Berkeley Division of the Academic Senate
Subcommittee on the Breadth Requirement in American Cultures
ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014
APPROVED
2013-2014 Annual Report of the Subcommittee on the
Breadth Requirement in American Cultures
The Subcommittee on the Breadth Requirement in American Cultures (the Subcommittee)
is a subcommittee of the Berkeley Division Committee on Courses of Instruction.
Professor Lisa García Bedolla (Education) served as the 2013-2014 chair of the
Subcommittee and served as an ex-officio member on the Committee on Courses of
Instruction in accordance with Berkeley Division Bylaw 33.
The Subcommittee reviewed a total of 66 course and instructor proposals and student
petitions for satisfaction of Berkeley Division Regulation 300, American Cultures Breadth
Requirements. Subcommittee members evaluated proposals and petitions to ensure
courses were integrative and comparative; addressed theoretical and analytical issues
relevant to understanding race, culture, and ethnicity in American history and society; and,
took substantial account of groups drawn from at least three of the following: African
Americans, indigenous peoples of the United States, Asian Americans, Chicano/Latinos,
and European Americans.
I. Finished Business
The following chart summarizes the actions of the Subcommittee during the 2013-2014
academic year.
Total
Approved
Denied
Pended or
Tabled
New Berkeley Course
7
6
0
1
Review of New
Instructor for Existing
Berkeley Course
34
30
2
2
Temporary Approval
of Berkeley Course
0
0
0
0
New Off-Campus
Course
1
1
0
0
Berkeley Division of the Academic Senate
Subcommittee on the Breadth Requirement in American Cultures
ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014
APPROVED
Student Petition
(Berkeley Course)
0
0
0
0
Student Petition
(Non-Berkeley Course)
24
12
12
0
TOTAL
66
In addition to regular Subcommittee business, Chair García Bedolla met periodically
with Catherine Koshland, Vice Provost for Teaching, Learning, Academic Planning
and Facilities. Topics of discussion included articulation, reinstituting the position of
Director of the American Cultures Center, and the hiring of a student to support the
Center’s new program assistant.
The Subcommittee invited Victoria Robinson, Coordinator of the American Cultures
Center, to attend Subcommittee meetings. Dr. Robinson participated in discussions
regarding course proposals and student petitions. In 2014-2014, the American Cultures
Center initiated publication of a monthly newsletter and coordinated a celebration
marking the 25th anniversary of the American Cultures requirement.
II. Unfinished Business
One action was pended at the last meeting of the Subcommittee on May 9, 2014:
Proposed instructor change for African American Studies 190AC and Ethnic Studies
180AC, Fall 2014. The proposal was withdrawn over the summer and may be
resubmitted for Spring 2015.