CURRICULUM COMMITTEE MINUTES
Friday, May 8, 2009
Room C243
9:00 a.m.
Attendance: Karen Aubin, Rick Bennett, Anthony Benoit, Ann Branchini, Jeff Crouch,
Dave Ferreira, Kathy Gundersen, Christine Hammond, Mildred Hodge, Brian Kennedy, Anne Lamondy (for Ellen Freeman), Christine Languth, Kacey McCarthy-Zaremba, Carole Lee - Recorder
Guests: Diba Khan-Bureau; Mark Comeau, Grace Jones, Peg Stroup, Linda Tremer
Meeting commenced at 9:20 a.m. Dean Branchini welcomed guests.
Kathy Gundersen motioned to accept the minutes of previous meeting; seconded by Rick Bennett, unanimously approved.
WIA Programs - Peg Stroup shared that WIB has increased the training dollars for credit programs. Students can now receive up to $6,000 toward technology degrees listed regardless of whether they already receive Pell Grant funds. Peg asked the department chairs to check the list of programs that she distributed and asked that if there is a program on the list that they want, get it to Peg. Tony Benoit noted that the number on the chart indicates total amount for students including transportation, etc. If there are any other questions, please feel free to call Peg.
Perkins Performance Indicators – George Rezendes shared his findings on the Perkins/CCP Enrollment reporting which is conducted by occupational clusters for program year 2007-2008.The Fed/State Dept. of Education is holding each level more responsible for dollars spent. This report is shared with the National Clearing House. Dean Branchini noted that we are pretty typical with all the other community colleges in the system. Sharon Koch had asked that faculty send requests for Perkins attached to Performance Indicators. George noted that an Institutional Effectiveness Plan reminder email will be coming out shortly which will help us greatly. He is willing to work with and help anyone as much as he can. Connecticut’s overall rate is lower than national rate, but still consistent throughout the system. Contact George with any questions or concerns.
1. Curriculum
Diba Khan-Bureau and Mark Comeau and Tony Benoit presented three certificate proposals two of which are related to Federal Grant proposals.
New Degree/Certificate Proposals
· Sustainable Landscape Ecology & Conservation Technician – The objective of this certificate program is to provide students with entry-level skills required to fill technician jobs in the areas of sustainable landscape design, planning, and conservation. The certificate in sustainable landscape ecology & conservation will provide students with the options to obtain work or to continue their education to acquire an A.S. or an advanced degree.
There are two new courses required for this certificate that were also presented for approval at this time. The Committee decided to bring these courses forward for approval in conjunction with the certificate.
ARC K2XX – Sustainable Design (3 credits) is a course that explores sustainability in design, healthy design, renewable energy, cogeneration, recycling, low VOC, zero carbon, and LEED as they relate to regional and urban planning, building design, building envelope, building interior environment, site ecology, energy resources, and infrastructure and transportation. There are no pre-requisites for this course. Cannot be used as a Fine Arts elective.
Karen Aubin moved to approve this course; seconded by Jeff Crouch. Unanimously approved.
Jeff Crouch motioned to approve; seconded by Mildred Hodge. Approved with one abstention.
· BIO K121- General Biology I (Hybrid) – Sarah Selke (sitting in for James Copeland) presented this first-run Hybrid course proposal for approval. The 3-hour weekly lecture will be taught on line and the 3-our weekly lab will be held on ground. Ellen Freeman motioned to approve; seconded by Chris Hammond; unanimously approved.
· PSY 220 Educational Psychology – This course is currently in the system, but just not offered here. Presented by Jeff Crouch, proposed by Pamela Carroll, this course is required for the Teaching Pathways Program that ECSU has initiated with Three Rivers. Implementation date is Spring 2010. This course can be used as an advanced 200 level LAS/GS elective and transfers to ECSU. Rick Bennett motioned to approve; seconded by Kathy Gundersen; approved with one abstention.
