This seventh in a series of investigations of the basic communication course at 2- and 4-year colleges and universities that began in 1968 has as its purpose to gather longitudinal data on the nature of the course. This latest study differs somewhat from past studies. The survey instrument from 1999 was revised to include timely concerns such as assessment, technology, distance education, and race/ethnicity. The study now reports the data based on course orientation; and, this study's survey was conducted electronically. Data are presented from 306 responding schools covering institutional demographics and (1) Orientation to the Basic Course and Enrollment, (2) Course Administration and Organization, (3) Instruction and Pedagogy, (4) Technology and Distance Education, and (5) Assessment and Evaluation. (Contains 10 tables.)