UMM CURRICULUM COMMITTEE

MEETING # 6 Minutes

October 10, 2006, 10:00 a.m., Prairie Lounge

Present: Judy Kuechle (chair), Michael Korth, Jooinn Lee, Jenny Nellis, Gwen Rudney, Ferolyn Angell, Harold Hinds, Escillia Allen, Mary Elizabeth Bezanson, Van Gooch, Nancy Helsper, Jeri Mullin, Sara Haugen, Clare Strand

Absent: Isaac Linehan-Clodfelter, two students yet to be named

Visiting: Tom McRoberts, Brenda Boever

Kuechle opened the meeting.

Approval of Minutes from october 3, 2006

Kuechle asked for approval of minutes from the October 3, 2006 meeting.

MOTION (Hinds/Bezanson): To approve the minutes of October 3, 2006

VOTE: Motion passed (8-0-0)

Social Sciences DiVISION CATALOG CHANGES

ANTHROPOLOGY (Anth)

Lee presented the Anthropology Discipline changes, which included one new course (Anth 4902-Senior Seminar) and 2000 level courses changing to 3000 level. Lee handed out a revised Form A with minor corrections. Kuechle asked how many 2000 level courses remain. Lee responded that three courses remain, which is a sufficient number to meet the needs of the campus.

Bezanson asked if Anth 3301-India and South Asia includes China. Hinds replied that it did not. Bezanson asked if anthropology offers any class that deals with China. Lee answered that at the moment, it does not. Hinds added that the curriculum reflects the strengths of the faculty.

Korth stated that Anth 3201 showed substantial changes and asked why the GER was ENVT. Lee stated that the rationale for the GER designator was not discussed. Strand stated that with substantial changes of course title, description, and GER, the course should be deactivated and a new course brought forward. Lee mentioned that the instructor did not intend for it to be a new course. The committee agreed to send it back to the discipline for clarification of the GER as ENVT.

Korth then asked for clarification about the revisions to Anth 3501. It appeared that the course is being modified and inactivated, according to the rationale. Lee explained that the intent was to update the course but have it inactivated now because of current staffing restraints. The hope is to offer the course again. At that time, it will more accurately reflect the wishes of the current instructor and discipline. Strand asked if it wouldn’t make sense to inactivate it now and create a new course when the discipline intents to offer it. Lee stated that the discipline wanted to clean it up now, while they are looking at curriculum changes. Strand asked what the guidelines are to determine whether a course is revised or new. Mullin answered that division secretaries ask the faculty whether a student who took both courses could get credit for the new course. If not, then it’s just a revision.

New Course: Anth 4902-Senior Seminar

Mullin suggested corrections on the new course under the sections Course Prerequisites and Enforced Prerequisites: 4411, 4901 (may take 4901 concurrently with 4902) should be changed to 3411, prereq or co req 4901.

MOTION (Bezanson/Rudney): To approve new Anth course (Anth 4902) and approve catalog changes, with the exception of setting aside course revision #7, which will be voted on at a future meeting.

VOTE: Motion passed (9-0-0)

ECONOMICS (Econ)

Lee presented the Economics Discipline changes, which included a change on Form A and some minor wording changes and clean-up.

MOTION (Bezanson/Nellis): To approve the Econ catalog changes.

VOTE: Motion passed (9-0-0)

GEOGRAPHY (Geog)

Lee presented the Geography Discipline changes.

Gooch asked why geography is a discipline with only one course and no major offered. Lee answered that the course is required for secondary education licensure.

MOTION (Hinds/Nellis): To approve the Geog catalog changes.

VOTE: Motion passed (9-0-0)

HISTORY (Hist)

Lee presented the catalog changes in the History discipline, including the deletion of twelve courses. As a result of two new faculty members, five new courses were also presented: (Hist 3160-The Enlightenment; Hist 3210-Medieval Popular Religion; Hist 3211-Modern France; Hist 3556-Transwar Japan, 1930-1970; and Hist 3609-Cuban Revolution in Historical Perspective).

