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Spring 1997

Liberal Learning Advisory Council Minutes Spring 1997

Minutes Arranged by Date


December 3, 1997

Present: R. Anderson (Secretary, Convener), D. Compte, K. Finkral, R. Kamber (Chair), R. Margraff, R. McCormack, H. Murray, M. O’Connell

  1. The minutes of November 19th were approved as submitted.
  2. Bob Anderson reported on the progress of the SET Formative Review Special Committee ; He indicated that they have thus far established an order for consideration of certain issues. They will begin by considering staffing for both IDSC courses. They will then continue with course content, activities, and projects; the course delivery system; readings and reference materials; developing campus awareness; and, finally, overall program assessment.
  3. ASTR 261 and GOLG 220 were discussed together. Discussion mainly concerned the implications of each course for the natural science sequence. Bob Anderson reported that Paul Hiack, Chair of the Physics Department, had indicated that they expected to retain the existing ASTR 161/GOLG 120 sequence and add two additional ones, ASTR 161/261 and GOLG 120/220. The immediate reaction of most council members was that the addition of second courses in astronomy and geology would render the astronomy/geology sequence superfluous. However, the lengthy discussion generated sufficient doubt that no member remained prepared to state an opinion. It might well be possible for all three sequences to be valid. Furthermore, the Physics department had indicated that it was only prepared to offer limited numbers of sections in the two second courses. Therefore, the two course sequences would not be available to many students. Agreement was reached that council members would need to study all four courses, ASTR 161, ASTR 261, GOLG 120, GOLG 220, before a decision could be made. They also agreed that a laboratory syllabus including writing assignments was necessary. Additionally, there were questions regarding the bibliography for the ASTR 261 course. Was there too much overlap between it and the one for ASTR 161? Also the rationales for the various outcomes appear to be identical in the two astronomy courses. Bob Anderson agreed to discuss these matters with Paul Hiack.
  4. Adjournment was at precisely 5:00 PM. The next meeting was NOT set. Bob Anderson agreed to poll the membership to see if a time could be found on December 17th that did not conflict with the Arts & Sciences chairs meeting.

November 19, 1997

Present: R. Anderson (Secretary, Convener), J. Carney, R. Margraff, M. O’Connell

  1. Notice was made of the unusually small attendance, and a mutual decision was made to proceed without formally accepting or rejecting any courses. A brief period of self-reflection turned up clear evidence of neither communicable disease nor excessive body odor.
  2. Bob Anderson announced that the General Education website has been reactivated, and that there is now a link for “GEAC News and Events.” Members fortunate enough to be present received a print-out of the link. The website can be accessed through the TCNJ Home Page by clicking onto “academics” and then “general education.” Disregard the last updated notice. It is in error. The site can also be accessed directly at http://www.tcnj.edu/~liberal/.
  3. The minutes of October 22nd were approved as submitted.
  4. Bob Anderson pointed out that the SET Summative Review Committee has so far had only one brief meeting during which Anne Gormly outlined her charge to the committee. Bob reported that committee members decided to elect a chair and secretary at their next meeting which is scheduled for November 25th at 3:30 PM.
  5. An informal discussion of ASTR 261 and GOLG 220 yielded the following comments and questions: Both courses need a laboratory syllabus; there should be lists of all exercises with brief descriptions. Does the presence ASTR 261 and GOLG 220 assume sequences in astronomy and geology? Can the old sequence still be used ( ASTR 161 and GOLG 120 )? Do ASTR 161 and GOLG 120 now need to be rewritten to make them more compatible with ASTR 261 and GOLG 220? The assumption of those present was that approval of the two courses would create two new sequences and render the old one applicable only for those currently in the process of completing it. Finally questions were raised about the writing assignments. Bob Anderson agreed to contact Paul Hiack for his response, and to devote the next meeting exclusively to these courses.
  6. Adjournment was at 2:08 PM. The next meeting was set for December 3rd at 4:00 in Holman 311 as scheduled.

