Morris, MN
MINUTES
2002-2003 CURRICULUM COMMITTEE MEETING # 4
October 9, 2002, 8:00
a.m. Behmler Conference Room
Present John
Schwaller, Mike Korth, Judy Kuechle, Jenny Nellis, Jeff Ratlliff-Crain for Jooinn
Lee, Mary Elizabeth Bezanson, Chris DeVries, Van Gooch, Tom Johnson David
Bohlander, Amanda Johnson, Chris Pifer, Ruth Thielke, Dorothy DeJager, Clare
Strand and Nancy Helsper
Absent Danielle
Stuard
Guest: Pieranna
Garavaso
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Schwaller asked for a
motion to approve the minutes from September 25, 2002.
It was brought up that
some people on the committee are not getting their electronic copies of the
minutes. Strand asked that the second sentence in the discussion paragraph after
the motion to approve the English changes be changed to read, “Strand
expressed concern of a multicultural literature requirement”.
MOTION: (Nellis, DeJager) To
approve minutes from September 25, 2002, as amended.
VOTE: Unanimous
in favor (11-0-0)
CATALOG CHANGES
Garavaso explained that
there are changes in the major and the number of courses taught in the
discipline is incorrect and will be corrected. A member expressed concern about
the major requirements because the prereqs are not listed and they are in fact
required. There was discussion among the members about listing prereqs as
required courses under the major. Schwaller stated that there is no
consistency; however CC could create consistency. A member stated that some
disciplines have tried to list prereqs, and another member noted that some of
the electives have choices within prereqs. Schwaller suggested listing the
prereqs in parenthesis after the courses and the students could then make
reasonable assessments. A member suggested taking out “may” because
some courses have prereqs. A member questioned if prereqs are enforced. A
member noted that they are to be enforced. Schwaller explained that enforcement
of prereqs is a work in progress but UMM is moving toward rigorous enforcement.
A member agreed that the “may” should be stricken and indicated
there are other ways students can meet prerequisite requirements.
MOTION: (Nellis, Ratliff-Crain)
To strike “may” in the first sentence of the major requirements.
VOTE: Unanimous
in favor (11-0-0)
A member questioned the 4th
paragraph on page 2 of Form B. It appears there were significant changes. Garavaso
explained that only the language was stricken, not the requirement of a culminating
experience through 4901 or 4993, because the students found the wording
confusing.
MOTION: (Bezanson, Nellis) To
accept Women’s Studies as amended.
VOTE: Approved
(10-1-0)
COURSE APPROVAL:
NSci 2051 CE:
Archaeoastronomy of Native Americans. Schwaller explained that this is a May
term course and students will visit some different sites.
MOTION: (Kuechle, Korth) To
accept NSci 2051
VOTE: Unanimous
in favor (11-0-0)
Schwaller explained that
a revised version of the African American Studies Minor that was just approved
by Campus Assembly has been distributed. A member questioned one of the changes
where courses were changed to offered when feasible, what is feasibility? The
minor would not be able to be completed in four years. Schwaller noted that
question was considered but it did not prohibit approval of the proposal.
Nellis explained that “offered when feasible” is used when a course
is only taught by one instructor to accommodate a possible faculty leave. There
were other issues raised about certain courses listed and Schwaller explained
that it would not be in the next catalog because it will not get to the Regents
until February 2003, at the earliest.
MOTION: (Bezanson, Korth) To
return African American Studies course for corrections.
Discussion:
A member stated that even
though topics are used for flexibility she questioned why variable topics
courses taught every year do not have regular numbers. Schwaller explained that
there are two philosophies with regard to topics. One is, as the member stated,
that they are used for flexibility. The opportunity for visiting professors or
one-time topics. The philosophy that has been adopted by many disciplines in
Social Science and now Humanities is to lump required courses within a topic
rubric as placeholder for a group of related courses. A member noted that
Political Science is dropping these topic umbrellas. Another member explained
that each topic has its own number; the problem is more using the title.
Schwaller explained that in general topics courses were created to provide
flexibility for one-time offerings.
Call the question.
VOTE: Unanimous
in favor (11-0-0)
CATALOG CHANGES
Anthropology:
Ratliff-Crain explained that
most of the changes reflect changes in faculty.
MOTION: (Ratliff-Crain,
DeJager) To accept Anthropology changes.
A member questioned if
there is a requirement of a GPA of a C+ and she also stated that the
“Area of Concentration” should be “major” in the last
sentence of the requirements for the major. Another member said it should be a
number rather than letter GPA. Schwaller stated the letter GPA should be
changed to the number 2.33. Another member questioned the “Quality of
Work” statement in the catalog and suggested that it be fixed. Schwaller
noted that some majors might have higher requirements. A member stated that the
word “American” in Anth 2452 Native American Women is problematic
and she would like the Discipline to clarify the GPA issue.
VOTE: Unanimous
in favor with proposed questions directed to the
discipline. (11-0-0)
Economics:
Ratliff-Crain explained
that the changes are due to changes in personnel. There were questions in the
division meeting about the statement “offered when feasible”. If a
course cannot be offered in the next two years the course should be deleted.
MOTION: (Bezanson,
Korth) To accept Economics changes.
VOTE: Unanimous
in favor (11-0-0)
History:
Ratliff-Crain pointed out
that there are some corrections in History. Hist 3016 should be Hist 3106 and
Hist 3030 should be 3031. There are topics courses that do not need approval.
Another member was concerned that documentation is in the last semester. A
member stated that it is more difficult for the student to figure out a
timeline and UMM has no formal declaration to a major. Another member
questioned if the wording is part of a commitment to the assessment process.
Schwaller indicated that was the case.
History will be continued
at the next meeting.
DeVries requested that a
statement to the campus community be sent to clarify that the WSS courses
questioned at the last Campus Assembly meeting had been approved by Campus
Assembly in Spring 02’. Schwaller responded that a statement had been
sent to Executive Committee regarding that issue.
Meeting adjourned 9:00
a.m.
Submitted by Karen Van
Horn