UMM CURRICULUM COMMTTEE
2008-09 MEETING #7 Minutes
October 15, 2008, 8:00 a.m., Imholte 109
Present: Cheryl Contant (chair), Brenda Boever, Mark Collier,
Janet Ericksen, Van Gooch, Sara Haugen,
Donovan
Hanson, Michael Korth, Judy Kuechle, Pareena Lawrence, Axl McChesney, Gwen
Rudney,
Clare
Strand, Nancy Helsper
Absent: Veronica Lei, Alex Murphy, Dennis Stewart
Visiting: Jayne Blodgett, Sarah Buchanan, Dorothy DeJager,
Pieranna Garavaso, Tom McRoberts,
Jeff
Ratliff-Crain, Jeri Squier
In these minutes: Catalog Changes in: Interdisciplinary Studies (continued); Honors
Program; Interdisciplinary Studies Internships; Continuing Education, Regional
Programs, and Summer Session; Miscellaneous late course changes; Learning to
Learn; and First Year Seminar.
1.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – October 13, 2008
MOTION
by Ericksen/Hanson to approve the October 13, 2008 minutes.
Discussion:
Strand stated that Contant had mentioned at the last meeting that the Committee would discuss foreign languages at a later meeting, but this was not in the minutes. [It was not included in the minutes but was noted for a future meeting.] She added that on page 4 of the minutes, her statement about the University auditors was in reference to having faculty and students collecting money. The sentence ÒClare commented that the University auditors would have a real problem with thatÓ will be changed to ÒClare commented that the University auditors would have a real problem with our having faculty and students collecting money.Ó
Motion passed by unanimous voice vote (with correction as noted).
2. INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES CATALOG
CHANGES (continued)
Interdisciplinary
Studies Majors/Minors (reporting to DeanÕs Office)
ENVIRONMENAL STUDIES
MOTION (Gooch/Ericksen) to approve the course changes in Environmental Studies.
Contant
presented the Environmental Studies course changes. Two existing courses were added to the list of electives for
the major (Phys 2310: Atmospheric Physics, and Anth 3206: Ecological
Anthropology), and Education was added to the list of Òinterest and expertiseÓ
divisions. One new course in
environmental studies is proposed:
ENST
2111: Environmental Ethics (ENVT; 4 cr).
This
is a fundamental course offering in environmental studies, but there was not a
faculty member in place to teach it until this year. Students may take this course in addition or in place of
Engl 2106.
Discussion:
Lawrence
commented on the statement that students should meet with the environmental
studies advisor. Lawrence stated
that it would be difficult for a student to have a separate environmental
studies advisor. She would rather
it state that students should meet with their advisor. Students donÕt always know who the
discipline coordinator is for interdisciplinary majors. Contant stated that the only time she
could imagine it would make sense for a student to see the coordinator would be
if a student were discussing a course substitution.
VOTE:
Motion passed (9-0-0)
EUROPEAN STUDIES (ES)
MOTION (Gooch/Rudney) to approve the course changes in European Studies.
Discussion:
Lawrence
asked why some headings state Òtake no more than 16 credits from the followingÓ
when there are, in some cases, fewer than 4 courses listed. Squier answered that students are
limited to only 16 credits in an area, and ES may add courses to an area in the
future. Even though there are only
2 courses listed, the statement in the heading is standard.
VOTE:
Motion passed (9-0-0)
LATIN AMERICAN AREA
STUDIES (LAAS)
MOTION (Gooch/Rudney) to approve the course changes in Latin American Area Studies.
Contant
presented the changes to the Latin American Area Studies major. Changes involve inactivating courses
that are no longer active in other disciplines and those that do not have the
required content in LAAS.
VOTE:
Motion passed (9-0-0)
Interdisciplinary
Studies Majors/Minors (reporting to Divisions)
LIBERAL ARTS FOR THE
HUMAN SERVICES (LAHS)
MOTION (Lawrence/Kuechle) to approve the course changes in Liberal Arts for the Human Services.