· EDU 1xx Teaching in the Twenty-first Century - This course is designed for students considering education as a major and teaching as a profession. Students will have an opportunity to experience primary, middle and secondary education through site visits, guest speakers and varied media. Students will obtain a systematic body of knowledge from which they can develop a repertoire of teaching practices to meet the learning needs of students with diverse learning styles, developmental needs, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. This course in not common course numbered, but is one of the three courses that have been designed as the education foundation courses for the proposed Teaching Pathways Program. Kacey McCarthy-Zaremba will check to see if it is already in the system. This course will transfer to ECSU. Mildred Hodge motioned to approve course; seconded by Rick Bennett; approved with one abstention.
· ECE 241 Methods and Techniques for Infants/Toddlers Care – This course will be offered during the summer through workforce development for TVCCA and is required for all in this field. It will be a one-week session. It was suggested that there should be a recommended pre-requisite and that is could be offered as a GS course at the discretion of the department/instructor/program coordinator. The pre-requisite would be waived for those already in the industry. Rick Bennett suggested that this proposal go back to the department for reconsideration of the pre-requisite issue. A 3-credit course being offered in one week with no pre-requisite is questionable. Christine Hammond asked if it can be brought back in the Fall, Jeff Crouch noted that it may not run again after this summer; this course is needed for TVCCA certification. There was more discussion about the validity of a 200-level course being offered during one-week. It was suggested that the Social Science department can “exempt it out” that ECE 241 does not count as an elective for other than GS as it is not on the list of acceptable electives. Rick Bennett motioned to approve course with specification that it does not count as an elective for other than GS; seconded by Christine Hammond; approved with one abstention.
· MAT 143 – Math for Elementary Education: Algebra, Number Systems – This course is designed for students planning to become certified in early childhood, elementary or middle school level education. Problem solving strategies will be developed and integrated throughout, in accordance with the NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics. This is an existing course in the system and is a requirement for the Teaching Pathways Program and would transfer as MAT 139 to ECSU. Question was asked about checking the resources (manipulatives) and general wording for specific calculators. Is it fair to give students “extra expense” by specifying (TI – Texas Instrument) calculators? Christine Languth noted that it is recommended that TRCC students stop at MAT137. Ellen Freeman motioned to approve with recommended change of specific brand calculator; seconded by Christine Hammond; approved with one abstention.
· Technical Writing (Hybrid) ENG K202 and Literature and Composition (Online) ENG K102 - Kem has worked with Janet Hagen during last summer on the ENG 102 course and it is already being offered this semester. Kem has checked and so far it is going very well. Mildred Hodge motioned to approve the online ENG 102 proposal; seconded by Kathy Gundersen; approved with one abstention. Jeff Crouch motioned to approve the hybrid ENG 202 proposal; seconded by Mildred Hodge; approved with one abstention.
Course/Catalog Changes – INFORMATION ONLY
· CJS 220 (Criminal Investigation) – Change prerequisite of CJS 213 (Evidence & Criminal Procedure) to co-requisite. Implementation for Fall 2009.
· MAT 075 (Prealgebra) - Delete sentence “A grade of C# or better is required to pass this course.” in MAT 075; and MAT 095 (Elementary Algebra Foundations) – leave pre-requisite as is. Effective immediately.
· New course description (added topics taught not listed): This is the first course in the calculus sequence intended for students who plan on majoring in mathematics, physical sciences, or engineering technology. Topics include: rate of change, limits, continuity, and differentiation of algebraic, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions, differentials, applications of differentiation, definite and indefinite integrals, and applications of integration. Effective immediately.
· MAT 285 (Differential Equations) more information for students – A continuation of calculus with an introduction to standard techniques of solving differential equations. The following topics will be introduced: first-order differential equations, linear equations of higher order, power series methods, Laplace transform methods, linear systems of differential equations, numerical methods and modeling by differential equations in a variety of applications in physics, chemistry, engineering, biology, social sciences, and finances. Effective immediately.
It was noted that the changes to MAT 075/095 will not be able to make it into the printed catalog, but they will be made on the website.
SGN K101 –Sign Language I (updated/common course description and designator) ASL K101 American Sign Language I – This is a first course of study of American Sign Language, the language used by the Deaf Community in the United States. ASL I introduces students to the fundamentals of ASL grammar, vocabulary, finger-spelling, numbers, and visual-gestural communication. Introduction to Deaf Culture is integrated into this beginning level course.
