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Spring 2004

Liberal Learning Advisory Council Minutes Spring 2004

Minutes Arranged by Date


May 12, 2004

Present: L. McCauley (Chair), S. Albertine , R. Anderson (Secretary), D. Dalafave, D. Fair, J. Gray, A. Quinton, S. Ryan

  1. The meeting was a working session with lunch served.
  2. A brief discussion on procedures for next year resulted in agreement that it should be one where the major focus is on implementation of the new curriculum, and that the council, faced with limited meeting times, would have to rely on its committee structure. The use of expert panels should occur when such necessary expertise is not present on the council. Bob Anderson reminded members that we represent the college as a whole, and not our particular constituency. That is, we are expected to seek what is best for the overall institution, rather than our particular school or program.
  3. A committee to evaluate and give preliminary approval to Option A, Interdisciplinary Concentrations was established. It consists of Larry McCauley, Susan Ryan, and Bob Anderson, with Rick Kamber serving as on outside member (based on his position as Coordinator of Interdisciplinary Concentrations. The committee was charged to review existing proposals for concentrations.
  4. The Physics Department’s proposal that First Seminar courses be accompanied by recommendations from department and/or school curriculum committees was tabled pending a statement to be worked out by Larry McCauley.
  5. The remaining time was spent in committees reviewing FSP proposals. Bob Anderson was asked to contact Rachel Adler about her writing requirement and Nobo Komagata about his reading list, and to make sure full syllabi were on file for each seminar.
  6. Adjournment was at 4:15. No additional meetings were scheduled for the Spring semester.

April 14, 2004

Present: L. McCauley (Chair), S. Albertine, R. Anderson (Secretary), D. Dalafave, R. Edelbach, D. Fair, R. Fangboner, L. Gabriel-Stheeman, J. Gray, A. Quinton, S Ryan

  1. The minutes from March 24 th were accepted as corrected and amended; viz , the minutes of 2/25 and 3/17 were approved, ‘ways of knowing’ was struck from the categories approved for EFN 398, INB 250 , and MGT 301 ; and INT 250 was not approved as it was improperly before the council, not having received prior approval from the School of Culture and Society’s curriculum committee.
  2. WRI 202, Researched Writing in the Disciplines was unanimously approved as a course satisfying the sophomore/junior writing requirement. It satisfies the requirement but it is not a required course.
  3. A vote on SED 224, Adolescent Learning and Development was tabled, pending a report from Daryl Fair on his consultation with Elizabeth Paul, Chair of Psychology.
  4. EFN 299, Learning and Diversity was approved for the race and ethnicity civic responsibility category by a vote of 9 to 0 with 1 abstention. Further consideration of the request for approval for behavioral, social, or cultural perspectives was deferred pending clarification on whether or not a half course can satisfy a domain requirement. Bob Anderson was asked to consult with CAP on the issue.
  5. ELE 201, Child and Adolescent Development was approved for race and ethnicity and gender by unanimous vote. Further action was tabled pending a report from Daryl Fair on his consultation with Elizabeth Paul.
  6. The next meeting was set for April 28 th at 3:30 in room 220 Library where an orientation to the on-line Information Technology course will be provided.
  7. An additional meeting for May 12 th from noon to 4:00 (or as needed), with lunch supplied was also scheduled.
  8. Adjournment was at 1:55.

Courses Approved

  • WRI 202 – Researched Writing in the Disciplines (Soph/Jr writing)
  • EFN 299 – Learning and Diversity (race and ethnicity)
  • ELE 201 – Child and Adolescent Development (race and ethnicity, gender)

Courses Tabled

  • SED 224 – Adolescent Learning and Development
  • EFN 299 – Learning and Diversity
  • ELE 201 – Child and Adolescent Development

March 24, 2004

Present: Larry McCauley, Susan Albertine, Danielle Dalafave, Daryl Fair, Luis Gabriel-Stheeman, Susan Mitchell, Susan Ryan

  1. Minutes from meeting of 3/17 approved.
  2. Committee had a short discussion of the Foreign Language amendment. It was decided. Tabled for further discussion.
  3. Discussion of EFN 398 Cultural Foundations of Schools. Albertine explained that course is being proposed as a requirement for education majors and be able to fulfill liberal learning Social, Behavioral Change requirement. Albertine proposed that it should be left open so that a student could also take a sociology course which fulfilled similar learning goals. Question arose about ancestry approvals, should it be automatic or subject to review especially if the course has changed designations (approved under one GEAC category but now wants new Liberal Learning category). After discussion, EFN 398 was approved unanimously for Ways of Knowing (Social, Behavioral, Cultural) but more information will be required before it can fulfill a race and ethnicity designation.
  4. Two other courses were submitted for approval: INB 250 International Study Tour, and INT 250 and MGT 301 Organizational Behavior. After a brief discussion, both courses were approved unanimously with both courses having the designation Ways of Knowing (Social, Behavioral, and Cultural).
  5. Meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. Next meeting set for two weeks on April 7 at 12:30 p.m.

