CHABOT COL LEGE
Curriculum Committee Minutes
February 1, 2005
Members Present:
Desmond Chun, JoAnn Galliano, Cindy Hicks, Gayle Hunt, Diana Immisch, Bill
McDonald, Lupe Ortiz, Dan Raveica
Ex-Officio
Members Present:
Jane Church, Edna Danaher, Ron Taylor
Guests:
Mike Absher, Debbie Budd, Tom Clark, Chad Mark Glen, Marge Maloney
I.
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 2:02 by committee chair Cindy Hicks.
II.
Approval of Minutes of January 25, 2005
MSC (Chun/Hunt) that the minutes of January 25, 2005, be approved as presented.
III.
Spring Calendar of Events
Cindy Hicks distributed the proposed spring calendar. The committee had no changes or
suggestions.
IV.
Initial Review of GE Proposals
For the committee’s reference, Cindy distributed the timeline for the District Instructional
Programs Task Force.
Cindy distributed the proposals received:
•
•
•
•
American Cultures (unit neutral)
U.S. History, Government, and Informed Citizenship (3 units)
Health Education (3 units)
Physical Education (1 unit)
Cindy reviewed the proposed GE pattern, as recommended by the Curriculum Committee
and approved by the Faculty Senate on September 2, 2004, and commented on how these
proposals might fit into that proposal.
Title 5 mandated requirements
A.
Language and Rationality
English Composition ........................................... 3 units
Communications and Analytical Thinking .......... 3 units
B.
Natural Science .................................................... 3 units
C.
Humanities ........................................................... 3 units
D.
Social and Behavioral Sciences ........................... 3 units
(To be determined by the college) .................................... 3 units*
Could be U.S. History, Government, and Informed
Citizenship or Health Education
18 units
Curriculum Committee
2-1-05, page 2
Proposed additions
*U.S. History, Government, and Informed
Citizenship or Health Education ................................ 3 units
Physical Education............................................................ 1 unit
22 units
Cindy advocated that instead of just approving the above proposal, the committee look
carefully at the proposed additions to be sure that they are vital to the education of our
students, because any additions we make to the proposed GE pattern will impact
students’ time and money.
Ron Taylor reported that the college adopted Learning Goals in December. They are
available on the Academic Services website (http://www.chabotcollege.edu/academics)
and should be considered when reading the proposals. Also to be considered are the
college’s Mission, Vision, and Goals. Cindy commented that all the proposals must
address these areas and proposals not addressing them, if any, may submit revisions
before the next meeting.
American Cultures (Suggestion that this be changed to “U.S. Cultures”—see below
under U.S. History…)
Mike Absher questioned the “0-3 units” listed on the American Cultures proposal.
Cindy replied that it could be termed “unit neutral” because the units can be used to
satisfy other requirements.
Cindy stated that one of the goals of today’s meeting is to provide information for
Ron Taylor and Marge Maloney to take to Friday’s District Task Force meeting. She
asked if members had suggestions.
JoAnn Galliano commented that students are having trouble with the availability of
American Cultures courses, and it is very difficult to satisfy this requirement with a
course from another college. She thinks we should provide equivalencies in the form
of majors or courses of study that satisfy the requirement.
Cindy has heard comments asking if we should look again at the changing world in
which we live. Bill McDonald would like to see the criteria expanded to include
sexual orientation. Ron asked whether our courses meet CSU’s requirements. Bill
replied that we do not have articulation agreements; decisions are made on a case-bycase basis.
The committee discussed whether having this as a GE requirement is the only way to
address American Cultures. Ron suggested integrating the concept across the
curriculum. Bill replied that in his opinion the results would be “watered down.”
U.S. History, Government, and Informed Citizenship
In answer to the question of how we would choose the courses that satisfy this
requirement, Cindy stated that we would use the criteria listed on the proposal.
Diana Immisch commented that we seem to be looking “inward” rather than
“outward” in this area. Marge Maloney replied that we had to take the international
Curriculum Committee
2-1-05, page 3
relations courses out of the pattern in order to have our program accepted by CSU.
Discussion focused on whether there is a way to list both CSU transfer and other
areas of student interest (such as local politics, international culture, or world
religions) in the catalog. Cindy commented that we must address transfer students
but should remember that the AA is not a transfer degree.
There was discussion on the title—should it remain “U.S.” History? Consensus was
that our students should have some understanding of U.S. history, government, and
citizenship. Marge commented that “American” refers to the North and South
American continents, not just the United States. With this in mind, it was suggested
that the “American Cultures” requirement be changed to “U.S. Cultures.”
Health Education
Ron Taylor commented that both this proposal and the Physical Education proposal
are aimed at the same goals.
Regarding “Integration of mind, body, and spirit for healthy quality of life,” a
discussion ensued on whether a GE Health requirement is the only way of
accomplishing this goal. Ron Taylor and JoAnn Galliano spoke in favor of the
requirement being appropriate for this desired outcome.
The committee agreed that in order to properly consider this proposal, a broader
criteria statement is needed. Dale Wagoner will be asked to expand this area of the
proposal. It was suggested that the courses that meet this area should include a
discussion of health in a capitalistic society and the mixed messages we give our
students (i.e., Coke ads and vending machines, food served in the cafeteria, etc.).
Cindy will ask Dale to provide expanded criteria; we will continue the discussion
next week.
Physical Education
JoAnn reported that the Surgeon General’s report states that requiring students to
take a physical education course leads to students continuing to maintain fitness on
their own.
Jane Church introduced a discussion on combining Health and PE into one area.
Diana favors this approach to accommodate different personal styles. Debbie Budd
commented that the division feels very strongly that the two areas should be kept
separate. Ron added that any Learning Goal should be backed by both theory and
practicum courses. Cindy replied that she wouldn’t want to see required courses
being paired in this way as part of the GE.
The committee discussed allowing students to obtain waivers if they are involved in
physical activities outside of school. Bill feels that this would be hard to document.
Proposals will be posted on the Curriculum Committee intranet with a cover memo
outlining discussion to date and providing avenues for feedback from the college.
Curriculum Committee
2-1-05, page 4
V.
Announcements
A joint Curriculum Committee/Senate meeting will be held on February 24.
VI.
Good of the Order
None
VII.
VIII.
Next meeting: February 8, 2005
The meeting was adjourned at 4:10 p.m.
kk 2/3/05
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