Members Present: H. Bruce, V. Hedquist, N. Hinman, S. Justman, M. Medvetz
Members Excused/Absent: A. McKeown, D. Stolle
Ex-Officio Present: L. Carlyon, N. Mattina, K. Ryan, A. Walker-Andrews
Chair Hedquist opened the meeting at
The minutes were amended and approved.
Communication:
Associate Professor Arlene Walker Andrews handed out an appeal to the members of the Appeals Subcommittee.
Unfinished Business:
Follow-up writing review –PSC
300
The committee briefly discussed the additional
information received to justify PSC 300.
It is not a course that integrates writing into the curriculum; it is
rather an internal mechanism to meet the needs of the department. The committee agreed that PSC 300 should be
removed from the writing course list. The department is currently offering an
experimental 195 writing course, as well. Chair Hedquist will inform the
department of the committee’s decision.
New Business:
Writing Report from Kathleen Ryan, Director of Composition
Professor Ryan introduced the Composition/Rhetoric Studies Collective
mission and goals (see document).
Professor Medvetz explained the developing Writing Studies Program at the
Professor Bruce provided information regarding the mission of the Montana Writing Project (see document).
Discussion on writing
In light of the goals set forth by the Collective,
it was asked what the committee could do.
The criteria are not in line with the orientation of composition/rhetoric
studies, and should be examined and revised.
The Collective might consider drafting revised criteria for the
committee to review. The problem and
goals should be clearly identified and then the committee could propose
solutions. The Collective would like to have broader
outreach to assist faculty in incorporating writing into their courses. Writing should be used to help students learn
content. It will always be difficult to
assess whether a course is meeting objectives from the syllabus. There needs to be a resource for faculty
teaching writing courses to engage in discussions of effective teaching methods
–perhaps a workshop or clinic that is mandatory. Faculty development is necessary. Changing
the campus culture will be challenging, but the committee needs to take the
lead in the discussion.
The meeting was adjourned at