CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
Salem State University
MINUTES
Meeting: 14/15:12
Date: February 4, 2014
MEMBERS PRESENT: Rebecca Hains, Elizabeth Coughlan, Francesca Pomerantz, Joseph
Kasprzyk, Amy Sprenkle, Christopher Schoen, Donna Hills, Mary-Jo Grenfell, Megan Miller,
Regina Flynn, Rory McFadden, Sami Ansari, Zachary Newell
GUESTS: Vickie Ross, Ben Miller, Pam Leong, Sara Moore, Steve Matchak, Leah Ritchie, Jon
McArdle, Charlene Campbell, Gary Wood
I.
Chair’s Report
Rebecca Hains announced that a quorum had been reached and called the meeting to
order at 3:04 PM
II.
Subcommittee Reports
No reports
III.
Special Business
A. Gen Ed committee
Rebecca Hains conveyed that the General Education Committee (GEC) co-chairs filed a memo
of complaint with the provost's office against the University Curriculum Committee (UCC) on
January 28. The memo asserted that the UCC had failed to warn the GEC co-chairs that we
were considering revising our gen ed certification review procedures in October. It also
asserted that our decision to consult GEC members on an as-needed-only basis may be
grievable, for the GEC co-chairs consider their committee to be equivalent to an academic
department that contractually (per Article VII, Section D 1 c i) has the right to weigh in on all
proposals that would effect it. The memo also expressed concern that the revised procedures
would result in an uneven implementation of the gen ed curriculum, as the GEC co-chairs
believe that the UCC's revised procedures leave too much to the discretion of a single UCC
member serving as a proposal's liaison.
Hains reported that according to her email records, the GEC co-chairs declined a meeting
(suggested on Oct 14) to discuss the GEC/UCC collaborative process in mid-October.
Subsequently (on Oct 16), she notified the GEC co-chairs that the UCC would soon discuss
possible procedural changes to the gen ed subcommittees, which are staffed jointly by UCC
and GEC members to review proposals requesting gen ed certification for courses. (On Oct 22,
the UCC discussed said changes and voted new procedures into effect.)
Hains added that the revised UCC procedures still require a full four-person curriculum review
subcommittee to vet all aspects of a proposal. This means that decisions regarding a proposal's
adherence to gen ed standards and requests for further gen ed subcommittee review are made
by a team of UCC members, not by a single liaison. Hains noted that additional checks and
balances in the UCC procedures ensure that gen ed proposals are reviewed by those UCC
members who serve on the gen ed review subcommittees.
Hains further noted that the GEC is an advisory committee, not an academic department. Also,
as the UCC is a governance committee charged by the contract with overseeing all university
curriculum, including the core, we have the right and the duty to update our procedures as
needed, to effectively manage the flow of proposals in better service to the university.
Hains concluded her report by informing the UCC that a meeting between the UCC chair and
vice-chair, the GEC co-chairs, and Amy Everett had been scheduled for Monday, February 2,
but it was postponed due to the snow day. It has been rescheduled for next Wednesday at 2pm.
She will forward the GEC co-chairs' memo to the UCC members for their information and
report back to the UCC after the postponed meeting has occurred.
UCC committee members discussed the matter. Elizabeth said that GEC committee members
are consulted as needed. Rory asked if the GEC committee members want to vet every
proposal. Regina expressed concern about how long the process would take if the GEC
committees vetted every proposal. Elizabeth expressed a concern that GEC committees can
slow the process down; one person can hold up the process. Zach said the review process for
GEC courses when Gen Ed Subcommittee Review was required sometimes took several
months. Rebecca said the criteria for the GEC designations are very clear and easily interpreted
by members of the UCC.
IV. Old Business
A. SPORT AND MOVEMENT SCIENCE DEPARTMENT (11/1/13; 4/17/14) (CRS D,
Sam A., 12/4/13)
SMS140-Basic Swimming and Water Safety-Change in CourseTABLED
14:349
Sam made motion to approve the course. Amy seconded. Chris is representing the
department. This was tabled because it was left out of packet approved at previous
meeting. This is a small change in course description. Chris explained that this course is
required in several concentrations. It was open to only majors; now it will be open to
anyone who wants it due to student interest and demand.
The vote to approve was unanimous.
A. COMPUTER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT (10/29/14, CRSB, Rory M. 12/8/14)
CSC245A-Comptuer Applications in Science and Mathematics-Deletion of
Course
15:135
CSC271-Introduction to Computer Systems-Deletion of
Course
15:136
CSC300-Software Engineering-Change in
Course
15:137
CSC311-Object Orientation & Problem Solving Strategies-Change in
Course
15:138
Rory motioned to approve the packet. Zach seconded. Joe is representing the
computer department. Rory explained that this is a straightforward proposal with a
course deletion form for CSC 271 and CSC 245A because the courses don’t run
anymore. CSC 311 and CSC 300 are change in course forms due to pre-requisite and
use of course changes. Chris pointed out that the course description for CSC 300
needs to include the pre-req.
