University Curriculum Committee Minutes 2011-08-25

Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by John Swinton at 8:34 a.m., in Arts & Sciences Room 315.

Attendance
Members Present: John Swinton, Cara Meade, Scott Butler, Stephanie McClure, Esther Lopez, Martha Allen, Caralyn Zender, Kevin Crabb, and Kay Anderson

Regrets: Elissa Auerbach

Guest: Mary Magoulick

Action Items
CSCI 1200 Current Topics in Computer and Information Technology (1 hour) for Area D for Non-Science Majors

Because this course is not a combined lecture/lab course, it only needs to meet one of the Area D outcomes.  Discussion included comments on whether the outcomes should include stronger emphasis on critical thinking and application.  It was agreed to send a request to the department to change the course outcomes from “understand” to “demonstrate understanding” in appropriate areas.  Upon a vote, the course was approved 9-0-0.  This course will now be forwarded to CAPC and University Senate as information items, and will be submitted to the Provost and President for on-campus approval.  The course will then be forwarded to the System General Education Committee for review. 

Discussion Items
Stephanie McClure suggested hosting forums for faculty who are currently teaching GC1Y courses – and for faculty who are interested in proposing GC1Y courses or teaching them in the future – to share ideas and strategies.  As discussion continued, the committee recognized that faculty might find it helpful to have forums on a number of other topics related to the core and its implementation.  The committee decided to recommend that the Provost continue holding core forums on specific topics, including GC1Y and GC2Y development, to encourage such discussion across campus.  John Swinton asked that committee members send him examples of topics that they believe would be beneficial to the campus community.

Cara Meade provided some history on assessment in both the core and general education at Georgia College.  Discussion followed as to how this ad hoc committee and CAPC might play a role in assessment of the core curriculum in the future.

 The committee discussed future meeting times, and decided to meet at 8:30 every Thursday throughout the semester.   Meetings will be canceled on weeks in which there is no business to conduct.

Announcements
John Swinton sent an email to department chairs last week asking for B2 submissions. 

Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 a.m.