A communication and aging course could potentially enhance both gerontological care providers' understanding of older persons' communication needs, and the older students' communication proficiency. Regardless of the theory of social adaption to aging that the course embraces--disengagement, activity-personality, social exchange, or fundamental interpersonal relations orientation--it should promote life satisfaction by encouraging interpersonal activity and developing communication skills. The main tenets of such a communication and aging course would be that (1) effective communication is essential to the life satisfaction of all humans but may be more vital to the coping ability of the elderly than for any other age group; and (2) intergenerational interaction holds rich potential for everyone involved. The course would work toward a clear understanding of elderly individuals' self concept and its significance to their effective interpersonal communication. In addition, the course would develop those problem solving skills that enable the older student not only to bring past experiences to bear on society's problems, but also to cope with personal communication problems and challenges that are inevitable consequences of new settings, roles, expectations and needs. A plan for an actual course embodying these principles is described and its specific content detailed. The course is designed to meet once a week for 150 minutes, over 15 weeks, for 3 hours of college credit. (JD)