Liberal Learning Advisory Council Minutes Fall 1997

Minutes Arranged by Date

• May 15, 1997
• April 23, 1997
• April 16, 1997
• March 26, 1997
• February 26, 1997
• February 5, 1997

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May 15, 1997

Present: R. Anderson (Secretary), M. Biggs, J. Carney, D. Compte, E. Friedman, R. Kamber (Chair), S. Klug, R. McCormack, M. O’Connell, Rice, M. Ruddy

1. The minutes of April 23rd were approved as submitted.
2. Betsy Ruddy reported that the resolution passed by GEAC on April 23rd for assessing general education courses was approved by CUPPS with minor clarifying changes.
3. AFAM 201, The Religious Traditions of the African Diaspora was approved for philosophy or religion and non-Western diversity distribution. The vote was 10 in favor, 0 opposed, and 0 abstentions. There were no conditions.
4. HONR 220, Honors Religious Traditions of the African Diaspora was also unconditionally approved for philosophy or religion and non-Western by a vote of 10 to 0 to 0.
5. Action on AFAM 202, The Religious Arts of Africa and the Diaspora was tabled pending responses to the following questions:
   • How do the novels assigned integrate art into the course; e.g., what is the place of Things Fall Apart ?
   • What is the intended relationship of art and literature?
   • How does the research assignment bear on fine and performing arts?
   • A clarification of the ways outcomes for goal 10 are met.
   • How does the Art Department regard the course? (Send to Chris Craig for comment.)
6. WMST 310, Men and Masculinity: Literary Perspectives was unconditionally approved for literature and gender studies diversity distribution by a vote of 10 in favor, 0 opposed, and 0 abstentions.
7. Adjournment was at 2:00 as council members devoured the last remnants of pizza two ways with antipasto. The next meeting is unscheduled in the distant Fall.

Courses Approved

• AFAM 201 (Philosophy or Religion, non-Western)
• HONR 220 (Philosophy or Religion, non-Western)
• WMST 310 (Literature, Gender)

Courses Tabled

• AFAM 202

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April 23, 1997

Present: R. Anderson (Secretary), J. Carney, E. Frede, E. Friedman, A. Gormly, R. Kamber (Chair), H. Murray, M. O’Connell, M. Ruddy

1. The minutes of April 16th were approved as submitted
2. The following resolution was approved by a vote of 9 to 0 with no abstentions:
   In partial fulfillment of our responsibility for assessing general education we recommend to CUPPS that all departments or programs offering courses approved for general education credit be required to submit syllabi for such courses to GEAC every three years beginning in the Fall of 1997. Syllabi should be submitted from all professors offering the course during the past year, and such syllabi should be highlighted or otherwise marked to indicate the manner in which specified general education goals and outcomes are met. Failure either to comply with this requirement or to make corrections would result in revocation of general education approval. Syllabi for all courses approved prior to Spring 1995 must be submitted to GEAC during the Fall of 1997.
   Council members noted that in the event of an actual revocation such action should be widely published to departments, Records and Registration, and other such places. Furthermore, students having taken such courses would continue to receive general education credit for them. It was also noted that the aim of the resolution is assessment, not judgment; courses assessed as no longer meeting GEAC requirements would be given ample opportunity to be modified before they were officially removed from the list.
   Finally, council members suggested that web-based postings of course syllabi would be acceptable, and quite likely preferable to yet another proliferation of paper.
3. SOCL 336, Cultural and Social Change was approved for social science content by a vote of 9 to 0 with no abstentions. Action on the request for non-Western diversity distribution was tabled pending receipt of a clearer syllabus and a more focused rationale. Questions included: To what extent is cultural and social change as considered in this course a product of a modernization process involving “Westernization” of non-Western societies? How does the study of Westernization constitute a non-Western process (or non-Western content)? How much of the course deals with change outside a Western frame of reference? How do the examples of Quebec, Northern Ireland, New England, and South Africa fit into non-Western aspects of the course?
4. HONR 350, Existentialism was approved for Philosophy by a vote of 6 in favor, 0 opposed, and 0 abstaining. Discussion concerned two issues: The course has been offered simultaneously with PHIL 245, Existentialism which is not proposed for Perspectives on the World. This is probable cause for confusion. The Philosophy Department should be consulted concerning their reasons for not submitting the course, and to find out if they would submit it. The other problem concerns the numbering of the course. HONR 350 is a topics number, and should not be used for a regular course. Council members suggested a 200 level number. Rick Kamber agreed to report back to the council.
5. Four African-American Studies courses were received too late for inclusion on the agenda. Members present agreed that another meeting should be held this Spring to consider then. Bob Anderson agreed to arrange the meeting.
6. Adjournment was at 3:30 following the customary draining of the bottles ceremony. Members groped their way through dimly lighted corridors.