Lawrence
presented the changes in LAHS. Any
course changes in other related majors are reflected. Required courses now include an internship. Students taking an internship involved
with working with people in a helping relationship is required to take IS 3796
[which is discussed later].
VOTE:
Motion passed (9-0-0)
WOMENÕS STUDIES
(WoSt)
MOTION (Lawrence/Kuechle) to approve the course changes in WomenÕs Studies.
Lawrence
presented the changes in WomenÕs Studies.
Substantial changes include changing the name from WomenÕs Studies
(WoSt) to Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies (GWSS). The primary reason for the name change
is the breadth that it brings and current trend across the nation (including
the Twin Cities campus) to use GWSS.
The course description is updated, but the content of the major doesnÕt
change. They were already looking
at sexuality and gender issues.
Other changes include removing a required directed study because itÕs
not a good practice to require directed studies, and dividing the courses into
those with primary and those with partial GWSS content.
Discussion:
Gooch
stated that although strongly in favor of the proposed changes, he did not
agree that it is simply a name change.
It seems like a new major that can now include areas other than women,
such as menÕs studies and gay rights.
The objectives seem vastly different. Buchanan explained that the changes noted are the result of
the way in which womenÕs studies has developed in the field over time to
include the areas described.
Garavaso added that the revised description only describes changes that
are already in place. Over the
years, so many more relevant courses have been added to the list. The proposal does not represent
something that needs to be done, but rather describing what has already been
done. It reflects the change in
the major that already exist.
Garavaso
announced that she was just made aware that two courses have been excluded from
the list of elective courses for the minor. Two courses, Engl 2031-Gender in Literature and Culture, and
Soc 3121-Sociology of Gender, are listed as required courses in the major but
are missing from elective courses for the minor.
Contant
stated that other course changes include changing the WoSt prefixes to
GWSS. In fact, the course prefix
is even changed for a course that is being inactivated. Strand responded that it will be helpful
to show the course designator change if the course is reactivated later.
VOTE:
Motion passed (9-0-0)
SOCIAL SCIENCE Major
MOTION (Lawrence/Kuechle) to approve the course changes in the Social Science Major.
Lawrence
presented the changes to the social science major. The term sub-plan replaces area of focus. This change is reflected in both the
major and the minor. Kuechle
stated that this major leads to licensure in secondary education, and the list
of courses matches the standards.
VOTE:
Motion passed (9-0-0)
3. HONORS PROGRAM CATALOG CHANGES
MOTION (Ericksen/Rudney) to approve the course changes in the Honors program.
Contant
presented the changes to the honors program, which is housed in the DeanÕs
Office. Changes consist of minor
editorial changes, the inactivation of 4 courses that will no longer be
offered, and the addition of a new course. Two courses that were approved last year but didnÕt make it
into the system are added. The new
course is:
IS
3234 H-Intersections of Art and Science (FA; 2 cr)
This
course is part of an effort to expand offerings for students in the honors
program. Contant noted that this
course would be co-taught by faculty members in chemistry and studio art.
Discussion:
Strand
asked if the reference to the Honors Office in the admissions requirements
section of PCAS should be changed to the RegistrarÕs Office, which is doing
most of the clerical support for the honors program. Kuechle asked if the honors program was now housed in the
new academic center for enrichment (ACE).
McRoberts answered that it was.
Contant stated that Òhonors officeÓ should be changed to academic center
for enrichment. Korth noted that
the room number is never seen by anyone.
Strand
asked if IS 3206H is the same course that changed to a management course and
should be inactivated. Lawrence
answered that it was not the same course.
VOTE:
Motion passed (8-0-0)
4. INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES INTERNSHIPS
MOTION (Lawrence/Rudney) to approve the course changes to interdisciplinary studies internships.
