Core Curriculum Advisory Committee
May 3, 2013
12 Voting Members in attendance
HMS239
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Specific Issues
Is there a lab associated with this course?
Need to clarify how students will apply scientific method
Do we require a lab?
Science are strong believers in labs.
Committee members felt if a course is offered without a lab and one with a lab, they would
tend to take the one without.
Not clear what lab is on this course.
In defense of labs, Dr. Downing stressed it is what finishes scientific method.
Dr. King expressed concern at making decisions on things that have been decided after the
fact, we did not state there had to be a lab!
We cannot make a decision on whether or not there is a lab.
Dr. Szafran feels there should be an opportunity to address this.
Dr. Blount made a motion this be unacceptable as does not cover scientific method, the
motion was seconded, the vote was:
FOR the motion:
7
AGAINST the motion 5
Result: Unacceptable for the core
PHY 118
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Specific Issue:
Appears to be music specific and violates SACS rule 2.7.3 that courses should not “narrowly
focus on those skills, techniques, and procedures specific to a particular occupation or
profession”.
This is taught every third semester.
This course specifically developed with music majors in mind .
72% from the major
28% outside major
Dr. King made a motion this be unacceptable to the core. This was seconded, the vote was:
FOR the motion
11
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ABSTAIN
1
Have to be more diverse if want revised, content to be broadened
Result: Unacceptable for Core
PHY 241 & 242
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Specific Issue:
Existing justification completely inadequate needs to be rewritten as per original guidelines.
Require calculus –
Subcommittee’s issue is that it is focused on Physics majors.
Why? Asked is this really entry level science for students, Dr. Downing stated yes for good
students.
Could these two courses be moved to the major?
Why are we counting these as core courses?
Usually not first course they take have.
Have 70/80 pre-engineering majors in fall, less than half carry on in that area.
Students can take this class, if they change major this will carry over.
Dr. Blount made a motion to accept into the core, pending revisions, motion was seconded,
the vote was:
FOR the motion
8
AGAINST motion
2
ABSTAIN
1
Result: The course is approved.
MTH 233:
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Specific issue:
Add language to mention that a freshman student can place into the course by standardized
test score, etc.
The committee felt this language should be added.
Question is it too elevated for the core?
Make it clear who can take and what pre-req required.
Dr. Blount made a motion to accept into the core with revisions, the motion was seconded, the
vote was:
FOR the motion
11
AGAINST the motion 1
Result: The course is approved.
HMS203
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Specific issues:
Justification would be improved by adding the phrase “society and culture” to the last
sentence:
Dr. Szafran explained that his department did not propose two very popular current core
classes because of the guidelines.
New core talks about eight areas core areas must have added foundational for reason.
Dr. Szafran made a motion that this was unacceptable, the motion was seconded, the vote was:
FOR the motion
5
AGAINST the motion 5
(acceptable with revisions)
ABSTAIN
2
Stalemate! Because not foundational course
Prepared for particular occupation and profession.
Dr. Jerry Williams had expressed through Dr. Szafran he felt there misinformation at
curriculum review level.
Dr. Steward took issue that noting for the College of Education has been approved so far.
Result: Stalemate, will have to re-vote at next meeting when more members are there.
Because it was felt there would similar issues with the other courses, it was decided to bring
them to next meeting when we have everyone there for discussion.
An email letter will be sent regarding each application on May 17th, with recommended
revisions due by July 15.
Subcommittee will review.
If unacceptable it will come to full committee.