Basic Course Conference
2027 ECA Convention Basic Course Conference Call for Submissions
Call for Submissions
Basic Course Conference
The 118th Annual Convention of the Eastern Communication Association
Conference Theme: Full Circle
Hyatt Regency, Reston, Virginia
Wednesday, March 31, 2027
Submission Deadline: October 9, 2026, 11:59 pm PST
The Basic Course Conference Directors invite your participation by submitting completed papers, extended abstracts of works in progress, panels, roundtable discussions, open forums, and workshops for the 118th Annual ECA Convention. The Basic Course Conference will be held Wednesday, March 31, 2027, at the Hyatt Regency in Reston, VA. The submission deadline is October 9, 2026, 11:59 pm PST.
In keeping with the ECA conference theme, the Basic Course Conference aims to both reflect on our past and look forward to our future. The Basic Course, in its multiple forms, and the people who bring it to life also move “full circle.” Those retiring today were once students, and the future of our courses is enlivened by today’s graduate students. To facilitate broad engagement in the conference, we especially encourage:
- Panels and discussions that include participants at a variety of career stages, including graduate students
- Panels that include or focus on graduate students and/or early career instructors
- Submissions that explore the pedagogy of public address beyond speech
- Reflections on the history and future of the basic course
Please send questions and submissions to Basic Course Conference Co-Directors Cassandra Secrease (csecrease1@udayton.edu) and Cindy Duquette Smith (cds@iu.edu).
Submission Guidelines for Completed Papers
Completed papers that report original research, provide an extensive literature review, or showcase some other forms of scholarship are encouraged. Papers should be no more than 25 double-spaced pages (excluding title page, abstract, references, and appendices) and submitted in PDF format. Please comply with the APA 7th edition guidelines.
When submitting a paper, please include the following:
- Title
- Author/s
- Abstract
- Categories: Indicate if student and/or debut paper
- Additional Information:
- Scheduling & Special Requests: Please identify any accommodations associated with physical or religious needs that may impact scheduling.
- Documents: Upload Main Document (Must be BLIND. Accepted file types are Word and PDF.)
- At the bottom of the cover page, please include the following statement of professional responsibility: In submitting the attached paper, I/We recognize that this submission is considered a professional responsibility. I/We agree to present this paper if it is accepted and programmed. I/We further recognize that all who attend and present at ECA’s annual meeting must register and pay required fees.
Submission Guidelines for Panel Proposals, Round Table, Workshop, and Open Forum Sessions
In addition to traditional panel submissions in which three to four speakers present individual papers on a specific topic area, consider round table discussions or workshops that are unique in composition and format. For instance, you might consider proposing a workshop session led by two or three experts on a particular topic with audience involvement and participation. You might also consider submitting a round table discussion featuring 5-8 presenters who share their positions on a focused topic moderated by a chair.
When submitting panel proposals, please complete the following:
- Title
- Chair/Respondents
- Abstracts: Add individual presentation titles, descriptions, and presenters
- Panel Description
- Rationale
- Documents: Upload any relevant documents. (Must be BLIND. Accepted file types are Word and PDF.)
- In the document, please include the following statement of professional responsibility: In submitting the attached proposal, I/We recognize that this submission is considered a professional responsibility. I/We agree to present this panel if it is accepted and programmed. I/We further recognize that all who attend and present at ECA’s annual meeting must register and pay required fees.
- Additional Information:
- Scheduling & Special Requests: Please identify any accommodations associated with physical or religious needs that may impact scheduling.
When submitting roundtable/workshop proposals, please complete the following:
- Title
- Participants: Enter Chair and Featured Expert/s information
- Round Table Description (100 words or less)
- Rationale
- Documents: Upload any relevant documents. (Must be BLIND. Accepted file types are Word and PDF.)
- In the document, please include the following statement of professional responsibility: In submitting the attached proposal, I/We recognize that this submission is considered a professional responsibility. I/We agree to present this roundtable/workshop if it is accepted and programmed. I/We further recognize that all who attend and present at ECA’s annual meeting must register and pay required fees.
- Additional Information:
- Scheduling & Special Requests: Please identify any accommodations associated with physical or religious needs that may impact scheduling.
- Target Audience: Describe the intended audience, including who would most benefit from attending.
An open forum is a semi-structured public discussion of a predetermined topic of interest introduced and moderated by a chair. The goal of such a program is to share information, ideas, concerns, and special interests.
When submitting an open forum, please complete the following:
- A thematic title for the program.
- Names of the chair and respondents (if any). Chairs should not also be designated as respondents.
- Names, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, and institutional
- affiliations of all participants.
- Titles and abstracts for each paper or presentation.
- A program copy (no more than a 75-word description) as it should appear in the final program.
- A detailed rationale for the program/panel.
- In the document, please include the following statement of professional responsibility: In submitting the attached proposal, I/We recognize that this submission is considered a professional responsibility. I/We agree to present this open forum if it is accepted and programmed. I/We further recognize that all who attend and present at ECA’s annual meeting must register and pay required fees.
Additional Guidelines:
- Please note that a paper or panel should be submitted to only one (1) interest group for consideration.
- Submissions must be saved as PDF or Word files.
- Submitters are encouraged to create panels or programs comprising individuals from different institutions.
- For the Basic Course Conference, we especially encourage submissions featuring individuals at different stages of their careers.
- Chairs and respondents should typically not also serve as panelists.
Technology & A/V
- Submitters will be asked if they would like a room equipped with a projector, screen, sound, wireless mouse and slide advancer, and Wi-Fi
- Presenters must supply their own laptop
- Google Slides and PowerPoint templates with the Full Circle theme are available on the ECA convention website