Gooch stated that course revision #5-Hist 3207, and #6-Hist 3551 list a rationale for changing the GERs from IP to HIST as better reflecting the single-nation focus of the courses. He added that it does not seem a reasonable rationale, since we have a number of courses with IP that focus on a single nation. Gooch asked why IP has to involve multi-nations. Hinds answered that the new instructor probably felt HIST was more appropriate. Strand stated that it creates unnecessary difficulties for students when GERs are changed mid-stream with no justifiable reason. Angell asked if the discipline discussion had anything to do with a student not getting an international perspective when the course only covers one country. Hinds answered that the new instructor simply felt another designator more appropriately matches how they will teach the course. Strand stated that it is potentially dangerous to start changing GenEd designators based on the faculty. Hinds disagreed and stated that it does makes a difference who is teaching the course and what focus the course will take. Bezanson added that if an instructor changes and the course remains essentially the same, there should not be a GenEd change. Hinds answered that expecting courses to be set in concrete is ludicrous, and faculty ought to be free to make such changes. Strand stated that the committee has an obligation to maintain consistency and should not agree to change designators at will. Hinds replied that the changes are not being done without consideration, and students will not be disadvantaged by the changes.

MOTION (Gooch/Angell): To ask history to clarify and strengthen the rationale for changes to GER in Hist 3207, Hist 3551, and Hist 3552.

VOTE: Motion passed (5-4-0)

Korth stated that stability in the curriculum is valuable, but since we can only go with one GER per course, the faculty should be allowed to make a change. Kuechle added that there is a precedent for changing course designators. Mullin stated that she credited history for waiting until a catalog change to make the change, which will then allow it to be advertised correctly. Strand predicted that students will petition to the Scholastic Committee and will be turned down. Kuechle answered that students who take the course after the change in designator should only receive the GER as listed in the current catalog. Lee stated that instructors are asked to view a designator focusing on its benefit to students. History looked at the designators carefully and changes were made because the instructor feels strongly about making the change. The discipline complied with the person teaching the course.

A member stated that Hist 3704 included a typo or omission. It was decided that a word would be removed. If the discipline did not agree, Lee will bring it back to the committee.

New Course: Hist 3160-The Enlightenment

Helsper stated that the course number should be changed to Hist 3161 since courses ending in 0 are usually reserved for repeatable courses.

New Course: Hist 3210-Medieval Popular Religion

New Course: Hist 3211-Modern France

New Course: Hist 3556-U.S. Occupation and Japanese Transwar History, 1930-1970

New Course: Hist 3608-The Cuban Revolution in Historical Perspective

MOTION (Bezanson/Angell): To approve new History courses (Hist 3161-The Enlightenment; Hist 3210-Medieval Popular Religion; Hist 3211-Modern France; Hist 3556-Transwar Japan, 1930-1970; and Hist 3609-Cuban Revolution in Historical Perspective) and approve catalog changes, with modifications to be sent back.

VOTE: Motion passed (9-0-0)

LATIN AMERICAN AREA STUDIES (LAAS)

Lee presented the LAAS Discipline changes, which included small changes and some 2000 courses moved to the 3000 level. Hinds added that what is driving the changes is the fact that two faculty who taught in the area have left UMM. Bezanson suggested that it would be helpful if such resource information was included in the first box on Form A.

MOTION (Bezanson/Nellis): To approve the LAAS catalog changes.

VOTE: Motion passed (9-0-0)

LIBERAL ARTS FOR THE HUMAN SERVICES (LAHS)

Lee presented the LAHS Discipline changes. He stated that this program is interdisciplinary, and thus depends on all other course changes and staff changes.

Bezanson stated that Spch 2071-Introduction to the Principles and Practices of Speech Communications is listed on Form B and should be removed because it is designed for students seeking teaching licensure.

Gooch stated that Psy 3211-Biological Psychology lists Biol 1101-Freshman Seminar in Biological Principles as a prereq. Biol 1101 no longer exists. There is a new course, Biol 1111, but Psychology will have to decide if it is an equivalency.