SGNK 102 – Sign Language II – (updated/common course description and designator) ASL K102 American Sign Language II – This is a continuation of American Sign Language I and further covers fundamentals of ASL grammar, vocabulary, finger-spelling, numbers and visual-gestural communication. Continued study of Deaf Culture is integrated into this course. The pre-requisite is ASL K101 with a grade of “C” or above, or permission of instructor.
Program Changes
· Termination/Suspension of Montessori Ed. Option Program – Jeff Crouch stated that no one has yet to sign up to get a degree in this option, the Montessori Teaching Institute will eventually be terminated as it is not an academic program and we currently do not have a credentialed person to teach this. It is costly to hire someone from the outside. It will be phased out to allow the six (6) students that are currently in the program to complete. Dean Branchini noted that she is very sorry to have to terminate this program as it was started by Terry Dezso who believed very strongly in Montessori. Motion made by Ellen Freeman to approve; seconded by Rick Bennett; approved with one abstention.
· Pathways to Teaching Careers, AA – Jeff Crouch presented this on behalf of Terry Delaney. This was purposely designed to parallel the first two years of study at a CSU for CCC students preparing to enter a baccalaureate program in primary or secondary education. Two new course proposals (EDU 1XX Teaching for the Twenty-first Century) and PSY K220 (Educational Psychology) -have already been presented and approved earlier in this meeting. Noted that the credits needed to be changed on the Humanities offerings to read 6 and the number of credits on Other/Electives needed to be changed to 6. After this change was agreed to, Jeff Crouch motioned to approve; seconded by Chris Hammond; approved with one abstention.
2. Additional Items/Announcements
· Fall Schedule 2009 – Christine Languth noted that the schedule is done with the same number of classes as the Fall 2008 schedule, however there are 23 additional sections needed! Will have to use Friday afternoons; evening and Saturday mornings in order to add these sections. There is a 7% enrollment increase foreseen. In a letter received from the Chancellor he notes that we may have to cap at the Fall 2008 enrollment number; if so, we need to ask continuing students to enroll ASAP. There will be a registration site in the cafeteria to take on some of the overload of registration. Continuing students are required to pay fees asap; registration dates are posted on the web. We can expect high enrollment; the hybrid and online classes are a big help as far as classroom space is concerned.
· Additional responsibilities will still be there. There is nothing in the pike to do away with it. Faculty need to be able to tie additional responsibilities to College/Academic goals and priorities. Dean Branchini stressed that the contract does not allow the Dean to work individually with anyone in what they do as far as additional responsibility. She will continue to have meetings with Academic Division faculty regarding college goals/priorities to set goals (planning meeting) on how to go forward with writing additional responsibility proposals from that with deadlines as stated. AR’s are turned in to Department Chairs, and then they go to the Academic Dean and from there to department members once approved.
· Steve Neufeld gave a brief overview of what is going on with the GenEd Task force. It has been in existence for approximately 4 years as a mandate from the State DHE to have an assessment to take stock of what is being taught and the content. There are eight goals and statement outcomes. The task force is in the process of curriculum mapping to determine what gen ed outcomes are currently being taught in the curriculum. There are some TRCC courses that don’t have course outcomes as yet; but they are being worked on. The GenEd Task Force is developing assessment for 2 or 3 goals. At the next GenEd meeting they will try to develop a time line for a long term strategic plan. All goals do not need to be assessed at one time. Dean Branchini noted that there has been a timeline all along; we have achieved everything to date according to this timeline. We do need to make the process better to get at the heart of our curriculum.
· Questions were raised regarding the new course proposal form as to how does the new course proposal form support GenEd goals; should GenEd outcomes be listed on the proposal form; include description of assessment activities; list library resources. Steve will bring the form back next month after the committee has had a chance to see it.
Dean Branchini noted that the Curriculum Committee’s policy is that it is used as a body of the Academic Division assessments that came from this group. The GenEd Task Force is a subcommittee of Curriculum Committee; Textbook Committee also has implications from Curriculum as do the following: EdTech Committee; Library/Library Advising Group; Scheduling Committee. Dean Branchini mentioned that she does forsee things coming to this committee from the aforementioned committees more often.