Courses Approved

• SOCL 336 (Social Science Content)
• HONR 350 (Philosophy or Religion)

Courses Returned

• SOCL 336 (non-Western request)

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April 16, 1997

Present: R. Anderson (Secretary), J. Carney, D. Compte, K. Finkral, E. Frede, R. Kamber (Chair), S. Klug, R. McCormack, L. Rice, M. Ruddy

1. The minutes of March 26th were approved as submitted.
2. A motion similar to the following was given to the secretary to render into intelligible English for the purpose of consideration at the next meeting:
   In partial fulfillment of our responsibility for assessing general education we recommend to CUPPS that all departments or programs offering courses approved for general education credit be required to submit syllabi for all such courses to GEAC every three years, beginning in the Fall of 1997, and that such syllabi highlight or otherwise indicate the manner in which specified general education goals and outcomes are met. Failure either to comply with this requirement or to make corrections would result in revocation of general education approval. Syllabi for all courses approved prior to Spring 1995 must be submitted to GEAC during the Fall of 1997.
   Question: Would this apply to all general education courses, just Intellectual Skills and Perspectives on the World courses, or only Perspectives on the World courses?
3. SOCL 340, Social Stratification was approved for social science content and Western diversity distribution. The vote was 10 in favor, 0 opposed, and 0 abstentions. Approval is conditional on the submission of a teaching syllabus.
4. HONR 348, Design and Culture: Art, Politics, and People in the 20th Century was approved for fine and performing arts and Western diversity distribution by a vote of 9 in favor, 0 opposed, and 0 abstentions. Approval was unconditional.
5. Adjournment was at 2:30. The next meeting was set for Wednesday, April 23rd at 2:00 to 3:30. Serious agenda items with inconsequential refreshments are indicated.

Courses Approved

• SOCL 340 (social science content, Western)
• HONR 348 (fine & performing arts, Western)

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March 26, 1997

Present: R. Anderson (Secretary, Chair pro tem), M. Biggs, D. Compte, K. Finkral, E. Frede, S. Klug, H. Mayo, H. Murray, M. O’Connell, M. Ruddy

1. The minutes of February 26th were approved as submitted
2. PSYCH 252, Psychology of Minority Groups was approved for social science process with the expectation that the size and nature of the written assignment be clarified, and that a sample syllabus be provided. The vote was 8 in favor, 0 opposed, and 0 abstentions. The request for Western diversity distribution was not acted upon because justifications for goals 12 b, c, d, and the diversity request do not appear to address the issue. Bob Anderson agreed to follow through on the approval conditions and on any clarifications of the diversity distribution request the department might have to offer.
3. The request of the Philosophy Department to add Western diversty distribution to PHIL 230, Philosophical Issues in Science was approved by a vote of 6 for, 1 against, and 2 abstaining.
4. Adjournment was at 4:50 pm. The next meeting is April 16th from 1:00 to 3:00 in Holman 316.

