Received by the Graduate Council—December 3, 2007
GRADUATE COUNCIL CURRICULUM COMMITTEE (GCCC)
Second Meeting/2007-08 Academic Year
November 12, 2007
Approved
p. i of vii
PRESENT:
A. Azad (EET/TECH), B. Bond (Graduate School), D. Changnon (LAS/GEOG), G.
Cosenza (VPA/MUSC), A. Rose (EDU/CAHE), C. Shaw (EDU/TLRN)
NOT
REPRESENTED: C. Gowen (BUS/MGMT), B. Hoffman (LAS/HIST)
CONSULTANTS: D. Smith (Catalog Editor/Curriculum Coordinator)
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Changnon asked that CLAS #6 minutes be added to the agenda for discussion. Rose asked to have
CLAS #3 removed from the consent agenda because of a new course. Changnon then pointed out
the CEET #1 minutes that are on the consent agenda with no graduate-level curricular items. But
in those minutes they discussed the proposal for the M.S. in Interdisciplinary Engineering for
Teachers. Rose made a motion, seconded by Azad, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS
AMENDED. Motion passed unanimously.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Minutes from the October 8, 2007, meeting approved and sent electronically.
2. A list of courses revised due to course renumbering (updated PRQs, CRQs, and cross
references) was distributed.
3. Catalog changes from Standards Committee were reported. Smith noted that these were
approved November, 2006, but it did not get updated in the catalog at that time. This will
appear in the 2008-09 catalog. It was clarified that graduate students may not start until they
have provided documentation that they received their bachelor’s degree. Bond stated that this
could come in the form of a faxed copy of a teacher certification, unofficial transcript, etc.
4. Catalog mock-ups for College of Health and Human Sciences were provided for committee
members to refer to during the rest of the academic year. This includes all the AHPH courses,
which convert to the new PHHE designator and other related course revisions (PRQs and
CRQs).
CONSENT AGENDA
Rose made a motion, seconded by Cosenza, TO ACCEPT THE COLLEGE CURRICULUM
COMMITTEE MINUTES WITH NO GRADUATE-LEVEL ATTACHMENTS. Motion passed
Received by the Graduate Council—December 3, 2007
GRADUATE COUNCIL CURRICULUM COMMITTEE (GCCC)
Second Meeting/2007-08 Academic Year
November 12, 2007
Approved
p. ii of vii
unanimously. The following minutes were so received.
College of Business #1
College of Business #2
College of Business #4
College of Engineering and Engineering Technology #1
College of Health and Human Sciences #2
College of Health and Human Sciences #6
Changnon pointed out CHHS # 7, page 1, and asked how the committee felt about when departments list
undergraduate courses as requirements. Cosenza stated that courses like this are defining courses to a
department and they require them in Music and Art. She added that NIU has the only master’s plus
certification program in the state, but she understands why other institutions don’t offer it since tracking
the undergraduate courses taken by graduate students can be difficult.
Rose made a motion, seconded by Azad, TO ACCEPT THE COLLEGE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
MINUTES WITH GRADUATE-LEVEL ATTACHMENTS. Motion passed unanimously. The
following minutes were so received.
College of Business #3
College of Education #2
College of Health and Human Sciences #3
College of Health and Human Sciences #4
College of Health and Human Sciences #5
College of Health and Human Sciences #7 (pending CITC approval)
College of Visual and Performing Arts #1
College of Visual and Performing Arts #2 (pending CITC approval)
COLLEGE MINUTES FOR DISCUSSION
College of Education #1
New course CAHA 601 and the lack of verification of nonduplication was discussed. Smith pointed out
the e-mail from the college stating that the course is unique enough that there is no need to check on
nonduplication. Rose explained that the course is for beginning doctoral students to introduce them to the
program. She added that the department did identify other areas regarding nonduplication and received
approval from the Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations. Rose made a
motion, seconded by Shaw to ACCEPT THE GRADUATE LEVEL CURRICULAR ITEMS IN
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION #1 (9/4/07). Motion passed unanimously.
