curriculum and educational policies committee
Annual Report
June 17, 2004
St. Olaf College
Members of CEPC for 2003-04:
Carolyn Anderson (SAS) David Booth (IGS), chair Mary Cisar (Registrar) Steve Hahn (HUM) Alice Hanson (FA) |
Mary Sue Lovett (Library) Jim May (Provost and Dean) Thomas Rusert (Student Senate) Paul Zorn (NSM)
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A. New Course Subcommittee (Paul Zorn, convenor).
On the recommendation of the subcommittee, CEPC recommended the faculty adopt 36 proposed new courses. CEPC reinstated one "dormant" course. See details in Appendix A.
B. Special Studies Subcommittee (Steve Hahn, convenor).
On the recommendation of the subcommittee CEPC approved 12 new courses as part of the curriculum for interim or summer school. See details in Appendix B.
C. Honorary Degrees Subcommittee (Alice Hanson, convenor).
On the recommendation of the subcommittee the committee moved the faculty recommend the regents confer one honorary degree. Motion to the faculty passed.
D. Foreign Language Subcommittee (Mary Cisar, convenor).
On the recommendation of the subcommittee, the committee approved two and denied three student petitions to fulfill the GE requirement for foreign language by the route of courses in translation.
E. Other Actions.
1. Principles for Appraising the Contributions of Departments and Programs to the Curriculum as a Whole.
The committee offered the task force on the nursing program a list of principles to insure the task force had a framework for valuing contributions to the overall curriculum as part of their work. The committee will make the list of principles broadly available for use in future discussions of program mix and quality (see Appendix C).
2. Dance Major
The committee moved the faculty approve proposed changes to the requirements for the Dance major. Motion to the faculty passed.
3. History Major.
The committee moved the faculty approve proposed changes to the requirements for the History Major. Motion to the faculty passed.
4. English Major.
The committee moved the faculty approve proposed changes to the requirements for the English major. Motion to the faculty passed.
5. Concentration in Biomolecular Science
The committee moved the faculty approve proposed changes to the requirements for and name of the Concentration in Molecular Biology. Motion to the faculty passed.
6. Statistics Concentration.
The committee moved the faculty approve proposed changes to the requirements for the Statistics Concentration. Motion to the faculty passed.
7. Russian Language and Area Studies.
Approved request to change the name of the former Russian Language and Central European Studies Department.
8. Norwegian Major.
The committee approved proposed minor changes to the requirements for the Norwegian major.
9. Record keeping in cases of academic dishonesty.
In response to a request from Steve McKelvey, Associate Dean of Students, the committee drafted a letter describing our view of desirable policies governing record keeping for students accused of academic dishonesty.
10. Academic Calendars through 2006-07
The committee approved proposed academic calendars as presented by the registrar.
11. Community Time.
With RPC, the committee presented to the faculty a report from an ad hoc committee on Community time, and offered a ballot through which faculty expressed preferences regarding the future of Community Time.
12. Policies on Probation and Dismissal.
In response to request from Mary Cisar, Registrar, and Steve McKelvey, Associate Dean of Students, the committee approved changes to policies regarding probation and dismissal.
13. Policy on Departmental Distinction.
The committee clarified policies regarding departmental distinction.
F. Other Discussions.
1. Quarter-Credit Courses.
The committee expressed concern that incremental increase in program requirements, often through additional 0.25 credit courses, threatens to put inappropriate pressure on student schedules and faculty teaching loads.
2. Assessment: NSSE and Critical Thinking.
The committee discussed the colleges use of the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) and various instruments for measuring Critical Thinking.
3. Classroom space and scheduling guidelines.
In recognition of sharp demands on classroom space across the campus, the committee endorsed the registrars proposal to require strict departmental adherence to course scheduling guidelines.
4. Flexible Registration Structures.
Prompted by the problem of securing insurance for nursing students during summer practica that span the two summer sessions, the committee discussed the need for more flexible registration structures to treat students as fully enrolled throughout summer for insurance purposes.