Courses Approved

• PSYC 252 (social science process)
• PHIL 230 (Western diversity distribution added)

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February 26, 1997

Present: R. Anderson (Secretary, Chair pro tem), J. Carney, D. Compte, K. Finkral, E. Frede, E. Friedman, A. Gormly, S. Klug, M. Manfra, R. McCormack, H. Murray, M. O’Connell, L. Rice, M. Ruddy

1. The minutes of February 5th were approved as submitted.
2. Due to scheduling difficulties the next meeting of GEAC was set for March 26th from 3:30 to 4:50 in Holman 311.
3. PEW Grant status report: Anne Gormly reported that TCNJ has been selected as a finalist for a $250,000 award. We are among six institutions from which three will be selected. A three member team will visit the campus on April 8th and 9th. We should be prepared to meet with them between 3:00 and 4:30 on April 9th.
4. After receiving reports from Ed Sarafino and Reggie Kenen members of the council approved NURS 328, Research for Health Related and Social Science for social science process by a vote of 14 in favor, 0 opposed, and 0 abstaining. Approval is unconditional.
5. ENGL 217, World Literature to 1800 was approved for literature and Western diversity distribution by a vote of 14 to 0 to 0. Approval is unconditional. Marvel was expressed at how easy, quick, and pleasant it is to review good courses well presented.
6. HONR 242, From Athens to New York was approved as a substitute for IDSC 151, Athens to New York for those currently taking it in lieu of IDSC 151 (or having previously done so), and as either fine or performing arts or literature (student’s choice, not both) for those taking it subsequent to IDSC 151. Approval is based on the condition that HONR 242 will not be offered beyond Fall 1997. It will not be added to the approved course list.
7. The meeting adjourned at 3:15. Members were again reminded that the next meeting would not be until March 26th (see #2 above).

Courses Approved

• NURS 328 (social science process)
• ENGL 217 (literature, Western)

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February 5, 1997

Present: R. Anderson (Secretary), M. Biggs, J. Carney, D. Compte, K. Finkral, E. Frede, E. Friedman, A. Gormly, R. Kamber (Chair), S. Klug, E. Matthes, H. Mayo, R. McCormack, M. O’Connell, L. Rice

1. The minutes of December 4th were approved as submitted.
2. The following schedule was set for Spring meetings (in such a rapid and efficient manner as to elude observation by all present):
   • Feb 5 — 4:00 to 4:50
   • Feb 19 — [canceled]
   • Feb 26 — 2:00 to 3:30
   • Mar 5 — 4:00 to 4:50
   • Mar 19 — 2:00 to 3:30
   • Apr 2 — 4:00 to 4:50
   • Apr 16 — 12:30 to 3:00
   • May 7 — 4:00 to 4:50
3. NURS 328, Research for Health Related and Social Sciences was reviewed for social science process approval. Discussion focused on the following questions [with bracketed responses]:
   • Is it appropriate that a program teach its own perspectives on the world course? [There is ample precedent for such practice.]
   • Is the course too nursing specific? [Not according to at least one psychologist on the council.]
   • Should GEAC solicit the opinion of other social science faculty? [We should send it to Ed Serafino in Psychology and Reggie Kenen in Sociology.] By group consensus it was decided to send the proposal to Profs. Serafino and Kenen for their quick opinions regarding the suitability of the course for social science process. It was understood that the course would be considered at the next GEAC meeting.
4. AFAM 201, The Religious Traditions of the African Diaspora and HONR 220, Honors Religious Traditions of the African Diaspora were more or less simultaneously considered. The following questions remain: The readings are not specifically linked with the syllabus. Student assignments are still not clear. The writing assignment is also not specified on the syllabus. There was general curiosity concerning what, in this instance, is meant by “The Word” which is the topic for week two of both courses.
   It was decided that the courses should be sent to a religion scholar in the Philosophy and Religion Department, and that Bob Anderson should meet with Gloria Dickinson to help iron out course difficulties.
5. AFAM 202, The Artistic Traditions of Africa and the Diaspora was also considered. As in the two courses in #3 above, both reading and writing assignments need to be integrated into the syllabus in a clearer fashion. Furthermore, as in the earlier versions of AFAM 201, the content in AFAM 202 appears to be excessively broad and should be limited, say, to visual arts and music. Again Bob Anderson agreed to meet with Gloria Dickinson to work out details.
6. Adjournment occurred at precisely 5:00. The next meeting was set for February 26th at 2:00.

Courses Returned (or tabled)

• NURS 328 (tabled)
• AFAM 201
• AFAM 202
• AFAM 220