Question: Do
Answer: Yes. The discipline would submit course information to the Gordon Rule Committee indicating that the course meets the established criteria. The proposal would be reviewed by the Gordon Rule Committee, presented by the discipline to the Academic Deans, and then would follow the CASSC process if recommended by the Academic Deans.
Question: Can courses not currently designated as Gordon Rule become Gordon Rule Writing courses?
Answer: Yes. The discipline would submit course information to the Gordon Rule Committee indicating that the course meets the established criteria. The proposal would be reviewed by the Gordon Rule Committee, presented by the discipline to the Academic Deans, and then would follow the CASSC process if recommended by the Academic Deans.
Question: Is there a procedure to remove the Gordon Rule writing designation from a course?
Answer: To remove the Gordon Rule designation from a course, the faculty of the discipline, which the course belongs, would recommend the removal of the GR writing designation from the course. Then the CASSC approval process has to be followed.
Question: Are there resources available to assist students in Gordon Rule Writing courses?
Answer: All campuses have Writing Labs/Centers, some with tutors and others with electronic resources.
Question: What is there to guide faculty in assessing students’ writing?
Answer: A college-wide rubric has been approved by CASSC, and this will be the instrument for assessing students’ writing.
Question: What resources are available to guide faculty in assessing students’ writing?
Answer: A college-wide rubric has been approved by CASSC, and this will be the instrument for assessing students’ writing. There are CIOL workshops on the use of the rubric for all Gordon Rule Writing faculty and adjuncts. Disciplines also have the option of developing discipline-specific rubrics.
Question: Will a final grade of “D” in a course count toward fulfilling the writing requirement?
Answer: The Florida Department of Education requires completion of Gordon Rule courses with at least a “C”.
Question: Does the Gordon Rule apply to AS students?
Answer: The Gordon Rule applies only to AA students; however, if an AS student is enrolled in a Gordon Rule course, the student must meet the Gordon Rule Writing requirement.
Question: Why have “multiple writing assignments” in disciplines other than composition?
Answer: Writing assignments are an integral part of the pedagogy of any discipline, helping students to demonstrate their grasp of the information through writing. Having multiple assignments allows for a formative process and opportunities for students to improve.
Question:The rubric doesn’t mention plagiarism.
Answer: The college’s policy on academic dishonesty can be found in the Manual of Procedure: Addressing Academic Dishonesty, and it is expected that faculty include references to that document in their syllabi.
Question:How can I best help students to produce writing that satisfies the Gordon Rule Writing Criteria?
Answer: By having a syllabus that lists the five Gordon Rule Criteria by which writing will be assessed. And creating challenging assignments that encourage students to write effectively (see sample assignments for ideas).