College of Education #3
Received by the Graduate Council—December 3, 2007
GRADUATE COUNCIL CURRICULUM COMMITTEE (GCCC)
Second Meeting/2007-08 Academic Year
November 12, 2007
Approved
p. iii of vii
The revisions to the Certificate of Graduate Study (CGS) in Museum Studies were discussed and the
significant changes to the electives were noted. Changnon wanted to bring it to the attention of committee
members to be sure it is being addressed by the three colleges represented. Smith noted that the parallel
proposals are in CLAS # 6 and CVPA #2. Changnon asked the committee if they thought the certificate
should be listed with the other interdisciplinary CGS in the back of the catalog. Rose agreed and stated
that the certificate truly is interdisciplinary. It was decided that Smith would forward the committee’s
recommendation to the CGS director, Amy Levin, and Visual and Performing Arts Associate Dean Rich
Holly. Rose made a motion, seconded by Cosenza, to ACCEPT THE GRADUATE LEVEL
CURRICULAR ITEMS IN COLLEGE OF EDUCATION #3 (10/2/07). Motion passed unanimously.
College of Engineering and Engineering Technology #2
Changnon noted that the college is putting through a lot of new courses, not only in this set of minutes, but
also in minutes #3, #4, and #5. Smith pointed out the e-mail from the college addressing nonduplication.
Changnon asked if the statement that appears in almost all the course descriptions, “Special emphasis on
modeling and use of instructional methods and best practices appropriate for delivery of pedagogical
content,” was necessary. Shaw said that she has been working with the college on the development of
these courses. They have been careful to be sure these courses are for educators and the use of
“methodology” helps distinguish between engineering and pedagogical content. Rose suggested that the
course titles also indicate that the courses are for educators. Bond expressed concern that it’s not clear
whether or not engineering students may take the course for degree credit and if the college only wants
these courses available for students pursuing the teaching degree, that it needs to be defined in the course
description. Shaw explained that the new courses are part of a new degree proposal initiated through an
interdisciplinary grant for a STEM project for secondary teachers already certified in math and/or science.
Since there is a scarcity of U.S. born engineers, the new program is designed to provide these teachers with
the knowledge they need to incorporate engineering in their teaching and increase awareness and
excitement about engineering among high school students. Bond added that the grant is sponsored by the
ISBE with cooperation from the IBHE and they have promised to fast-track the program through the
systems downstate. Discussion followed regarding what the exact degree earned would be and whether or
not a statement should be added to the course descriptions to clarify that engineering students will not be
able to earn degree credit for these courses. Rose asked about UEET 606 and if there isn’t already a
similar course either in the Division of Statistics or in the College of Engineering and Engineering
Technology. Changnon agreed that the Division of Statistics should have been contacted. Shaw stated that
the college saw the need for this particular course for teachers. Bond asked about the projected enrollment
and Shaw responded that it is estimated to be about 60; 30 students from two different schools. She added
that their tuition will be supported by the grant. Azad made a motion, seconded by Shaw, to TABLE THE
COURSES UEET 602, UEET 603, UEET 606, and UEET 607 TO HAVE THE DEPARTMENT ADD
LANGUAGE TO THE DESCRIPTION THAT THE COURSES ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO ANY
OTHER DEGREE IN THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY,
AND FOR VERIFICATION OF NONDUPLICATION FOR UEET 606 FROM THE DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENT AND THE DIVISION OF
STATISTICS. Motion passed unanimously.
Received by the Graduate Council—December 3, 2007
GRADUATE COUNCIL CURRICULUM COMMITTEE (GCCC)
Second Meeting/2007-08 Academic Year
November 12, 2007
Approved
p. iv of vii
College of Engineering and Engineering Technology #3
The new course proposals in these minutes were discussed and the issues with the courses from CEET #2
were the same for the courses in these minutes. Bond asked about UEET 608 and why is it included with
the courses for teachers. Discussion followed regarding the content of UEET 608 and the intentions of the
college and duplication with UNIV 510, Foundations in Homeland Security and Disaster Preparedness.