Appendix A: New Courses Approved
- Biology 110:Supplemental Biology
- Biology 386: Animal Behavior (cross-referenced as Psychology 386).
- Biomolecular Science 201: Explorations in Biomolecular Science (0.25)
- Chemistry 106: Forensic Science
- Chemistry 107: Forensic Science with Lab
- Computer Science 231: Mathematical Foundations of Computing.
- Computer Science 233: Theory of Computation.
- Computer Science 252: Software Design and Implementation Laboratory.
- Computer Science 268: Ethical Issues in Software Development
- Computer Science 273: Operating Systems.
- Computer Science 284: Client-Server Applications.
- Computer Science 350: Advanced Team Project.
- Computer Science 390: Senior Team Project.
- Dance 100: Exploring Dance
- Dance 110: Fundamentally Dance
- Economics 222: Game Theory in Economics
- Education 322: Teaching of Reading K-6
- English 215: Fiction Down Under
- English 371: Advanced Poetry Writing
- English 374: Screenwriting
- Environmental Studies 222: Campus Ecology.
- Environmental Studies 225: Environmental Political Theory
- History 183 - Cynicism and Hope in Modern America
- History 189 - Topical Seminar
- History 202 - Ancient: Near East
- History 203 - Ancient: Greece
- History 209: The Early Middle Ages
- History 212: The High and Late Middle Ages
- History 221: Modern Britain (reinstated)
- History 241 - Historical Perspectives on Race and Ethnicity in Latin America
- History 282 - Native American History
- History 290 - Reel America: U.S. History in Film
- ID 145 - The Internet and the Intellectual "Commons"
- Math 228: Quantitative Methods in Ecology & Evolution
- Norwegian 140: Norway: Continuity and Change.
- Religion 320: Interpreting Sacred Texts
- Statistics 272: Statistical Modeling
Appendix B: New Interim and Summer Courses Approved
1. Asian Studies 245: International Politics of Northeast Asia
2. Biology 310: Zoo Biology
3. Education 314: Social Studies in Elementary Classrooms
4. Education 315: Reading, Communication, and Literacy Methods
5. Education 316: Science, Health, and Active Living
6. Education 317: Mathematics for Elementary Classrooms
7. Management Studies 257: Entrepreneurship and New Venture Formulation
8. Math 224: Investigative Mathematics
9. Music 238: The Music of Indonesia
10. Norwegian 130: Rebelling Against Traditions: Love, Sex, and Family in
Nordic Films Today
11. Psychology 239: Drugs, the Brain and Behavior
12. Religion 217: Christian and Islamic Ethics: Conflicts and Cross-pollination
Appendix C: Principles for Appraising the Contributions of
Departments and Programs to the Curriculum as a Whole
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A department or program makes a significant contribution to the curriculum as a whole when: |
Mission, History, Identity |
it offers courses in a distinctive field that is closely related to the mission and identity of the college. |
General Education |
its courses contribute significantly to the general education curriculum of the college. |
Interdisciplinary Collaboration |
its courses and its faculty participate significantly in the colleges commitment to interdisciplinary research and teaching (exemplified in interdisciplinary programs, majors, and concentrations; in interdisciplinary research and teaching collaborations among faculty; and in the structure of many general education requirements). |
Support for Faculty Scholarship |
the work of its faculty supports scholarship and teaching by faculty in other departments and programs. |
Support for Students Learning |
it serves many student constituencies, including the departments own majors, students seeking general education, and students seeking necessary foundations for work in other majors. |
Student Engagement |
its students make significant contributions to classes they take in other departments and programs. |
Assessment |
it models the effective use of inquiry in support of student learning to improve teaching and learning. |
Attracting Students |
its subject attracts to the campus students whose presence contributes to other established goals of the college (academic excellence, diversity, etc.). |
College Reputation |
its high reputation among peer programs at other institutions serves to attract excellent faculty, students, and resources to the college, or when its absence would harm the colleges standing among peer institutions. |
