Minutes
Curriculum Committee
November 28, 2006
Members: James Swartz (Chair), Gerald Adams, Eliza Willis, Erin Hurley, Lee Sharpe, Dan Reynolds, Jason Cook, Tinsley Hunsdorfer and Michael Billups.
1. The minutes of 11/14/2006 meeting were approved.
2. The committee reviewed the following draft that will be used for divisional discussions at the beginning of next semester concerning ad hoc distribution requirements for OCS, Independent Major, Second Major, and early graduation.
Possible Alternatives:
1. Require minimal distribution requirements of 12 credits in each of the three divisions.
Pro: This approach would ensure that all students have a significant coursework in all three divisions. Would remove the current application of distribution requirements to only those students who wish to study off campus, graduate early, or declare double or independent majors.
Con: Does it violate the commitment to a curriculum without core requirements? Would it undermine our advising system? Could be a very difficult to administer. Would students be able to count physical education credits as distribution credit in social studies? How would be count interdisciplinary courses? Should the focus be on divisions or particular skills that we wish students to acquire?
2. Vote to endorse the distribution requirements as currently applied by the OCS Board and the Dean.
Pro: Provides a simple solution to concerns about the illegitimacy of the present system. Faculty would "empower" these actors to apply these requirements to students seeking "special" privileges. Faculty retain their prerogative over requirements.
Con: Retains the inequality that exists in the current system. Treats off-campus study and double majors as "privileges." On what grounds can we say they are privileges?
3. Faculty would instruct the OCS Board and Dean what distribution requirements to impose on students seeking special privileges. These requirements could be the same for all students or could be differentiated depending on the type of privilege sought.
See above.
4. Require students wishing to study abroad, declare a double major, etc. fulfill the six elements of a liberal arts education as currently outlines in the catalog. Each department would identify which courses encompass one or more of these elements. Students wishing to study abroad, etc. would have to choose courses that will fulfill the six elements.
Pro: Could be automated and removes the discretionary aspect of our current process of decision making. Would emphasize the fulfillment of educational goals instead of merely taking courses in a division. It is more intellectually defensible than option #1.
Con: Could be too flexible. Faculty might claim their courses fulfill most (if not all) of the elements thereby rendering the requirement meaningless.
5. Eliminate all divisional distribution requirements except for those students seeking early graduation.
Pro: Very simple to implement. Perhaps most in keeping with "truth in advertising."
Con: Removes an important source of control over access to "special" Privileges.
3. All internship applications were approved.