Contant
presented the course changes to IS internships. [This is the change that Lawrence referred to in the earlier
discussion of LAHS.] The change
involves keeping the IS 3996 internship as it is (with one exception noted
later) and adding a new Internship similar to 3996:
IS
3796-Interdisciplinary Internship in the Helping Professions
Students
who will do internships that involving people and the helping professions would
take this course rather than 3996.
This course requires a prerequisite of IS 4101-Intro to Prof Conduct,
Legal Constraints, Ethics in Human Services. The internship in the helping professions, with its
prerequisite, will ensure that students are entering into those relationships
with the appropriate background.
Contant
explained that the change to the IS 3996 course refers to the repetition of the
course. The Committee has in the
past discussed the 32-credit limit on internships. The decision by the Committee to place the restriction did
not go to campus assembly for approval, and should therefore be deleted until
it is voted on by campus assembly.
The Committee should not unilaterally make that level of policy. Korth answered that the Committee makes
such a decision each time it approves a new course, because the credit limit is
on the course. Contant stated that
the repetition of this particular course is a much broader issue and concerns
how much of the studentÕs curriculum should be spent in the broader world
rather than in the classroom. This
is an issue that should be discussed in the Committee and brought to campus
assembly. Rather than hiding it in the context of a course, we need to have a
discussion about it on its own merit.
Squier noted that at the same time the limit was approved by the
Committee, all of the directed studies were limited to 10 credits. She asked if they should all be changed
back to the default of 999 as well.
Contant answered that she did not think directed studies raise the same
level of red flag as internships. Directed studies involve an overload for
faculty to teach them. Contant
added that there are internships across the curriculum–not just the IS
internships. Does the 32-credit
limit apply just to this one or all of them? Rudney noted that she did not think of the credit limit as
being hidden in the context of a course, as Contant had stated. Contant agreed that itÕs not hidden or
slipped in. It is part of the
CommitteeÕs discussion on a course-by-course basis. ItÕs also a part of courses that might not have been pointed
out at the time the course is discussed.
The
question of what to do about other internships is important. The language refers to a limit between
these 2 courses, but does not include other internships. The Committee needs to have a more
careful conversation about it relatively quickly. Ratliff-Crain commented that one protection of students
signing up for 999 credits is that any such internship has to be approved by
the faculty member and the division chair or dean. Rudney added that there is a safety net, and it is more
important to have it fixed rather than having signers decide each time. Kuechle asked if the correction would
result in no number being listed.
Squier answered that the standard is 999. Korth responded that it should have a limit, which it
already has. Lawrence asked if the
Committee could just leave it and revisit it in two weeks. Contant answered that there is time to
look at it later because the change will not be effective until fall 09. Squier asked Ratliff-Crain if he would
like the language back in about the 32-credit limit. Ratliff-Crain replied that it makes sense. ItÕs essentially a full year internship
at full-time, which seems reasonable.
If someone needed more than 32 credits that there would be avenues to do
that by requesting an exception.
Strand stated that any limit on internships needs to be part of the
degree requirement limitation on how many credits of internships can count
toward the 120 for the degree. We
currently have a limit on the number of skills or other such courses a student
can count toward the degree. It
was agreed that the 32-credit limit would remain on the internships at this
time, and the language in the new 3796 course would include the 32-credit
limit.
Rudney
asked if the ethics course is required for the LAHS major. Ratliff-Crain answered that it is
required, but the intent is to take it before the IS 3076 internship.
VOTE:
Motion passed (8-0-0), with the 32-credit restriction remaining.
5. CONTINUING EDUCATION, REGIONAL
PROGRAMS, AND SUMER SESSION CATALOG CHANGES (Moved up on the agenda at the understood approval of the
Committee)
MOTION (Rudney/Ericksen) to approve the course changes to Continuing Education courses.