The vote to approve was unanimous with one abstention (Donna).
B. SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT (10/31/14, CRS A, Joe K., 12/8/14)
Global
Change
15:167
SOC330-Introduction to Anthropology-Change in
Course
15:168
BA-Sociology-Change in
Flowsheet
15:169
BS-Sociology-Change in
Flowsheet
15:170
BS-Sociology-Social Inequality Option-Change in
Flowsheet
15:171
BS-Sociology-with a minor-Change in
Flowsheet
15:172
BS-Sociology-Life Course Studies Option-Change in
Flowsheet
15:173
SOC250-Public Sociology-New
Course
15:174
SOC3180-Women, Globalization, and Development (WII)
15:175
Joe motioned to approve the sociology packet. Zach seconded. This is a global
change for all sociology courses in order to re-level course numbers. There is a
uniform set of changes to all sociology flowsheets to reflect the course renumbering
of pre-reqs and to prevent students from taking the same course under two different
numbers.
Pamela explained that SOC 330: Intro to Anthropology and ITC 100 are going to be
removed as requirements. These are supported by the department chairs. SOC 330
will be changed from a major requirement to a major elective.
SOC 250 Public Sociology is proposed as a new course with no gen. ed. designations.
SOC 318 is applying for W-II designation.
The committee looked at the new flowsheet for the bachelor of science, sociology
with a minor. This flowsheet will now allow for greater flexibility due to the
dropping of SOC 330 and ITC 100.
Megan asked if departments that use SOC 330 have been notified of the change in
course number? This impacts multiple flowsheets. The course may be offered less
often because it is changing to an elective – have departments that use the course
been notified, such as nursing? She recommended that Sociology follow up with
affected departments. They can consult with the registrar’s office to find out which
flowsheets include the course. Pamela clarified that the course would continue to be
offered as frequently as it currently is.
Donna noted that although nursing has not submitted a change in flow sheet yet, the
department is in the process of decreasing support course credits. The School of
Nursing has voted to remove SOC 330 as a specified support course which has
opened the choice to any gen ed course.
Joe presented the CID for the new course SOC 250: Public Sociology. Megan
suggested the department might want to consider submitting it as a gen. ed. course.
Joe presented SOC 318, which is applying for W-II designation. Elizabeth suggested
listing W-I as a pre-req instead of ENL 110 since there are other W-I courses. Regina
asked about criteria #3: peer feedback which seems limited to peer feedback on
Power Points; Elizabeth responded that a Power Point is a form of digital writing so it
meets the criteria. Megan asked if Power Point should be specified; Elizabeth
clarified that these are examples of assignments.
The vote to approve was unanimous.
Megan said that it is going to be difficult implementing the changes for fall 2015 but
the registrar is going to try to implement prior to advising/registration.
C. MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT (10/31/14, CRS A, Joe K. 12/8/14)
BS-Business Administration-Entrepreneurship Concentration-Change in
Flowsheet
15:166
Joe motioned to approve the packet. Zach seconded. Documentation of consultation
with affected departments has been provided. This is a change in a major
requirement: MGT 337 was required and is going to be replaced with MGT 337 or
MGT 350. There is a proposed change to the major electives – students can take any
three 3-credit courses offered by the Business School that are not included in the
major core.
The vote to approve was unanimous.
D. GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT (10/28/14, CRSA, Joe K. 12/8/14)
BA-Geography-Change in
Flowsheet
15:129
BS-Geography-Change in
Flowsheet
15:130
BS-Geography-Cartography and GIS Concentration-Change in
Flowsheet
15:131
BS-Geography-Environmental Sustainability Concentration-Change in
Flowsheet
15:132
BS-Geography-Travel and Tourism Concentration-Change in
Flowsheet
15:133
GPH379-Environmental Justice (WII) 15:204
Joe motioned to approve the packet. Zach seconded. This is a uniform set of changes
to all geography flowsheets. GPH 100P is being dropped as a required course. GPH
245 is being removed from a” chose one of two” with GPH 140, effectively making
GPH 140 a required course. Rory asked if flowsheets should use template; Steve
offered to revise using template but Megan said it wasn’t necessary. GPH 115 is
being added as a required three-credit course. The same number of courses is
required in the major but with one fewer required credit. Mary Jo pointed out that the
credit total is 42 (not 39-42) on the Cartography and GIS concentration flowsheet.
GPH 379 is applying for W-II designation.
The vote to approve was unanimous.