Shaw saw that the distinction between UEET 608 and UNIV 510 is that UEET 608 has a pedagogical
component. Rose asked why high school teachers would teach this to their students. Shaw said that it is
another way to get high school students excited about engineering. Changnon felt the main issue was the
potential duplication of other courses. Azad asked if it would help if the college made the description
more specific and committee members felt that it would. Bond asked who was providing the college with
the pedagogical knowledge for all of these courses and Shaw said that the Colleges of Education and
Liberal Arts and Sciences are collaborating with the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology.
She said that Education and Liberal Arts and Sciences are sharing with Engineering and Engineering
Technology best practices and project-based learning will be the main instructional strategy. Shaw and
Engineering and Engineering Technology professor Regina Rahm will be holding workshops with the
Engineering and Engineering Technology faculty who will be teaching these courses. Changnon discussed
establishing learning objectives and assessments. Cosenza made a motion, seconded by Azad, to TABLE
UEET 604, UEET 605, UEET 608 TO HAVE THE DEPARTMENT ADD LANGUAGE TO THE
DESCRIPTION THAT THE COURSES ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO ANY OTHER DEGREE IN THE
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY AND UEET 608 FOR
VERIFICATION OF NONDUPLICATION WITH UNIV 510 AND THE DEPARTMENT OF
GEOGRAPHYAND FOR A CLEARER FOCUS ON ENGINEERING CONTENT FOR TEACHERS.
Motion passed unanimously. Changnon stated he had no problem with the remaining items in this set of
minutes, but did make note of undergraduate prerequisites in the ISYE courses. Azad made a motion,
seconded by Rose, to ACCEPT THE REMAINING GRADUATE-LEVEL CURRICULAR ITEMS IN
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY #3 (10/4/07). Motion passed
unanimously.
College of Engineering and Engineering Technology #4
It was discussed that the issues with the courses from CEET #2 are the same for UEET 601 from these
minutes as well as duplicating content in homeland security. Rose stated that the course looks like an
overview of all the other courses. Changnon wondered if the course duplicated the other courses and was
it needed. Shaw noted that introductory courses are often offered to provide students with the basic
terminology and the key concepts they will need in the other courses. Rose asked about new course ISYE
598 and if “Master’s Paper” was a common title for a course and Bond replied that it is. Discussion
followed regarding the other catalog changes on page 2 and the intent of the department and clarification
of hours required. Bond explained that a master’s degree with a thesis is pursued mostly by students
before doctoral work, and a master’s with a project is pursued mostly by working engineers. Cosenza
made a motion, seconded by Rose, to TABLE UEET 601 TO HAVE THE DEPARTMENT ADD
LANGUAGE TO THE DESCRIPTION THAT THE COURSE IS NOT APPLICABLE TO ANY
OTHER DEGREE IN THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY.
Motion passed unanimously. Rose made a motion, seconded by Azad, to ACCEPT THE
Received by the Graduate Council—December 3, 2007
GRADUATE COUNCIL CURRICULUM COMMITTEE (GCCC)
Second Meeting/2007-08 Academic Year
November 12, 2007
Approved
p. v of vii
REMAINING GRADUATE-LEVEL CURRICULAR ITEMS IN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY #4 (10/11/07) PENDING THE CHANGE OF THE HOURS AT THE
TOP OF PAGE 2 FROM 31 TO 32. Motion passed unanimously.
College of Engineering and Engineering Technology #5
The new course proposals in these minutes were discussed and the issues with the courses from CEET #2
were the same for the new courses in these minutes. Changnon pointed out that the item on the top of page
6 should have been labeled for the graduate catalog. Rose made a motion, seconded by Cosenza, to
TABLE UEET 609 AND UEET 610 TO HAVE THE DEPARTMENT ADD LANGUAGE TO THE
DESCRIPTION THAT THE COURSES ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO ANY OTHER DEGREE IN THE
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY. Motion passed unanimously.
