UMM CURRICULUM COMMITTEE

MEETING # 13 Minutes

March 25, 2008, 3:00 p.m., Behmler 130

Present: Roland Guyotte (chair), Ferolyn Angell, Van Gooch, Harold Hinds, Michael Korth, Judy Kuechle, Pareena Lawrence, Jenny Nellis, Laura Thoma, Kim Ukura, Sara Haugen, Nancy Helsper, Jeri Mullin,

Clare Strand

Absent: Escillia Allen, Gwen Rudney, Nate Swanson

Visiting: Bradley Deane

In these minutes: Course approvals in the Humanities

Guyotte explained that the committee will continue where it left of at the March 11 meeting. The meeting will be short so that people can get to Chancellor Johnson’s community meeting in a timely fashion. He welcomed guest Bradley Deane from the English discipline.

1. Course Approvals

Engl 3061-The Novels of William Faulkner. (Hum; 4 cr)

MOTION: (Nellis/Hinds): To approve the reactivation of the course Engl 3061

VOTE: Motion passed (9-0-0)

Discussion: There was no discussion.

Engl 3157-English Renaissance Drama. (Hum; 4 cr)

MOTION: (Nellis/Lawrence): To approve the revision of the course Engl 3157

VOTE: Motion passed (9-0-0)

Discussion: Nellis explained that this is a revision of an existing course. The purpose is to give it a slightly different description and focus for a new instructor.

Engl 3159-Shakespeare: Studies in the Bard. (Hum; 4 cr)

MOTION: (Nellis/Angell): To approve the revision of the course Engl 3159

VOTE: Motion passed (9-0-0)

Discussion: Nellis explained that a newer faculty member is revising a course that was designed by someone else. Thoma asked if the students can choose topics for courses like this one. Nellis answered that the instructor chooses the topic. Thoma asked how students are informed when the topics change. Nellis answered that they can speak to the instructor and they are posted on a bulletin board. Guyotte suggested that this was a good time for Mullin to give a pitch for the new online course guide. Mullin agreed that this would be a perfect use of the online course guide, where faculty can go in and expand on the description of a course. Angell added that students can then go online to look at the descriptions.

Engl 3165-English Renaissance Poetry and Prose. (Hum; 4 cr)

MOTION: (Nellis/Angell): To approve the revision of the course Engl 3165

VOTE: Motion passed (9-0-0)

Discussion:

Nellis stated that this course is a revision of the course to fit the faculty member who may be teaching it. She added that all of the courses will not be taught in any given year and are listed as offered when feasible, but they are being revised so that they are ready to be taught the next time they are offered.

Engl 3522-Harlem Renaissance. (HDiv; 4 cr)

MOTION: (Ukura/Angell): To approve the provisionally-approved course, Engl 3522

VOTE: Motion passed (9-0-0)

Discussion:

Thoma stated that, from a student’s perspective, it’s frustrating to plan to take courses that you later find aren’t actually offered. Adding courses to the curriculum that won’t be offered is an issue in need of discussion.

Engl 4024-Research Seminar: Poet’s Choice: The Book as the 25th Poem. (Hum; 4 cr)

MOTION: (Nellis/Hinds): To approve the new course, Engl 4024

VOTE: Motion passed (9-0-0)

Discussion:

Nellis stated that the course will be added to the research seminar series course offering for English majors. She asked Bradley Deane to comment. Deane explained that this is one of the capstone courses in the English discipline. Capstone courses are small, intensive, and culminate in public presentations. The 4xxx-level courses change very frequently in relationship to the available faculty. Kuechle asked if English majors are required to take only one 4xxx-level course, and are free to choose one that fits their interests. Deane answered that the courses are very work-intensive, so only one is required.

Engl 4025-Research Seminar: The Elizabeth Mystique. (Hum; 4 cr)

MOTION: (Ukura/Angell): To approve the new course, Engl 4025

VOTE: Motion passed (9-0-0)

Discussion:

Gooch asked if all of the Research Seminar courses are viable, since there are quite a few on the books. Deane answered that some are getting cut to replace the new ones. The English discipline is very careful about posting which ones are going to be available in coming years because students are required to take one their senior year. It’s important that the English majors are aware of what’s coming up. Strand asked when the proposal to inactivate course will come forward. Deane answered that Vicki Graham, English discipline coordinator, will decide that.

Engl 4026-Literature of the Shoah. (Hum; 4 cr)

MOTION: (Nellis/Angell): To approve the new course, Engl 4026

VOTE: Motion passed (9-0-0)

Discussion: There was no discussion.

Engl 4027-Dickens and Criticism. (Hum; 4 cr)

MOTION: (Angell/Nellis): To approve the new course, Engl 4027

VOTE: Motion passed (9-0-0)

Discussion:

Nellis stated that this was the final new course in the research seminar group. Deane explained that there would be two courses cut from the 4xxx-level.

Fren 1027-Real to Reel: The Middle Ages and Renaissance in Film for Non-Majors. (Hum; 4 cr)

MOTION: (Nellis/Angell): To approve the course, Fren 1027

VOTE: Motion passed (9-0-0)

Discussion:

Nellis stated that this is a 1xxx-level French class that a new French instructor will teach. This course is similar to as Fren 3027, but is taught in English. Kuechle asked if the two courses are concurrent. Nellis answered that they are totally separate courses. They may be taught in the same semester to accommodate the instructor’s use of the same material in both courses. Helsper asked if a student could get credit for taking both courses. Nellis replied that they could, but it is unlikely they would take both courses. Guyotte asked if this course would apply to the French major, since it’s taught in English. Kuechle answered that it is mentioned in the description. Helsper noted that it is also mentioned in the title that it is for non-majors.

Meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m.

Submitted by Darla Peterson