Contant
presented the course changes for Continuing Education. Changes include the inactivation of
courses no longer offered. Also
included in this packet is an issue that was addressed at the April 1, 2008
Committee meeting, regarding the numbering of the skills courses to 12xx
consistently. Those course changes
are listed, including the Beginning Taekwondo course that was approved at the
May 6, 2008 meeting, and was sent back by campus assembly on September 23,
2008, with directives to change the course to a 12xx course.
Four
new courses are proposed:
Fren
1023: July in Paris II: French Language and Culture in Paris (FL; 4 cr)
Buchanan
explained that Fren 1021 already exists for non-majors going to Paris to study
French with no experience. Fren
1023 is designed for students who would like to satisfy the foreign language
requirement abroad. Fren 1023 is
equivalent to Fren 1002 on campus and would satisfy the FL requirement.
Discussion:
Strand
asked if this course is equivalent to a semester-long course. Buchanan answered that it consists of
50 hours in the classroom, as opposed to the 45 hours required on campus. That does not include the additional
required excursions.
Fren
3046-Francophone Studies: Morocco: History, Story, Myth (IP; 4 cr)
This
course is taught exclusively in French.
The French discipline is eliminating the option of taking one course in
English for a French major, so they are adding 3xxx-level courses, taught
exclusively in French, to replace courses formerly cross-listed with Hum
courses. This course replaces Fren
1312 as an elective for French majors.
Fren 1312 is being turned into a course exclusively for non-majors and
replaces Hum 1312, which is being eliminated.
Psy
1301-Psychology and Film (SS; 4 cr)
Time
restraints on a semester class make it difficult to show and fully analyze
films in class. This is a May term
class, ideal for this course because of the longer time-frame.
WSS
2333-The Story of Sports (SS; 4 cr)
This
course received provisional approve in 2007.
Discussion:
Rudney
stated that the form is confusing.
It lists the ÒCollege NameÓ for WSS as the division of elementary and
secondary education. That is not
the name of the division. Squier
answered that itÕs a default in the system that canÕt easily be fixed. Strand stated that the Dean has to do
it. Contant answered that it will
be fixed. Rudney continued to
state that the course sounds interesting, but she wanted to register a concern
that although it has the designators of and belongs in the division of
education, the courses do not come through the division in the normal process.
The courses were not voted on or discussed by the division. Collier asked if any of the continuing
education courses presented had been approved by a different committee. Contant answered that all of the
specific courses with an IS designator or presented as continuing education
courses were reviewed by a committee of faculty including division chairs and
have been approved for discussion by the Curriculum Committee.
VOTE:
Motion passed (8-0-0).
7. MISCELLANEOUS COURSES CLEAN-UP
MOTION (Rudney/Kuechle) to approve all of the miscellaneous course changes.
Contant
explained that these courses consist of issues that are in response to earlier
proposed changes or have come forward after the division finished its
presentation of course changes.
Mathematics: Korth explained that when the mathematics changes were
presented, the pre-calculus course was split into two courses. Committee members voiced concerns at
the time as to why nothing was mentioned about placement into the courses. Since the discipline does use placement
to put students into the right course, the math discipline agreed that it would
be right to include a statement about placement to the pre-calculus and survey
of calculus courses.
Pol 4905: The enforced prerequisites now include stat 1601 or stat
2601.
Humanities:
CMR 3101 has a revised course description to not specify specific
Sophists (Corax and Tisias), and to instead refer to Sophists in general.
.
HUM 1571 should be inactivated.
VOTE:
Motion passed (8-0-0).
7. FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR AND LEARNING TO
LEARN COURSE
MOTION (Kuechle/Ericksen) to separate the two items and approve IS 1601: Learning to Learn.
Contant
explained that the Center for Advising and Learning offers IS 1601: Learning to
Learn. The proposal changes the
title of the course to ÒMastering Skills for College Success, and removes the
SS GenEd designator, since it is a skills course.
VOTE:
Motion passed (8-0-0).
IS-1001: First-Year
Seminar
MOTION (Korth/Ericksen) to approve the course changes to IS-1001.