October 22, 1997

Present: R. Anderson (Secretary, Convener), T. Breslin, J. Carney, D. Compte, K. Finkral, E. Frede, E. Friedman, R Kamber (Chair), R. Margraff, R. McCormack, H. Murray, M. O’Connell, L. Rice, D. Vandergrift

  1. The minutes of October 15th were approved as submitted.
  2. POLS 215, Gender and Politics was approved for social science content and gender diversity distribution. The vote was 11 in favor, 0 opposed, and 1 abstention. Although approval was unconditional, the following observations were noted: Members assume an integration of necessary conceptual information on political process and a continual updating of bibliographic materials (noting that the latest entry on the current bibliography is 1994).
  3. A proposal for the establishment of a “Society, Ethics, and Technology Formative Review Special Commitee” was established. The vote was 13 in favor, 0 opposed, and 0 abstaining. The functions and activities of the committee include the following:
    • Exploring ways to increase faculty awareness of SET goals.
    • Expanding the pool of faculty teaching the SET course (and the first year interdisciplinary course as well).
    • Thoroughly examining the format of the course, including the combination of large lectures and small seminars as its delivery system.
    • To consider the possibility of a second year experience (analogous to the “First-Year Experience” associated with Athens to New York) and ways whereby it may be connected to the SET course.
    • To investigate possiblilities of linking the SET course to community applications, and thereby establishing an additional service learning experience.
    • More thoroughly exploring links between the SET course and instructional technology.

    Persons identified as committee members as are follows:
    Robert Anderson (A&S) Sharon Sherman (Edu) Renae Bredin (A&S) Robert Bittner (Eng) Timothy Clydesdale (A&S) Ralph Edelbach (Eng, SET Coordinator) Daniel Crofts (A&S) Keith Finkral (Eng) Alan Dawley (A&S) Harris Rawicz (Eng) Melinda Roberts (A&S) Leslie Rice (Nur) Kelly Smith (A&S) Laurie Sherwen (Nur) Marianna Sullivan (A&S) Nino Scarpati (Service Learning, Student Life) Morton Winston (A&S, SET Coordinator) Kelly Gavin (Student) Barrie Bailey (Bus) Heather Murray (Student) Joao Neves (Bus) Mary Varga (Student)

  4. Adjournment was at 3:30 pm. The next meeting is set for November 19th at 12:30 in Holman 311.

Course Approved

  • POLS 2 15 ( Soc Sci Content, Gender)

October 15, 1997

Present: R. Anderson (Secretary, Chair pro tem), T. Breslin, J. Carney, D. Compte, K. Finkral, E. Frede, E. Friedman, R. McCormack, H. Murray, M. O’Connell, D. Vandergrift

  1. The Minutes of October 1st were approved as submitted.
  2. WMST 320 (WGST 320), Non-Western Women’s Writing: Continental Drifts was approved for literature, non-Western, and gender within the Perspectives on the World category. Approval was unanimous (10 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstaining) and unconditional.
  3. LAWJ 255, Legal Problems in the Domestic Setting was unconditionally approved for gender diversity distribution by a unanimous decision (10 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstaining). The course has previously been approved for social science content.
  4. Bob Anderson read a request by Thomas Hagedorn of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics to convert the current four course, 12 credit calculus sequence into a three course, 12 credit sequence with each course to carry four semester hours instead of three. Council members noted that the Calculus A, B, and C sequence has already been approved by GEAC. The courses are listed among general education offerings meeting Intellectual Skills requirements. Informal discussion indicated that, although there may be problems for the School of Business and some Arts & Sciences departments, and that the old three credit Calculus I and II courses might well still serve a valid purpose, such decisions are not within GEAC’s purview. No action was taken.
  5. Adjournment was at the uncommonly early hour of 1:45 leaving council members one hour and 15 minutes of unscheduled time. The next meeting was set for October 22nd at 2:00 in Holman 311. The secretary agreed to TRY to have materials and agenda distributed prior to the meeting. No promises were heard.

