Approved by University Studies Sub-Committee April 21, 2004 A2C2 Action Pending

Approved by University Studies Sub-Committee April 21, 2004.. A2C2 action pending.

WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY

PROPOSAL FOR UNIVERSITY STUDIES COURSES

DIRECTIONS FOR THE DEPARTMENT

This form, Proposal for University Studies Courses, is to be used to submit course proposals for inclusion in the University Studies Program. Read the directions below for information on providing course descriptions. The department must include the University Studies Approval Form with this proposal. Copies of each of these forms are attached. Refer to Regulation 3-4, Policy for Changing the Curriculum and the University Studies Program and Policies Document for complete information on submitting University Studies courses.

The following points are contained in the University Studies Program and Policies Document (Section IV. Course Approval Process).

Material to be submitted for course approval for Course Requirements:

Course proposals must address all specified outcomes.
The course proposal must include documentation of Course Requirements and learning activities designed to meet the course outcomes specifies for the area.
The course proposal must include a course description (e.g., a syllabus or course outline for distribution to students) that clearly identifies (to the student) the course as a University Studies Course.
The course description (e.g., a syllabus or course outline for distribution to students) should also include information directed to the student that clearly identifies course activities and assignments that address the course outcomes.
Sequences of courses may be submitted to satisfy area requirements. In this case the requested material or documentation in items 1-4 must be submitted for all of the courses in the sequence.
The USS may request other material (e.g., textbooks) for review in evaluation course proposal.
The USS may request additional information for re-approval.

Material to be submitted for course review of Flagged Courses:

1.The USS recognizes that decisions as to which courses meet department flag requirements reside with the department offering the courses. Nevertheless, departments are required to demonstrate how flagged courses address the relevant outcomes for each flag.

2.Departments should submit course descriptions for flagged courses to the USS and the syllabus should clearly identify the course as a course that satisfies a flag requirement within the University Program.

3.The course descriptions for flagged courses should include information directed to the students which clearly identifies activities and assignments that address the outcomes.

4.The USS has the right to comment on department plans for flagged courses and to offer suggestions.

5.No flagged course will satisfy University Studies Course Requirements in the University Studies Program.

If the proposed course is a new course, it must be submitted for approval as a new course (see above) before submission as a University Studies course.

WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY

PROPOSAL FOR UNIVERSITY STUDIES COURSES

Department ______BIOLOGY______Date ______3/19/04______

___BIOL 109______Microbes & Society______3______

Course No.Course NameCredits

This proposal is for a(n)__X____ Undergraduate Course

Applies to:______Major______Minor

_____ Required_____ Required

_____ Elective_____ Elective

University Studies (A course may be approved to satisfy only one set of outcomes.):

Course Requirements:

Basic Skills:Arts & Science Core:Unity and Diversity:

_____ 1. College Reading and Writing_____ 1. Humanities_____ 1. Critical Analysis

_____ 2. Oral Communication_____ 2. Natural Science __X__ 2. Science and Social Policy

_____ 3. Mathematics_____ 3. Social Science_____ 3. a. Global Perspectives

_____ 4. Physical Development & Wellness_____ 4. Fine & Performing Arts_____ b. Multicultural Perspectives

_____ 4. a. Contemporary Citizenship

_____ b. Democratic Institutions

Flagged Courses:_____ 1. Writing

_____ 2. Oral Communication

_____ 3. a. Mathematics/Statistics

_____ b. Critical Analysis

Prerequisites ______NONE______

Provide the following information (attach materials to this proposal):

Please see “Directions for the Department” on previous page for material to be submitted.

Attach a University Studies Approval Form.

Department Contact Person for this Proposal:

___David W. ______

Name (please print)Phonee-mail address

WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY STUDIES APPROVAL FORM

Routing form for University Studies Course approval. Course______BIOL109, Microbes and Society______

Department Recommendation_____ Approved_____ Disapproved
______
Department Chair Datee-mail address
Dean’s Recommendation_____ Approved_____ Disapproved*
______
Dean of College Date
*In the case of a dean’s recommendation to disapprove a proposal, a written rationale for the recommendation to disapprove shall be provided to the University Studies Subcommittee.
USS Recommendation_____ Approved_____ Disapproved_____ No recommendation
______
University Studies Director Date
A2C2 Recommendation_____ Approved_____ Disapproved
______
Chair of A2C2 Date
Faculty Senate Recommendation_____ Approved_____ Disapproved
______
President of Faculty Senate Date
Academic Vice President Recommendation_____ Approved_____ Disapproved
______
Academic Vice President Date
Decision of President_____ Approved_____ Disapproved
______
President Date
Please forward to Registrar.
Registrar ______Please notify department chair via e-mail that curricular change has been recorded.
Date entered

