Minutes
of the General Education Committee
of the Academic Senate
California State University San Marcos
September 28, 2004
Attendance: Staci Beavers, Paul Jasien, Garry Rolison, Patty Seleski, Carlos von Son, Marshall Whittlesey, David Barsky, Virginia Mann.
I. Approval of Agenda – M/S/P
II. Approval of Minutes from 9/21/04 Meeting – M/S/P
III. Chair’s Report
Staci Beavers will focus next week’s GEC meeting on recertification, specifically reviewing materials provided to GEC by departments/programs in response to Committee inquiries last spring and this fall. Staci has been in contact with Mary Atkins re CCR. CS100 was offered through Extended Studies this semester but all sections were cancelled due to low enrollment.
Carlos von Son has joined the General Education Committee as a representative from Humanities/Fine Arts. Staci and the Committee welcomed Carlos.
IV. Academic Programs/General Education Coordinator’s Report
David Barsky noted that CS100 did not appear on the on-line class schedule because it is offered through Extended Studies and their special session classes have a very different fee and refund structure. Since information on this course through Extended Studies is more difficult for students to find, the campus will need to more aggressively publicize the course. Patty Seleski suggested that perhaps it was best not to offer CS100 in the fall; those who don’t pass the CCR could then enroll for the course in the spring. David noted that the CCR webpage is now linked to the GE webpage.
David has prepared a chart for Committee members which shows the distribution of UDGE courses throughout the past six semesters. It was noted by members that BB courses are heavily weighted with Biology courses. David will speak with Michael McDuffie regarding the distribution of BB courses during his standing meeting with Michael and Ranjeeta this week.
Carmen Nava, Faculty Center Director, and David met to discuss the New York Times Knowledge Network. A faculty forum, facilitated by a faculty member from another CSU, will be held the first week of the pilot distribution of the newspaper. Details will follow.
A revised UDGE spreadsheet was passed to all Committee members. It will be posted by Virginia on the GE website this week, with a request for corrections from departments/programs, if noted. Virginia will provide Patty with a dozen copies of the spreadsheet for her CoAS Department Chairs’ meeting this Thursday.
V. Old Business
A. Syllabus Guidelines – Staci and Garry Rolison have met to rework the Syllabus Guidelines. They distributed the new version to Committee members, who liked the newly softened tone. There was a discussion regarding the wording of the phrase “facilitate evaluation of faculty.” It was suggested that instead the guidelines “might help faculty provide information for their WPAF”, or wording to that effect. David will check with Candace regarding the wording of restrictions on the use of UDGE courses and pass that information to Patty, who is working with Staci to develop a “mock” syllabus to be attached to the Syllabus Guidelines.
B. Curriculum Packet #1 –
BIOL 309 – Biology of Emerging Diseases (BB)
Staci has emailed Bianca Mothé regarding Committee questions but has not yet received a reply.
CS 301 – Computer Mastery (BB)
Staci provided the GEC with a draft email to John Chang, Chair of Computer Science, regarding the Committee’s decision not to recertify this course as a BB course. Staci will send the email to John Chang on Wednesday.
CS 307 – Useful Computer Algorithms for Problem Solving (BB)
Staci will email the originator and chair (Rika Yoshii/John Chang) to request more information on the homework element (70%) of this course.
FMST 400 – Topics in Cinema Studies (CC)
This submission from LTWR appears to be a generic topics course number, although there are materials attached to the UDGE form for three separate courses. For GE certification, each course must be submitted separately. David will look into what other curriculum forms have been submitted for FMST 400 and report back to the GEC.
HIST 338B – Native Communities in Southern California from Colonization to the 20th Century (DD).
Garry Rolison moved for approval; Carlos von Son seconded and the course was approved for DD credit*.
LTWR 103 – Literature and Health (C2)
Carlos von Son moved for approval; Patty Seleski seconded and the course was approved for C2 credit*.
* David noted that both of the courses approved today are contingent upon UCC approval.
Packet #3 containing PSCI recertification materials was distributed. Staci will provide the syllabi and Virginia will distribute them this week, to be attached to Packet #3. Patty will take the lead on Philosophy recertification for next week’s meeting.
David will forward Academic Senate-approved recertification guidelines to all GEC members.
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