General Education Committee Minutes, 4/24/13
Members present: H. Ausland, R. Baker, L. Calderon, S. Caro, J. Randall, K. Reiser, T. Squires,
N. White
Members Absent: L. Frey, K. Huthaily, F. Rosensweig
The minutes from 4/10/13 were approved.
Communication Item:

The last meeting will be May 8th
Business Items:

Follow-up responses have been received for two of the pending science courses. However, the
science subcommittee has not yet discussed them so action was postponed.
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The Committee discussed the various options communicated at past meetings or via recent
email correspondence.
Options currently offered for consideration:
1. Reiterate and tighten the recommendation made to ASCRC last year and add a statement
of support for the idea that myriad skills enhanced by studying a foreign language are
themselves an incentive to pursue language study: Effective autumn semester of 2014,
undergraduates must fulfill the general education modern and classical language
requirement unless enrolled in a program of study requiring more than 48 credits leading to
a first baccalaureate degree. Credits for the program of study include all requirements for the
primary major including options and designated pre-requisite courses, excluding general
education courses unless required by the major.
Learning language enhances intellectual skills that are broadly relevant across the
curriculum and greatly enhance the quality of a liberal education. These skills include
attention to detail in the close analysis of language, attention to logic and grammar, and the
capacity for deliberate speech and written expression. These broad communication skills are
transferable to every discipline that involves careful speech, careful thinking, and careful
writing.
2. Eliminate the symbolic systems exception; offer a diversity track for extended majors to
meet the language requirement. These courses would also fulfill another gen ed group so
would not add additional credits. (Listed below are current broad focused courses that may
be used to satisfy this requirement, there are many others in the Indigenous and Global
Perspective that are more specialized.)
*ANTY 122S Race and Minorities
ANTY 330X Peoples and Cultures of the World
SOCI 220S Race, Gender, and Class
ANTY 326E Indigenous Peoples and Global Development
COMM 251X International and Development Communication
3. Allow any students pursuing a degree in a major that is exempt from the credit cap to
substitute a language class for either an X or Y perspective (Y if the language is spoken in
Europe.)
4. Students exempted from the language requirement must show that they have been
exposed to other cultural perspectives or have gained global awareness of the profession.
This could include a track within the existing general education groups or courses within the
major that meet the learning outcomes. A mechanism would need to be established to
administer the requirement. Sample paths for credit heavy programs should be prepared as
examples
5. Students taking second, third, or fourth year language should have access to scholarship
funds.
6. Second year language course may count for an X or Y course for any student
7. Market a minor in language as an essential skill for our times and the future
8. Offer a financial discount to students in credit-heavy majors who elect to take a language
class in the summer.
9. Discount all language classes in the summer; waive campus fees.
The Modern and Classical Language department discussed Professor Ausland’s motion from the
March 27th (below). It was amended to require one year of language study rather than two and
endorsed by the department. The Department is working to make the offerings more flexible in
terms of number of credits and times offered. Professor Ausland will inquire as to whether a
three- day model with a one-hour lab scheduled by the student is currently utilized or would be
feasible. The study of language exposes students to a different linguistic perspective not just
culture.
"Whereas ASCRC has expressed a desire to find ways to encourage students to enroll in foreign
language course, and whereas the current university requirement allows students to evade this
via a "symbolic systems" option, and whereas the standard requirement at credible universities
of the same class as UM is for at least two full years of language study without any such
alternative option, be it resolved that the requirement for foreign language study at UM cease to
include an alternative option of "symbolic systems", and be extended to two years."
The study of language exposes students to a different linguistic perspective not just culture. The
study of language has an intrinsic value and is essential to the integrity of a liberal arts
education. Members are not convinced that allowing language to fulfill the Global and
Indigenous or American and European perspective should be considered given the lack of
clarity in the current definitions / criteria. The Committee would rather strengthen the
requirement. Other options explored but not listed include a language requirement for all
Bachelor of Arts degrees or allowing the first language course to fulfill an X or Y and the
second to fulfill an expressive arts course.
Chair White will draft a recommendation for ASCRC that includes 1) desire of the committee to
strengthen the language requirement, 2) professor Ausland’s motion as first choice, 3) list the
other options / incentives considered with pros and cons identified, and 4) a statement of
Modern and Classical Languages commitment to make it easier for students to take language
courses by offering 3 credit and flexible scheduling of courses. The draft language will be sent
to committee members for comment / endorsement for possible presentation to ASCRC next
Tuesday.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m.