University Studies Course Approval

Department or Program: Biology

Course Number: BIOL 109

Number of Credits: 3

Course Title: Microbes and Society

Catalog Description: Microbes and Society 3 S.H. An exploration of the microbial world and how that world influences life on earth. Through lectures, assigned readings, Internet explorations, videotapes, writing assignments, and discussions the power and influence of selected microorganisms on history, medicine, economics, the environment, demography, the arts, and human lives will be examined. Grade only. Offered yearly.

This is an existing course that has previously been approved by A2C2: No

This is a new course proposal: Yes.
(If this is a new course proposal, the WSU Curriculum Approval Form must also be completed as in the process prescribed by WSU Regulation 3-4.)

Department contact Person for this course: David W. Essar

Email:

Material Submitted for Course Approval

Overview of BIOL 109: Students in BIOL 109 will explore the world of microorganisms and have the opportunity to learn how that world has influenced our planet as well as our human lives. Through lectures, assigned readings, Internet explorations, videotapes, writing assignments, and discussions the course will explore the power of selected microorganisms and how this power has influenced history, medicine, economics, the environment, demography, the arts, and, of course, individual human lives. BIOL 109 is a University Studies Course (Unity and Diversity: Science and Social Policy) designed for biology nonmajors. There will be reading assignments for each class period, and five writing assignments which will be part of the course evaluation criteria. It is expected that students will attend and actively participate in all class sessions. In class, the student will encounter lecture, collaborative and cooperative learning activities, worksheets, discussions, videos, demonstrations, and other activities designed to provide the biology content and the study skills necessary to become more scientifically literate. Participation in the class will be part of the evaluation for the course. In addition, there will be a final comprehensive exam, as well as four hourly exams.

Microbes and Society, Biology 109 has been specifically designed to ensure that the students will:

!understand the scientific foundation of the selected topic

!understand the social, ethical, historical and political implications

associated with the topic,

!understand and articulate the need to integrate issues of science with social

policy,

!evaluate the various policy options relevant to the social dilemmas posed

by the science, and

!articulate, choose among, and defend various policy and/or scientific

options to cope with the challenges created.

In addition to the above general objectives, successful students in Microbes and Society will be able to:

!describe how microorganisms positively and negatively affect society, the

environment, and individual human lives,

!list and describe the various infectious diseases that can affect humans and

society,

!list ways infectious diseases can be treated and, more importantly,

prevented, and

!demonstrate how a knowledge base in biology and microbiology can lead

to more informed scientific decision making, especially decisions that are

morally or ethically based.

Outcomes Grid

Lecture & Videotapes /

X

/ X / X
Reading Assignments / X / X / X
Class Discussion / X / X / X / X / X
Writing Assignments / X / X / X
Examinations / X / X / X
1. / Requirements and learning activities that promote students’ abilities to:
understand the scientific foundation of the topic.
Through lectures, videotapes, reading assignments , and classroom discussions, this course provides students with a basic understanding of microbiology and the influence of selected microorganisms on history, medicine, economics, the environment, demography, the arts, and human life.
2. / Requirements and learning activities that promote students’ abilities to:
understand the social, ethical, historical and/or political implications of the topic.
The social, ethical, historical, and political implications of such topics as germ warfare, bioterrorism, AIDS, Mad Cow Disease, antibiotic resistance, sexually transmitted diseases, biotechnology, food preservation and safety, emerging diseases, and global disease eradication will be addressed through lecture, videotapes, reading assignments, and class discussion. Two videotape series, The Coming Plague and Unseen Life on Earth will be integrated into this course. In addition to class discussion, students will demonstrate their understanding of the social, ethical, historical, and political implications of microbes through writing assignments and examinations.
3. / Requirements and learning activities that promote students’ abilities to:
understand and articulate the need to integrate issues of science with social policy.
Lectures, videotapes, and reading assignments are designed such that students will understand the social and political implications of topics such as germ warfare, bioterrorism, AIDS, Mad Cow Disease, antibiotic resistance, sexually transmitted diseases, biotechnology, food preservation and safety, emerging diseases, and global disease eradication (noted in “2” above) and will include how hey are related to either current or proposed social policies. In addition to participation in classroom discussions, students will articulate their understanding of the need to integrate issues of science with social policy through writing assignments and examinations.
4. / Requirements and learning activities that promote students’ abilities to:
evaluate the various policy options relevant to the social dilemmas posed by the science.
Presentation of various policy options relevant to the social dilemmas posed by science will be introduced to the students in lecture, videotapes, and reading assignments. This requirement will primarily met through student participation in classroom discussions of the topics noted in “2” and “3”. In addition to participation in classroom discussions, students will evaluate various policy options relevant to the social dilemmas posed by science through writing assignments and the essay portions of examinations.
5. / Requirements and learning activities that promote students’ abilities to:
articulate, choose among and defend various policy and/or scientific options to cope with the challenges created.
As noted above, students will discuss and write about the social ramifications of policy choices relating to the issues identified in “2” or related topics, often taking positions in favor or opposing specific policy options.