MOTION (MEB/Rudney): To approve the LAHS catalog changes.

VOTE: Motion passed (9-0-0)

MANAGEMENT (Mgmt)

Lee presented the Management Discipline changes, which included one new course (Mgmt 3702-Personnel Psychology), course number changes, and clean-up of courses.

New Course: Mgmt 3702-Personnel Psychology

Bezanson noted that Form B lists Spch 1052-Introduction to Public Speaking as a required course. Bezanson recommended that Spch 1042-Public Speaking and Analysis, which is offered in the summer be listed as an option. She suggested changing the wording to add “or Spch 1042-Public Speaking and Analysis.

Gooch stated that Mgmt 4201, under course revision #6, includes parentheses and question marks, which don’t make sense in a course description. Haugen suggested that Lee ask the discipline to revise the description to eliminate parentheses and question marks. Lee replied that he would do so, considering it an editorial change. Other minor editorial changes will be made during the editorial process of the catalog.

MOTION (Angell/Bezanson): To approve new Mgmt course (Mgmt 3702-Personnel Psychology) and approve catalog changes.

VOTE: Motion passed (9-0-0)

POLITICAL SCIENCE (Pol)

Lee presented the Political Science Discipline changes, which included no proposed additions or deletions. The only change involves a wording deletion in the course title and description for Pol 3267. The words “and Federal” will be deleted.

MOTION (Nellis/Rudney): To approve the Political Science catalog changes.

VOTE: Motion passed (9-0-0)

PSYCHOLOGY (Psy)

Lee presented the catalog changes in the Psychology discipline. The main purpose is to provide students with a deeper and broader training in the field. Ten new courses are proposed: Psy 2411-Introduction to Lifespan Developmental Psychology, Psy 3602-Psychology and Law, Psy 3702-Personnel Psychology, Psy 3800-Research Practicum, Psy 4910-Advanced Seminar in Cognitive Psychology, Psy 4920-Advanced Seminar in Biological or Comparative Psychology, Psy 4930-Advanced Seminar in Personality or Clinical Psychology, Psy 4940-Advanced Seminar in Developmental Psychology, Psy 4950-Advanced Seminar in Social Psychology, and Psy 4960-Advanced Seminar in Health Psychology.

New Course: Psy 2411-Introduction to Lifespan Developmental Psychology

New Course: Psy 3602-Psychology and Law

New Course: Psy 3702-Personnel Psychology

New Course: Psy 3800-Research Practicum

New Course: Psy 4910-Advanced Seminar in Cognitive Psychology

New Course: Psy 4920-Advanced Seminar in Biological or Comparative Psychology

New Course: Psy 4930-Advanced Seminar in Personality or Clinical Psychology

New Course: Psy 4940-Advanced Seminar in Developmental Psychology

New Course: Psy 4950-Advanced Seminar in Social Psychology

New Course: Psy 4960-Advanced Seminar in Health Psychology

Mullin noted that for the new courses Psy 3800 through Psy 4960, “Instructor” should be listed in the Consent Requirement section. No Enforced Prerequisites will be listed.

MOTION (Bezanson/Nellis): To approve the new Psychology courses (Psy 2411-Introduction to Lifespan Developmental Psychology, Psy 3602-Psychology and Law, Psy 3702-Personnel Psychology, Psy 3800-Research Practicum, Psy 4910-Advanced Seminar in Cognitive Psychology, Psy 4920-Advanced Seminar in Biological or Comparative Psychology, Psy 4930-Advanced Seminar in Personality or Clinical Psychology, Psy 4940-Advanced Seminar in Developmental Psychology, Psy 4950-Advanced Seminar in Social Psychology, Psy 4960-Advanced Seminar in Health Psychology) and approve Psychology catalog changes.

VOTE: Motion passed (9-0-0)

Kuechle thanked Lee for the well-organized presentation of courses and catalog changes from the Division of the Social Sciences. Kuechle reminded the committee that they will complete the review of changes in the Social Sciences and begin the Humanities Division review of catalog changes at the next meeting on October 24.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.

Submitted by Darla Peterson