Arts and Sciences Curriculum Committee
Minutes of the Meeting of November 10, 2009
Attending: Professors Epstein (chair), Harding, Im, Li, Miecznikowski, Petrino, Rosivach, Schaffer; Associate Dean Weiss.
1. Announcements:
The next meeting of the committee will be on December 8. There will be at least one new course proposal to discuss.
2. Approval of minutes:
The minutes of the meeting of October 20, 2009 were unanimously approved after minor changes:
i. in the last paragraph of item 4, read "individually designed major"
ii. in the same paragraph the final sentence should read "The student compiles a portfolio during the major and submits a final assessment at the end of their four years of study."
3. Proposal from Prof. Harkins to teach RS10 in a one-week format:
Prof. Epstein distributed the guidelines for one-week course submissions from the Journal of Record. Prof. Miecznikowski observed that the amount of reading required might be optimistic. Prof. Schaffer asked whether the course allowed sufficient time to digest and reflect upon the materials before the final exam (the department had said that there was, and at least according to their minutes there had been no further discussion). Prof. Epstein added that Prof. Davidson had already taught RS10 in a one-week format in the past. Prof. Petrino noted that the course was taught with an intervening weekend, which could allow time for reflection. Prof. Harding asked how students are to know that they are supposed to be doing a good part of the reading ahead of time: is this information in the catalogue? Is there danger of a student enrolling at the last minute, without doing the advanced reading? As to the latter, Dean Weiss said that there was a deadline of December 18 for registration. Prof. Harding thought the one-week format was more appropriate for courses that did not require much advanced preparation. Prof. Schaffer asked what the rationale/justification was for one-week courses. Prof. Im replied the format made courses available to students from other schools, as well as allowing our own students a chance to catch up after courses have been dropped for some reason, as well as a flexibility in accommodating the core in majors with a high number of required courses. Prof. Epstein suggested that it allowed faculty to be paid for overload work, and Prof. Rosivach said that it allowed students, including athletes, who would otherwise begin the second semester on probation to return in good standing. Returning to the course at hand, Prof. Im suggested that Prof. Harkins should send an e-mail to the students enrolled in the class informing them of the course requirements and readings; Prof. Harding said this information could also be included in the University College bulletin. Prof. Harkins' proposal to offer RS10 in a one-week format was then approved, five voting in favor, one against, and one abstaining.
4. Proposal for CO597/598/599:
Prof. Epstein pointed out that these courses were part of the graduate course offerings in Communications but had not been included in the previous submission. The courses are identical, each number being a function of the semester in which it is taught; the course, however, can only be taken once. Prof. Harding asked why there were three different courses. No one seemed to know, and Prof. Harding suggested that Prof. Epstein send the department an e-mail asking why. Prof. Rosivach moved to accept the courses pending clarification. Prof. Harding noted that credit for teaching the course will be affected by the ongoing discussions about credit for teaching overloads and independent studies. She added that that this was of particular interest to the A&SCC since the committee has expressed its concern with the effect of undergraduate faculty teaching on the graduate level. Prof. Harding was also surprised that there was no syllabus for independent study, but Prof. Epstein said that the independent-study form required by the Registrar would be sufficient. The courses were then approved unanimously (pending the clarification requested above).
5. Proposal for AH290:
Prof.
Petrino noted that this course was part of the new track for museology
with the
Art History program. Prof.
Miecznikowski felt that more specifics were needed on what the students
were to
learn on the museum visits but Prof. Hard thought this had been
adequately
explained on p. 6 of the draft syllabus.
Prof. Im noted that Art History will also have to change the
number of
its Special Topics course (currently 290). The
committee voted unanimously to accept the course. (It
was subsequently noted that the
syllabus should be shortened to fourteen weeks, the fifteenth week
being for
finals.)
6. Proposal to teach AH290 in a one-week format:
Prof. Rosivach pointed out that in the one-week format there was only one day devoted to museum visits instead of two, and that the reading list had been considerably reduced, and he questioned how fair this would be to the students who take the full-semester course if the same credit could be obtained while doing far less work in the one-week course. Prof. Epstein indicated similar concerns. Prof. Rosivach said that in the case of one-week courses the whole course should be reconceptualized to take into account the constraints and opportunities of the reduced format, rather than simply cutting down a standing course. Prof. Petrino (and later Prof. Im) moved to send the course back to Art History for reconsideration so that the requirements will be brought in line with those for the full-semester course. The motion was approved unanimously.
As part of this discussion there was a brief consideration of two-week courses. There was a consensus that although the number of class hours remained the same as in one-week courses the two-week format allowed students more time for preparation and reflection.
7. Proposal for change in Communication major requirements:
The main focus of discussion was on the change whereby majors in Communication would no longer be able to count CO100 and CO130 for their Social Science core courses, the intention being to provide the majors with greater breath. Dean Weiss thought that the matter should go to the UCC since it involved changes in a core requirement. Prof. Rosivach pointed out that other departments also specify what courses their majors must take in the core. Prof. Petrino agreed that there really was no change in the core, just a question of having these students take particular courses in the core. Prof. Im suggested it would be more positive to add a requirement of two additional Social Science courses rather than telling these students what they cannot take, and would provide the students with a clearer rationale for the requirement. Prof. Im also felt that the change could leave the impression that Communication was holding itself back from the other social and behavioral sciences. Dean Weiss pointed out that these courses could still be used as Social Science core by students who chose to switch from Communication to another major. After further discussion Prof. Im withdrew his motion. Prof. Rosivach suggested that the chair thank Communication for informing the committee of this change, and Prof. Epstein agreed to do so. It was agreed that the committee should not try to micromanage the department. Prof. Hardin raised the question of the feasibility of a double major in Biology and Communication; Dean Weiss felt that this was possible to work out.
Respectfully submitted,
Vincent J. Rosivach
recording secretary pro tempore