CLASS Subcommittee – Curriculum Committee Minutes
January 18, 2017
3:15 Vance 105
Present: Don Adams (Rep. for CLASS), Laura Bowman (Psych. Sci.), Dan D’Addio (Music), Nancy Hoffman (Ed Lead), Michelle Kusaila (Accounting), Jacob Kovel (MCM), Carlos Liard (Econ.), Rati Kumar (Comm), Vivian Martin (Journalism), Kate McGrath (History), Briana McGuckin (Library), YunliangMeng (Geography), Beth Merenstein (Curr. Chair), Shizuko Tomoda (Modern Lang.), Mary Anne Nunn (English), Paul Petterson (Chair), Warren Perry (Anth), TalatSalama (MCM), Eleanor Thornton (Design); Will Watkins (Crim.), Leanne Zalewski (Art)
Guest:Andrea June (Psych. Sci.), Jim Mulrooney (SEST), Robbin Smith (Poli Sci.)
A.Approval of Minutes
Motion: M.A. Nunn/ L. Bowman
Vote: Approved unanimously
B. FYE 101: First Year Experience
1. Glynis explains changes in next proposal for FYE. It was used by First in the World Grant Recipients as pilot. There were 4 sections this fall. The syllabi and content are good, but some of the materials need to be redone or modified.
2. Asking for 4 additional sections of regular CCSU students.
Motion: L. Bowman/ C. Liard
Vote: Approved with 1 objection (M.A. Nunn)
C. B.A. Political Science with Specialization in Legal Studies
1. R. Smith explained its rationale. There are a number of students interested in Law School, and they wanted courses to help with this.
2. This is possible now, but they need very good advising. This makes it clearer.
3. There is an Ethics requirement, and Philosophy is allowing us to use their classes.
4. There are related requirements from Sociology and Economics. This has also been approved.
Motion: C. Liard/Y. Meng
Vote: Approved unanimously
D. French, German, Spanish, and Italian Pathways
1. C. Pesca explains the proposed Pathways. Treated together as a package.
Motion: M.A. Nunn/ L. Bowman
Vote: Approved unanimously
E. CRM Courses and Program Packet
1. S. Block explains that the program is moving to some 4-credit courses. They did a department audit and discovered that seniors failed writing and research skills to a greater extent than before. The 4-credit courses will allow greater support and training in these areas. The Methods course will be 4-credits. They will also be required to take 2 4-credit 400-level electives. This means that these courses cannot be transferred in, and we can guarantee the quality of their education and training. To keep it at 39 credits, we are eliminating one of the electives.
2. They also changed the numbering. All 3 credit upper electives are at the 300 level. All 4 credit upper electives are at the 400.
3. J. Mulrooney asked about how this increase in faculty load will effect students’ ability to get courses as there will be fewer courses. S. Block said that the department has already determined how to make sure to meet seniors’ needs. Load balances can also be done through our capstone internship course.
4. M.A. Nunn asked about the contact hours. Does evaluation of writing count? S. Block explained that the students will have an extra hour of online instruction. D. Adams also explained that it is also related to the size of the majors. There are too many students to have on-ground extra hour of instruction.
Motion: L. Bowman/ K. McGrath
Vote: Approved with 2 abstentions (M.A. Nunn/ V. Martin)
F. EDSC 435
1. S. Hoffman notes that the requisites are outdated and it should not be variable. This makes it clear that student-teaching is for 9 credits.
Motion: M.A. Nunn/ L. Zalewski
Vote: Approved unanimously
G. ENG341
1. M.A. Nunn explains that the name is outdated. No other changes.
Motion: V. Martin/ L. Zalewski
Vote: Approved unanimously
H. LSC 150
1. It is just a name and description change. It reflects the new frameworks on Informational Literacy. The additional of “digital” is also to give a better sense of what content is in the course.
Motion: M.A. Nunn/ L. Zalewski
Vote: Approved unanimously
I. MUS 178, 278, 378, 478
1. D. D’Addio explained the need to reduce to meet 120 credits. They will all be reduced from 2 to 1. It is now down to 119 credits.
Motion: M.A. Nunn/ L. Bowman
Vote: Approved unanimously
J. BSED Music Education and Music BA
1. Reflects changes to 178, 278, 378, and 478
Motion: M.A. Nunn/ C. Liard
Vote: Approved unanimously
K. PS 446
1. P. Patterson explained the change of the title from generic Public Budgeting. It also reflects that much of this is taught as a process. The course is not changing.
Motion: M.A. Nunn/ C. Liard
Vote: Approved unanimously
L. PSY Package
1. L. Bowman explains the conversion of 1 400-level to 300 and 1 300-level to 1. This creates consistency across the curriculum.
2. It will also remove PSY 440 from Experimental. It does not make conceptual sense to have it there.
Motion: M.A. Nunn/ C. Liard
Vote: Approved unanimously
M. Geography Package
1. Y. Meng discussed the department’s reforms of their courses to reflect changes in modern times. They removed some of the old, outdated courses and added new ones.
Motion: M.A. Nunn/ C. Liard
Vote: Approved unanimously
N. Public History Minor
1. K. McGrath explain the need to modify the minor to account for the changes to 301.
Motion: M.A. Nunn/ L. Bowman
Vote: Approved unanimously
O. Religious Studies Minor
1. D. Adams explained that this was a request of the English department. The required courses have pre-reqs that have been waved for students, but they then fail. It will be electives but not required.
2. K. McGrath noted the changes to HIST 435 and 436 to 335 and 336.
Motion: D. Adams, C. Liard
Vote: Approved unanimously
P. Gerontology Courses
1. This is for current master’s students who wish to get additional certificate in gerontology to meet the needs of an aging population. Those in the undergraduate program will also take them.
2. Graduate courses and Certificate deferred to Graduate Studies
Motion: C. Liard/ L. Bowman
Vote: Approved unanimously