Subcommittee on Core Curriuclum Minutes 2014-09-12

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Julia Metzker at 1:00 p.m. in Arts & Sciences 2-51.

Attendance

Voting Members Present: Nancy Beasley, Ruth Carter, Roberta Gorham, Mary Magoulick, Cara Meade, Julia Metzker, Joe Mocnik, Brandon Samples Patrick Simmons, Amy Sumpter, Sheryl Winn, Dana Wood
Non-Voting Member Present: Kay Anderson

Agenda

The agenda was approved as distributed.

Minutes

The minutes from September 5 were approved as distributed.

Action Items

The committee’s primary discussion item for this meeting was short-term, mid-term, and long-term recommendations for the global overlay requirement. The GC general education curriculum currently requires students obtain three exposures to global perspectives by completing courses (or study abroad experiences) that carry the overlay. Through a standing waiver, transfer students are only required to complete one global overlay. The majority of students are able to obtain three exposures to the overlay through a combination of core, major, elective, or study abroad courses. However, a significant minority of students slated to graduate in Spring 2015 are projected to not have completed at least one of the three required exposures. This issue is particularly germane to students in majors that do not have courses in their curriculum with a global overlay and students that transfer to Georgia College. To date, the Registrar estimates that at least 80 Spring 2015 “new core” graduates will not have completed three global overlays and will require a waiver to graduate.

To address these issues, the committee approved the following proposals, all of which passed on a voice vote without dissent.

First, the committee supports waiving the global overlay requirement for students slated to graduate in the 2014-2015 academic year that have been unable to complete the requirement. Because this is only a recommendation, this action will be passed on as an information item but will require no further action by University councils or committees. These waivers are already in process through the Registrar’s Office.

Second, SoCC requests that the Provost’s Office work with programs with clearly identifiable global courses in their curriculum to complete the application for a global overlay in the Fall 2014 semester. Again, as this is only a recommendation, this will be forwarded to the Provost’s Office and shared through University Senate as an information item. Kay Anderson agreed to help compile a list of courses that could be considered that have not already been approved.

Third, SoCC recommends that exposures to a domestic diversity overlay, which is in development, be allowed to replace up to two of the required Global Overlay exposures for all currently enrolled students and all who matriculate in 2015 to 2016. Because this motion involves a change in our current general education requirements, it will need to go forward to CAPC and University Senate and later be approved by the Provost and President. Because these requirements were part of our original general education plan that was submitted to the University System, it may also have to be submitted through system councils.

Finally, SoCC committed to developing a long-range plan that forecasts the demand for Global Overlay exposures and includes sustainable strategies for meeting the forecasted demand. SoCC also voiced support for the continued exploration of a permanent domestic diversity component to the general education curriculum.

Discussion Items

Cara Meade asked about whether someone from SoCC was included in the Diversity Task Force discussions about the core. Dana Wood stated that she was on the committee. Julia asked if there were any additional volunteers who would be willing to serve if the Diversity Task Force were open to a liaison. Cara and Ruth Carter both volunteered.

Cara Meade circulated drafts of rubrics for individuals who are reviewing GC1Y and GC2Y courses. Please read through and submit feedback.

Next Meeting

The committee’s next meeting will be Friday, September 19, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. in Arts & Sciences 2-51.

Adjournment

The committee adjourned at 2:00 p.m.