Director, Writing Across the Curriculum)

Panelists:  Sarah Hobbie (Ecology, Evolution, & Behavior), Karen Mary Davalos (Chicano Studies), Jeannine Ouellette (School of Public Health, Linda Buturian (Curriculum & Instruction), Ross VeLure Roholt (Youth Studies)

Audience: Faculty, instructors, and graduate students
Format: On-campus panel and discussion, remote attendance will not be offered