Azad made a motion, seconded by Shaw, to ACCEPT THE REMAINING GRADUATE-LEVEL
CURRICULAR ITEMS IN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY #5
(10/18/07). Motion passed unanimously.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences #1
Changnon pointed out the items in these minutes that are marked date effective. It was explained that new
courses do not need this designation since they go into effect the term after final approval. Regarding the
course revision to GEOG 463 (563), prerequisites cannot be date effective, they are effective with the
catalog in which they first appear. Bond noted the well-put-together Ph.D. proposal from Geography and
asked about the demand. Changnon replied that they are expecting about 4-8 students in the first three
years and there are already students in the master’s program who are expressing interest in the doctoral
program. Bond observed that the curriculum is very physical in nature and Changnon said that is mostly
due to the backgrounds and expertise of NIU’s Geography faculty. Cosenza asked what a person with this
Ph.D. would be qualified to do. Changnon responded that a graduate with a Ph.D. in Geography could, for
example, work as a professor in academia or with an organization such as the U.S. Geological Survey. He
added that students will have to do an external project with either another department on campus or with
an external organization. Rose asked if this proposal has received approval from the provost and should
the committee be reviewing a program that doesn’t have that approval. Bond will check with the vice
provost for academic planning and report back to the committee as to whether or not the Ph.D. in
Geography has the provost’s approval as well as get clarification on the procedures for putting through a
new degree proposal. Cosenza stated that it would help if a statement was included in college minutes that
a new program has the approval of the provost. Shaw made a motion, seconded by Cosenza, to ACCEPT
THE GRADUATE LEVEL CURRICULAR ITEMS IN COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND
SCIENCES #1 (9/19/07 AND 9/26/07). Motion passed unanimously.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences #2
Bond pointed out the undergraduate prerequisites in courses on pages 4-7 and noted that it will be
problematic for students without bachelor’s degrees from NIU to enroll in those courses without getting
consent from the department. New course ANTH 579X was discussed and Changnon stated that a parallel
proposal from the Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations was still needed.
Cosenza made a motion, seconded by Rose, to TABLE ANTH 579X PENDING RECEIPT OF
Received by the Graduate Council—December 3, 2007
GRADUATE COUNCIL CURRICULUM COMMITTEE (GCCC)
Second Meeting/2007-08 Academic Year
November 12, 2007
Approved
p. vi of vii
PARALLEL PROPOSAL FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LEADERSHIP, EDUCATIONAL
PSYCHOLOGY AND FOUNDATIONS. Motion passed unanimously. Azad made a motion, seconded
by Shaw, to ACCEPT THE REMAINING GRADUATE-LEVEL CURRICULAR ITEMS IN
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES #2 (10/3/07). Motion passed unanimously.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences #3
New course POLS 572 and verification of nonduplication was discussed. Shaw noted that the department
does acknowledge why they did not include this and Rose observed that if this is a special topics class
there would be no duplication with other departments. Discussion followed regarding which departments
should be asked for verification of nonduplication if any and why is this needed at all. Smith reported that
the APPM requires that college curriculum committee minutes must include either the departments
consulted regarding verification of nonduplication or a statement that no such documentation is necessary.
Changnon noted that since topics and seminar courses change periodically, they are usually unique to that
department. Rose asked if there was a rule that if a topics course was taught a certain number of times that
it needed to be proposed as a new course and Bond said that this is mostly an unwritten understanding.