E. MUSIC DEPARTMENT (6/27/14) (CRS C, Gretchen S., 9/17/14)
MUS113H-Honors Introduction to World Music-Change in Course
(CEA/WC)
15:067
MUS270N-Music Literature to 1780 (WII)
15:068
MUS511N-Seminar for Music Majors II (WIII)
15:069
Zach motioned to approve the music packet; Sam seconded. The course MUS 113H
meets the criteria for CEA/WC; this is an honors course. The non-honors version has
already been approved for CEA/WC. Chris suggested changing “Intro” to
"Introduction" on the CID course title.
MUS270N is a required course, laying foundation for further study in music history.
This is a W-II and was reviewed by the sub-committee. Elizabeth suggested revising
the language for the pre-req to make it clear W-I is required.
MUS511N is a 2 credit capstone course for music majors. This is proposed as a W-III
course. This proposal was reviewed by W-III sub-committee. Rory pointed out that
the CID needs to state it is W-III, not W-II. He asked how many credits are required
for W-II and W-III courses? Gary explained that the credits were adjusted so as not to
exceed credit limits; all of the ensembles and lessons are 1 credit courses. Rebecca
asked if there are other capstone 2 credit courses? Mary-Jo explained there are not.
Rebecca suggested tabling this single course proposal so it can be changed to 3
credits and the department can request a degree credit exception if necessary.
Rebecca suggested consulting with the general education committee about whether or
not a W-III can be a 2 credit course. Megin explained that the department originally
intended this course to be a 3 credit course.
During further discussion and review, Megan stated that the Music flowsheets are not
at the 55-credit limit, after all. The department would not need to request a degree
credit exception in order to make this course a 3-credit course. Rebecca suggested
that MUS511N should still be tabled and revised for consideration as a 3-credit W-III
course, and department representatives agreed.
Zach moved to table MUS511N. Elizabeth seconded.
The vote to approve the packet without MUS 511N was unanimous; Mary-Joe
abstained.
F. PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT (11/1/14, CRS B, Rory M. 12/8/14)
PSY601H-Honors Independent Research in Psychology (WIII)
15:185
PSY170H-Honors: Foundations of Psychology
(CS)
15:199
PSY431-Research in Animal Learning-Change in
Course
15:200
PSY344-Topics in Social and Cultural Diversity (WII)
15:201
Rory motioned to approve the psychology packet. Elizabeth seconded. Ben Miller is
representing the psychology department. PSY601H is requesting W-III designation.
The W-III sub-committee reviewed the proposal. Chris pointed out a difference in the
CID and form course descriptions. Megan pointed out that independent studies may
not be used as general education requirements according to general education policy.
Elizabeth explained that the honors independent studies are done in conjunction with
seminars that provide the peer review. Geology passed a similar course but it is not
titled directed study; it is titled Senior Thesis.
Rebecca noted that we were at the scheduled end point of our meeting and asked
whether the will of the committee was to extend the meeting or adjourn. Megan made
a motion to extend the meeting 15 minutes beyond 4:30. The vote to extend the
meeting was unanimous.
Joe pointed out that there are different interpretations of what directed study means –
some departments think of it as synonymous with independent study, others as the
mode in which the course is offered. This psychology course involves meeting
individually with faculty. CSC has a capstone course -available on a directed study
basis approved as a general education course. He suggested calling the course a
capstone project. Megan explained the course meets the standards for W-III but the
current policy prevents directed studies from being general education requirements.
Elizabeth said the co-req: IDS 601H: Honors Seminar I needs to be listed as a co-req.
This is where the peer review happens.
PSY 170H is requesting CS designation. The course review sub-committee had no
questions or concerns about this designation and the course meets the CS criteria.
PSY 431 is a small course change – adding the word elective to the course
description. This makes it clear that majors are not forced to work with animals.
PSY 344 is requesting W-II designation. This was reviewed by the sub-committee for
W-II.
Rory motioned to table 15:185 PSY 601H. Donna seconded.
The vote to approve the packet without 15:185 was unanimous.
Rebecca noted that our 15-minute extension was up and asked whether the will of the
committee was to further extend the meeting or adjourn. Elizabeth made a motion to
adjourn. The vote to adjourn was not unanimous. 6 voted in favor of adjournment; 4
voted against adjourning.
G. SCHOOL OF NURSING (10/31/14, CRSA, Donna H. 12/8/14)
NUR602H-Honors Program: Nursing Research II: Research Practicum (WIII)
15:182
NUR409-Nursing Research (WIII)
15:186
NUR360A-Explorations of the Professional Nursing Role-Change in Course (WII)
15:226
There was not enough time for this packet. It will be first on the agenda at the next
meeting.
There being no time for other business, the committee adjourned at 4:45 PM.
Submitted by __________________________________
Francesca Pomerantz