ASCRC Minutes 11/13/07

 

Members Present: L. Economides, J. Cox,  I. Crummy, J. Graham, S. Gauthier, E. Henderson, J. Luckowski, P. Muench, M. Nielsen, P. Silverman, L. Tangedahl, H. Thompson, G. Weix

Members Absent/Excused: J. Burfeind, T. Hunter, S. Lodmell, K. Nalty

Ex-Officio Present: M. Hoell, D. Micus A. Walker-Andrews

Guest: Associate Dean Tompkins

Chair Thompson called the meeting to order at 2:15 p.m.

 

The minutes from 10/6/07 were approved.  

 

Communications:

 

The possibility of a meeting on November 20th was discussed.  The committee needs to complete curriculum.

 

Business Items: - Curriculum Review

 

Business and Journalism Subcommittee
The pending program modifications in medical information technology relating to MED 217 were withdrawn.


Education and Fine Arts  Subcommittee
The Drama department is considering separate courses for the different sections of DRAM 107A.  The Registrar indicated that it would be possible to change the section offered in the title as well. The department will likely submit revised forms.

Humanities Subcommittee
Items are still pending. 

 

Social Sciences Subcommittee
The remaining items on the summary were presented and approved with the exception of EVST 460, EVST 470, GEOG 303 and WGS 463.  The subcommittee would like a reading list in order to approve WGS 463.  And EVST 460, EVST 470, and GEOG 303 are taught by adjunct faculty members. 

The issue of whether adjunct faculty should be proposing new courses was briefly discussed.  In previous years this was not used as a criterion to reject courses and it is not fair to change the policy in the middle of review.  However, the issue is becoming more prevalent and a policy will need to be considered.  It was therefore suggested that the subcommittee review the courses on the merit of the course without consideration of the faculty status. Thus COM 251, EVST 460, EVST 470 and GEOG 303 will be reconsidered by the subcommittee.

The Geography Department submitted course forms for two changes related to the Central and Southwest Asian Studies Courses.  These have not yet been considered by the subcommittee.  The proposals from Central and Southwest Asian Studies were approved.

 

Business Item – Service Courses
The concerns regarding sensitive populations was addressed by adding language on the form.  The following catalog language was approved and will be on the December 6th Faculty Senate Agenda.

 

UM 2008-09 Catalog Language, pg 25, following the section on “Cross-Listed and Equivalent courses” and before the section headed “Technical Courses.”

Service Learning Courses

Service Learning is a method of teaching and learning in which students, faculty and community partners work together to enhance student learning by applying academic knowledge in a community-based setting. Student work addresses the needs of the community, as identified through collaboration with community or tribal partners, while meeting instructional objectives through faculty-structured service work and critical reflection meant to prepare students to be civically responsible members of the community.  At its best, service learning enhances and deepens students’ understanding of an academic discipline by facilitating the integration of theory and practice, while providing them with experience that develops life skills and engages them in critical reflection about individual, institutional, and social ethics.

Courses based upon the service learning instructional method are designated as Service Learning courses in each semester’s Schedule of Classes.

 

Business Item – Certificate Guidelines

The committee discussed the draft certificate guidelines and made a few minor changes. The clean copy will be approved at the next meeting.  The proposed certificates in Entertainment Management and Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management were approved according to the revised guidelines.


Good and Welfare
Chair Thompson will meet with Scott Gauthier and refine the repeat fee motion, so there will be no need for the committee to meet next week.  Members were wished a Happy Thanksgiving.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.