Curriculum Committee Minutes
November 28, 2000
Present: Barry, Beck, Breitenbach, Clark, Hale, Kerrick, Lenderman, Livingston, Neff-Lippman,
Neshyba (chair), Pasco-Pranger, Pinzino, Stevens, Sugimoto, Tomhave, Warning, Washburn.
Visitor: Ricigliano.
Neshyba called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. Because the minutes for the meeting of
November 21 were not yet posted, approval of the minutes was deferred.
Announcements
Washburn distributed two draft versions of a revised Course Proposal form, which will be
discussed at the next meeting. She also reminded members that they will need to choose a new
chair for the spring semester at the next meeting.
Continued Discussion of Revisions to the Curriculum Statement
The Committee resumed discussion of Section IV.C. At the previous meeting Neff-Lippman had
distributed the following draft revision: “Expectations across the curriculum. (1) Throughout the
curriculum, courses should consider the subject matter in a multicultural context. Each student
should become familiar with the values, assumptions, and perspectives of cultures different from
her or his own. (2) The faculty recognizes that writing lies at the heart of a liberal arts education.
Thus each student should encounter significant writing experiences throughout the core and in
the major.”
The Committee first took up Point 1. Neff-Lippman indicated her willingness to accept the
suggestion made at the previous meeting by Pasco-Pranger that the phrase “whenever it is
appropriate and possible to do so” be reinserted in the first sentence of Point 1 so that it reads
“Throughout the curriculum, whenever it is appropriate and possible to do so, courses should
consider the subject matter in a multicultural context.” Warning expressed his dissatisfaction with
the statement, calling it a toothless expectation that pays only lip service to a vague and indefinite
notion of multiculturalism. He preferred a stronger requirement or none at all. Breitenbach
commented that lip service is a form of service; moreover he doubted that the faculty would agree
to adopt a stronger requirement. Barry noted that this expectation is reiterated in Section II of the
Curriculum Statement (“Educational Goals for the University”) and, more strongly, as one of the
review questions in the Self-Study Guide for departmental curriculum reviews.
Discussion shifted to Point 2 of Neff-Lippman’s draft. She stated her concern that her statement
about “significant writing experiences throughout the core and in the major” might not be strong
enough or inclusive enough. Hale suggested that the phrase “throughout the core and in the
major” be replaced by “throughout the curriculum.” Neff-Lippman agreed to that modification.
Barry observed that Section IV is about the Core; since these statements about multiculturalism
and writing refer to the entire curriculum, they more properly belong in a new and separate
Section V. Breitenbach and Kerrick expressed confusion about how this statement about writing
throughout the curriculum relates to the existing requirement for Writing in the Major. Washburn
explained that the existing writing requirement for majors still appears as part of the instructions
for departmental curriculum reviews.
Noting that Section II (“Educational Goals for the University”) mentions “the ability to
communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing,” Barry asked why it is necessary to
create a separate statement calling for writing throughout the curriculum. He noted that the same
was true of the statement on multiculturalism. He asked what the standing of these statements in
Section IV.C. would be and, more particularly, how these aspirations would be measured and
assessed. Neff-Lippman replied that we are already doing such an assessment of writing across
the curriculum. Warning agreed with Barry, arguing that these two points are educational goals
and as such belong in that section of the Curriculum Statement. Breitenbach M/S to remove
Section IV.C. from the Curriculum Statement. Barry offered a friendly amendment to move the
statements on multiculturalism and writing throughout the curriculum from Section IV.C. into
Section I (“General Considerations”). Breitenbach and his second agreed to the friendly
amendment. Hale spoke against the motion, contending that these statements deserve their own
separate section and urging the Committee not to let assessment considerations drive the
curriculum. Washburn recalled that the statement on multiculturalism had originated as an
expression of the faculty’s commitment; she believed that many faculty members would be
disturbed if the statement were removed. The vote on Breitenbach’s motion was 7 in favor, 7
opposed, 1 abstention, so the motion did not carry.
The Committee turned next to Section IV.B. (“Sequence of Core Courses”). Clark noted that the
Approaches to Knowing are designated for the first, second, or third year. He believed that
students need to start earlier if they hope to choose a major in certain disciplines. Pasco-Pranger
replied that the Curriculum Committee should leave such decisions up to students and not try to
legislate. Tomhave asked how to interpret the word “will” in the statement “Students will satisfy
core requirements in the following sequence.” He asked if a student who took a Fine Arts Core
course in her fourth year would be permitted to satisfy this Core requirement. He also asked if a
sophomore would be permitted to satisfy the Connections Core, given that the sequencing
statement says “Third or Fourth Year: Interdisciplinary Experience.” Barry answered the second
question by stating that a sophomore could not satisfy the Connections Core. More generally, he
suggested that the Committee retain the word “will” in the section’s introductory sentence, but
change the wording for the Approaches to Knowing. ACTION: Pasco-Pranger M/S/P to
replace “First, Second, or Third Year” in the Approaches to Knowing category with the
words “To be taken at any time during the undergraduate years.”
At 10:56 a.m., Stevens M/S/P to adjourn.
Respectfully submitted,
William Breitenbach
Secretary