Ratliff-Crain
presented the proposed changes to the First-Year Seminar (FYS) course. There
were 2 goals in mind when revising the course description: 1) to make it more
consistent to the GenEd description and 2) to provide more flexibility with
regard to the theme. Having human
diversity in the title drastically limits the topics and directions the course
might take, as well as limiting the number of faculty that might
participate. The intent to remove
the human diversity theme is to provide an opportunity for faculty to explore
different themes. Inserting a
diverse and contemporary society back into the course description allows for
continuation of the human diversity theme. The First Year Experience disappearing task force concluded,
among various things, that the human diversity theme was a constraint. At this time a particular theme is not
being proposed, nor does the proposed removal of the human diversity theme mean
that it is a bad thing. Contant
stated that the Committee could discuss the topic for an hour because of the
variety of issues and opinions surrounding the course, but there is only 3-4 minutes
left before the Committee has to make a decision to either move forward for
greater discussion at the campus assembly meeting or simply not pass the
motion. Ratliff-Crain asked if not
passing the motion would mean that it would not go to campus assembly for
conversation and would remain as it currently is in the next catalog. Contant said that he was correct.
Discussion:
Collier
stated that the first option would be rushing a vote for it but it would have
approval by the Committee. He
asked if everyone could abstain and still send it to the assembly. Contant answered that the Committee
would have to pass a motion by majority vote for an item to be forwarded to the
assembly. It could however be
brought to the floor of the assembly by any member of the Committee. Lawrence stated that that a few members
could abstain, as she was intending to do. Collier asked if there was an option of the Committee having
a broader discussion of the issue at some point. Kuechle answered that it could not occur by the catalog
deadline. Helsper added that her
proof deadline is January 20 and there wouldnÕt be time at the beginning of
spring semester to hold another assembly meeting before the catalog deadline.
Ratliff-Crain
stated that part of the pitch for asking for the change is to begin a
much-needed campus discussion about the FYS and its contents. If the change is not approved, the
catalog will dictate what the theme is going to be. Unfortunately there isnÕt time to explore it in detail
before the catalog deadline. A
decision needs to be made to remove human diversity or to continue with it as
is. The outcome should be a
decision rather than a default.
Squier asked if the FYE task force believed that removing human
diversity from the title would get more faculty interested in teaching it. Ratliff-Crain answered that it was one
of the possible results. There are
faculty who are interested in teaching the FYS but do not see how their
interest and expertise fits in.
Collier commented that his concern was the need to have constraints on
FYS to prevent everyone from teaching different things. Contant added that constraints are good
and there should be a unified topic.
The course is organized to incorporate constraints similar to a senior
seminar. However, the phrase human
diversity poses constraints on faculty who otherwise would propose courses that
most would find acceptable. The
revised course description indicates there would be a theme. The concern is that the title is much
narrower. DeJager stated that when
the course was created words were used such as the lens that you view things
through and statements similar to the new description wording. It looks like human diversity was
removed from title but appears in description. Collier stated that the description is extremely broad. Contant answered that the course was
initially proposed to have rotating themes. Human diversity is one of the rotations, but because it is
in title, it now has stuck. Part
of the reason for moving it out of the title is to allow other themes to emerge
as chosen by folks involved in the FYS course. Collier asked how it would work to change themes each
year. Contant answered that it is
exactly what happens now.
Contant
suggested changing the order of words in first sentence of the course description
from: ÒThe first-year seminar aims to teach students to think critically . .
.to a collegiate, liberal arts environment in a small seminar setting.Ó to ÒThe
first-year seminar aims to teach students, in a small seminar setting, to think
critically . . .to a collegiate, liberal arts environment.Ó As changed, Òin a small seminar
settingÓ now accurately refers to the course, rather than the campus.
VOTE:
Motion passed (5-1-2) with the editorial change of reordering words in the
first sentence of the course description.
Adjourned
9:10 a.m.
Submitted by Darla Peterson