Courses Approved

  • WMST (WGST) 320 (literature, non-West, Gender)
  • LAWJ 255 (Gender)

October 1, 1997

Present: R. Anderson (Secretary, Convener), T. Breslin, J. Carney, D. Compte, K. Finkral, E. Frede, R. Margraff, (for A. Gormly), H. Murray, M. O’Connell, L. Rice, D. Vandergrift

  1. The minutes of September 24th were approved as corrected.
  2. SOCL 205, Social Issues and Social Work was approved for social science process by a vote of 10 in favor, 0 opposed, and 0 abstentions. Discussion on the issue of whether or not the course is too narrowly professional was resolved by noting that weekly objectives and readings mainly concern conceptual and analytical matters. The intentionally “hands-on” nature of the service learning component of the course makes it clearly a process course. Additional discussion on the necessity for and nature of a course outline was deferred because it was not deemed necessary for the approval of the course at hand.
  3. Adjournment occurred at 4:40 pm. The next meeting was set for October 15th in Holman 311 at 12:30 pm. Evaluation of the Interdisciplinary Core will be among the agenda items.

Courses Approved

  • SOCL 205 (Soc Sci Process)

September 24, 1997

Present: R. Anderson (Secretary, Convener), T. Breslin, J. Carney, D. Compte, E. Frede, E. Friedman, R. Kamber (Chair), R. McCormack, H. Murray, M. O’Connell, D. Vandergrift

  1. The following meeting dates were ratified:
    • Sep 24: 2:00- 3:30
    • Oct 1: 4:00- 4:50
    • Oct 15: 12:30- 3:00
    • Oct 22: 2:00- 3:30
    • Nov 5: 4:00- 4:50
    • Nov 19: 12:30- 3:00
    • Dec 3: 4:00- 4:50
    • Dec 17: 12:30- 3:00
  2. The minutes of May 15, 1997 were approved as submitted.
  3. SOCL 205, Social Issues and Social Work was returned for the following reasons:
    • There is no clear indication of how the readings are actually assigned. What are the specific readings for particular weeks? The syllabus should reflect actual assignments (even if it is not possible to specify all of them at this time).
    • The nature of the writing assignments should be clarified. What is the nature of the weekly assignments (“journals” or “notes”) and how do they relate to the major paper. Also it would be preferable if some significant writing were assigned earlier in the course.
    • There needs to be a clearer connection between the applied social work component of the course and conceptual sociology. As a sociology course it should be clearly anchored in the discipline; the course should be reflective of the discipline as a whole (without, of course reflecting its entirety).
    • There needs to be a better syllabus, one reflecting the points made above.
    • There should be a general course outline as well. The syllabus should not serve both purposes.
  4. SOCL 365, Sociology of Poverty and Welfare in the US was approved for social science content by a vote of 8 in favor, 0 opposed, and 2 abstaining (due to having come in after the start of the discussion). The following suggestions were made:
    • Consider adding some “conservative” voices to the bibliography, such as Charles Murray and/or Christopher Jencks.
    • Fix the pre-requisite– SOCL 205 should not be required.
  5. LAWJ 255, Legal Problems in the Domestic Setting was approved for social science content and conditionally approved for gender diversity distribution by a vote of 9 in favor, 0 opposed, and 1 abstention. Conditions for final gender diversity approval are as follows:
    • The rationale for gender diversity distribution should be specifically reflective of the terms of the 1992 General Education framing document.
    • Course objectives should also be indicative of the gender diversity expectations for the course.

    Other questions about the course included the following:

    • How is case law since 1985 dealt with?
    • How long is the written assignment?
  6. LAWJ 215, Juvenile Delinquency was returned to the department for the following reasons:
    • The course outline should be reconfigured to fit the 14 week teaching semester.
    • A teaching syllabus needs to be provided.
    • No indication of the paper length is given; at least a five page, graded, out-of-class written assignment is required.
    • References to biological and psychological aspects of juvenile delinquency are not clearly indicated or provided.
  7. Adjournment occurred at 3:30 pm. The next meeting was set for October 1st in Holman 311 at 4:00 pm.

Courses Approved

  • SOCL 365 (Soc Sci Content)
  • LAWJ 255 (Soc Sci Content)

Courses Returned

  • SOCL 205
  • LAWJ 215
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