Cosenza made a motion, seconded by Azad, to APPROVE THE GRADUATE LEVEL CURRICULAR
ITEMS IN COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES #3 (10/10/07). Motion passed
unanimously.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences #4
It was pointed out that the other catalog change on page 5 cannot be date effective, but will be effective
with the next catalog (May 15, 2008). Changnon made note of two new courses on page 20 and that they
both have undergraduate courses as prerequisites. Rose made a motion, seconded by Cosenza to
APPROVE THE GRADUATE LEVEL CURRICULAR ITEMS IN COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
AND SCIENCES #4 (10/17/07). Motion passed unanimously.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences #5
Bond reported that the college has removed the other catalog change (mislabeled for the undergraduate
catalog) on page 2. They will be bringing forth a more complete proposal in time for the next committee
meeting. New course CSCI 543 was discussed. Bond noted that this course is part of the Department of
Computer Science’s efforts to update their programs. Rose asked about overlap with the Department of
Operations Management and Information Systems and verification of nonduplication. Bond said that there
isn’t overlap; Computer Science is updating their descriptions. Smith pointed out the e-mail from Liberal
Arts and Sciences that includes a statement from Computer Science stating that “no other department
offers a course in this area.” Rose made a motion, seconded by Shaw, to APPROVE THE GRADUATE
LEVEL CURRICULAR ITEMS IN COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES #5 (10/24/07),
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE OTHER CATALOG CHANGE DEALING WITH THE
SPECIALIZATION IN NANOSCIENCE. Motion passed unanimously.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences #6
These minutes contain the revision to the CGS in Museum Studies and new course CSCI 596 (696).
Committee members asked why the department was putting through an internship course when they are
Received by the Graduate Council—December 3, 2007
GRADUATE COUNCIL CURRICULUM COMMITTEE (GCCC)
Second Meeting/2007-08 Academic Year
November 12, 2007
Approved
p. vii of vii
already offering one (CSCI 590). Bond pointed out that the new proposal will be graded S/U and the
existing course is not. Shaw expressed concern that with the approval of this course, students could take
up to 12 hours in an internship, which also decreases the amount of contact hours a student has with
faculty. Changnon agreed, stating that 6 hours is acceptable, but 12 hours would be a lot of internship
hours. He also wondered who would be the audience for this course. Shaw made a motion, seconded by
Rose, to TABLE NEW COURSE CSCI 596 (696) DUE TO CONCERNS REGARDING DUPLICATION
WITH CSCI 590 AND THE DIFFERENTIATION OF A PAID VERSUS UNPAID INTERNSHIP.
Motion passed unanimously. Rose made a motion, seconded by Shaw, to APPROVE THE
REMAINING GRADUATE LEVEL CURRICULAR ITEMS IN COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND
SCIENCES #6 (10/31/07). Motion passed unanimously.
College of Visual and Performing Arts #3
New course ARTE 543 and verification of nonduplication was discussed. It was asked if every time the
word “technology” appears does a course have to be sent around campus for verification of nonduplication.
Rose pointed out that the undergraduate course looks like the same course and asked if it is the intent of
the school to teach them together. Rose made a motion, seconded by Cosenza, to TABLE THE
GRADUATE LEVEL CURRICULAR ITEMS IN VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS #3 (10/19/07)
CLARIFICATION OF WHETHER THIS IS THE SAME COURSE AS ARTE 343. Motion passed
unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Catalog Effective Dates. It was reported that the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has provided
feedback, but the rest of the colleges have not met since the CUC asked them to revisit the discussion.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Revisions to the Interdisciplinary Certificate of Graduate Study in Homeland Security.
Tabled due to time constraints.
2. Robotics and Manufacturing in China. Tabled due to time constraints.
The meeting adjourned at 12:15.
The next meeting of the Graduate Council Curriculum Committee is November 19, 2006, 10:00,
Conference Room 304, Lowden Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Received by the Graduate Council—December 3, 2007
GRADUATE COUNCIL CURRICULUM COMMITTEE (GCCC)
Second Meeting/2007-08 Academic Year
November 12, 2007
Approved
p. viii of vii
Donna M. Smith