Curriculum Proposal
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Department: Communication & Creative Arts
School Document Number: LSS-13-18 - amended
Author (Contact): Cathy Gillotti
School Approval Date: 4/1/2013
Date: 4/8/2013
CEP Review Date: 4/16/2013
Effective Term: Fall 2013
Senate Approval Date:
Type of Proposal
(place an X in the proper box)
Course:
addition
Program: X
Experiential
Learning
General
Education
deletion
revision X
Proposal Subject: (One sentence overview of the proposal. Examples: change in title, prerequisite and description of NUR XYZ. Create new plan of
study in XYZ department, etc.)
This proposal documents a suggested implementation of the multi-disciplinary degree program that is already on the books at PUC,
but has never been articulted or implemented.
Justification: (Explain the rationale for the proposed change.)
During the process of the program analysis conducted through the VCAA office, it was discovered that there is an existing Multidisciplinary degree program on the books at PUC and registered with the Indiana Commission on Higher Education. However, the
program analysis also revealed that there was no articulation of the requirements of the degree. At the urging of the VCAA office, the
LASS Council was charged to look into proposing the structure and implementation of this degree program. An ad hoc committee
was formed with representation from the 6 departments in the School of LASS to propose the content and guidelines for a multidisciplinary degree program housed in LASS, but not limited to LASS. The proposal listed below articulates requirements for the
completion of a multi-disciplinary degree, and includes the option of students being able to complete areas of interest both within the
School of LASS and the university at large in consultation with departmental faculty and advisors. The spirit of this proposal is to
help students at PUC gain a multi-disciplinary perspective that will best serve them in their careers. The Ad Hoc committee assigned
this task by the LASS Council presented this proposal to the LASS Council on Monday April 1, 2013. The LASS Council approved
that this proposal be formalized through the LASS Curriculum committee and sent to the CEP of the Senate.
Current: (If proposal is for a course change, enter current course
Proposed: (If proposal is a for a course change or new course,
information here. Include title, credits, pattern, etc. If proposal is for a
change in plan of study, enter name here, and include current bingo
sheet as an attached document, labelled CURRENT.)
enter new course information here. Include title, credits, pattern, etc.
If proposal is for a change in plan of study, or new plan, enter name
here and include proposed bingo sheet as an attached document,
labelled PROPOSED.)
There currently is no articulation of the
requirements of this degree program, only that the
degree has been approved and is on recored with
the Indiana Commission on Higher Education.
BA in Multi-Disciplinary Studies (MDS)
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Multidisciplinary Studies
(MDS) provides a flexible and individualized program of
study for students at Purdue University Calumet. The MDS
program is designed for students to acquire a broad, wellrounded education that expands the traditional scope of
disciplinary, departmental, and college boundaries. MDS
encourages creativity, innovation, critical thinking, and
integrative learning by encouraging students to examine
problems, issues, or topics from more than one academic
perspective.
Curriculum Proposal 1
Students in MDS must fulfill general education requirements
of one of the respective Colleges that houses the disciplines
selected by the students and declare two 18-credit related
Areas to be approved by the respective departments. The
student must also complete a capstone class in one of the
respective related areas.
Integrating study from different disciplines, this capstone
experience gives MDS students the option to combine Service
Learning or Experiential Learning while creating a
professional portfolio.
Students in MDS select their areas of study and the design of
their program, including the capstone course, in consultation
with faculty from the two selected Areas and with an
academic advisor.
Admission and Program Requirements
The MDS degree requires 120 credits. Any transfer student
or current Purdue University Calumet student with a 2.0
overall GPA may apply for admission to the MDS degree
program by contacting the Office of the Dean of one of the
Colleges that houses one of the student’s selected related
areas.
Course requirements
General Education Requirements
Number of credits
appropriate to the College in which the MDS degree is
housed.
Area 1
18 credits
Area 2
18 credits
Capstone experience in Area 1 or Area 2 3 credits
Electives
Number of
credits appropriate to the College in which the MDS degree is
housed.
Total
120 credits
Distribution requirements
• At least 12 credits in Area 1 must be taken at Purdue
University Calumet
• At least 12 credits in Area 2 must be taken at Purdue
University Calumet
• Capstone experience must be taken at Purdue University
Calumet
• At least 18 credit hours of classes numbered 30000 or above
must be taken in Areas 1 & 2.
• At least 32 credits of courses numbered 30000 or above
must be taken at Purdue University Calumet
Impact on Students: (Explain how students will be affected by the proposal. Benefits to students should be listed.)
Curriculum Proposal 2
The impact on students will be positive in nature. This multi-disciplinary degree will allow students to explore several areas of
interest and gain knowledge in skills in multi-disciplines in order to better compete in the job market post graduation. The degree will
also allow students to explore multiple areas of study for possible consideration of double majors. As the proposal outlines, there is
flexibility in the course work since students are required to take 2, 18 credit hour areas of study as opposed to set minors. These could
include minors, but are not limited to them. The students will have the opportunity to work closely with faculty and academic
advisors in crafting a degree that will best suit their aspirations, while simultaneously insuring the rigor and integrity of a Purdue
degree.
Impact On Other Departments: (Explain how other academic departments may be affected by the proposal, and summarize any discussions with
other departments about the proposal. If adding or deleting a course, explain how other departments may be affected.)
The impact on other departments will include the possibility of an increase in student enrollment in classes designated for a student for
completion of one of the 18 credit hour areas of study.
Impact on University Resources: (Curriculum changes affect university resources. Explain here how instructional, lab, computer or library
resources may be affected by the proposal. It is especially important to address the possible need for additional faculty.)
As this degree program grows, it brings about the potential for greater collaboration among faculty across the university as we work
with individual students to help them fashion areas of study that will help them achieve their career goals. As the program grows,
there might be a need for more administrative assistance with the processing of students through this degree program or perhaps a
program coordinator who can connect students with key faculty in departments of interest. There also might be a need from the
administration to consider how to credit departments with resources for recruitment and retention of students in the MDS degree.
Impact on General Education Requirements: (If the proposal fulfills or changes general education requirements in your department, explain this
here.)
Due to the fact that this proposal is a multi-disciplinary program, individual programs of general education will be negotiated by faculty
in the areas of study the student selects.
Curriculum Proposal 3