Approved by University Studies Sub-Committee. A2C2 action pending.

Microbes and Society (BIOL 109)

PROPOSED SYLLABUS

"While the human race battles itself, fighting over ever more crowded turf and scarcer resources, the advantage moves to the
microbes' court. They are our predators and they will be victorious if we, Homo sapiens, do not learn how to live in a rational
global village that affords the microbes few opportunities. It's either that or we brace ourselves for the coming plague."
--- Laurie Garrett, The Coming Plague

Instructor Information:

Instructor: Dr. David W. Essar

Office: 215B Pasteur HallOffice Phone: 457-4572E-mail:

Catalog description: Microbes and Society - 3 S.H. An exploration of the microbial world and how that world influences life on earth. Through lectures, assigned readings, Internet explorations, videotapes, writing assignments, and discussions the power and influence of selected microorganisms on history, medicine, economics, the environment, demography, the arts, and human lives will be examined. Grade only. Offered yearly.

Course HomePage:

Course Objectives: Students in BIOL 109 will explore the world of microorganisms and have the opportunity to learn how that world has influenced our planet as well as our human lives. Through lectures, assigned readings, Internet explorations, videotapes, writing assignments, and discussions the course will explore the power of selected microorganisms and how this power has influenced history, medicine, economics, the environment, demography, the arts, and, of course, individual human lives. BIOL 109 is a University Studies Course (Unity and Diversity: Science and Social Policy) designed for biology nonmajors. There will be reading assignments for each class period, and five writing assignments which will be part of the course evaluation criteria. It is expected that students will attend and actively participate in all class sessions. In class, the student will encounter lecture, collaborative and cooperative learning activities, worksheets, discussions, videos, demonstrations, and other activities designed to provide the biology content and the study skills necessary to become more scientifically literate. Participation in the class will be part of the evaluation for the course. In addition, there will be a final comprehensive exam, as well as four hourly exams.

This course applies to the Science and Social Policy category within the Unity and Diversity section of the W.S.U. University Studies Program. This category has five outcomes for activities which promote student’s abilities to:

1. understand the scientific foundation of the selected topic

2. understand the social, ethical, historical and political implications associated with the topic,

3. understand and articulate the need to integrate issues of science with social policy,

4. evaluate the various policy options relevant to the social dilemmas posed by the science, and

5. articulate, choose among, and defend various policy and/or scientific options to cope with the challenges created.

Microbes and Society has been specifically designed to ensure that the students will successfully meet these five outcomes.

Outcomes Grid

Lecture & Videotapes /

X

In addition to the above general objectives, successful students in Microbes and Society will be able to:

!describe how microorganisms positively and negatively affect society, the environment, and individual

human lives,

! list and describe the various infectious diseases that can affect human society,

! list ways infectious diseases can be treated and, more importantly, prevented, and

! demonstrate how a knowledge base in biology and microbiology can lead to more informed scientific

decision making, especially decisions that are morally or ethically based.

Required Text: Microbes and Society: An Introduction to Microbiology by I.E. Alcamo (Jones & Bartlett, 2003)

Course Evaluation: You will EARN your grade based on the following criteria:

Written Assignments*:(125 pts)

Short paper on a specific disease 25 pts

Antimicrobial assignment 25 pts

Travel Report 25 pts

STD Report 25 pts

Class Participation: 25 pts

Exams: 200 pts

Total: 350 pts