March 17, 2004

Present: L. McCauley (Chair), S. Albertine, R. Anderson (Secretary), N. Godenich, R. Edelbach, D. Fair, R. Fangboner, L. Gabriel-Stheeman J. Gray, S. Pasch (Guest), S. Ryan, A. Quinton,

This was a special meeting called for the purpose of considering several resolutions previously circulated via email regarding foreign language requirements.

  • Susan Pasch, Vice Provost for Academic Programs and Initiatives, attended for the first half hour of the meeting.  She outlined some reasons why we might want to consider modifying the foreign language requirements in cases where programs would otherwise petition for a waiver of such requirements based on accreditation or certification needs.  After an extended discussion of several options, the following resolution was approved unanimously with 11 members supporting it and none opposing it or abstaining:
  • With the approval of the school dean and GEAC, programs granting the B.S. degree, needing to meet accreditation or certification standards, and requiring a foreign language, shall allow students who begin studying a language they have not previously studied in high school complete their language with two semesters of study.  Students who continue in a language begun in high school shall continue to be required to attain proficiency at the 103 level.  This policy shall be reviewed after three academic years beginning with Fall 2004. No other business was conducted. Adjournment was at 1:50.  The next meeting remains as scheduled for March 24th at 3:30 in SB 102.

February 25, 2004

Present: L. McCauley (Chair), S. Albertine, R. Anderson (Secretary), D. Dalafave, N. Godenich, R. Edelbach, D. Fair, R. Fangboner, L. Gabriel-Stheeman J. Gray, K, Peterson, A. Quinton,

  1. The minutes of February 11th were approved as submitted.
  2. Bob Anderson reported that the First Year Seminar has been renamed as First Seminar, and that a numbering system has been devised that allows for identification of thirty different categories incorporating all six domains of human inquiry and each of the four civic responsibilities plus a null category for each domain.  He also reported that 82 sections are being scheduled for Fall 2004.
  3. Susan Albertine reported on developments in the writing program, including progress in the writing assessment project and plans to use preceptors to assist FSP faculty members and other teaching writing intensive courses.
  4. IDS 252, Society, Ethics, and Technology was approved for Worldviews and Ways of Knowing with the understanding that a grading rubric would be supplied, the reading assignments would be increased, and that instructor’s opportunities to add readings would be made more clear.  Approval was unanimous.
  5. Adjournment was at 4:45.

Course Approved

  • IDS 252 – Worldviews and Ways of Knowing

February 11, 2004

Present: L. McCauley (Chair), S. Albertine, R. Anderson (Secretary), R. Edelbach, D. Fair, R. Fangboner, L. Gabriel-Stheeman, C. Kuhn, J. Landreau (Guest), C. Miller (Guest), S. Mitchell, A. Quinton, S. Ryan

    1. The minutes from January 28th were approved as submitted.
    2. John Landreau, Chair of CAP spoke to the council about his concern that the approval processes GEAC is using for liberal learning courses and programs may be insufficiently tied to liberal learning goals and outcomes. He said that he favored a more careful review of proposals than time may allow as we move quickly toward full implementation in Fall 2004. He proposed that approvals given during this time have a ‘sunset clause’ that would guarantee a
      re-examination and re-appraisal once the pressures of implementation are relaxed.  He also indicated that GEAC ought to find a way to work in sub-committees so as to maximize the time available for examining individual proposals.
      Members of GEAC explained that the goals for transformed courses in the disciplines are consonant with the liberal learning goals, and are intentionally so, meaning that the careful preparation faculty members have put into their transformed courses carries over to their application to liberal learning. They also pointed out that a balance is needed between being through and requiring more than is necessary, and that GEAC is putting a good deal of trust in the professional abilities of the faculty. Larry McCauley commented that the goals and outcomes are understood as generative, not regulative, and that we want to unleash the creative energy of the faculty.  He also pointed out that we are working though a sub-committee system, but that we would work toward refining it as necessary, and add outside members if needed.
    3. The following GEAC members agreed to assume responsibility for their respective areas:

Domains of Human Inquiry

  • Susan Ryan: Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts
  • Bob Anderson: Worldviews and Ways of Knowing
  • Daryl Fair: Behavioral, Social, or Cultural Perspectives
  • Larry McCauley: Social Change in Historical Perspective
  • Danielle Dalafave: Quantitative Reasoning
  • Ray Fangboner: Natural Science

Civic Responsibilities

  • Luis Gabriel-Stheeman: Race and Ethnicity
  • Janet Gray: Gender
  • Al Quinton: Global Awareness
  • Susan Mitchell: Community Engagement
  1. The following resolution regarding the coordination of community engage learning was unanimously approved:
    “It is recommend that Bill Ball will serve during the Spring 2004 semester to help coordinate community engaged learning in the Office of Liberal Learning with the understanding that his work will include the defining of parameters for community engagement within the structure of courses, programs, and equivalent sustained experiences, and that he will also work directly with faculty members in the developing of appropriate course-based experiences in the community.”
  2. LIT 280, Literature, Film, and the Art of American Politics was unanimously approved for Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts.
  3. MAT 255, Perspectives on the Development of Mathematics was unanimously approved for Worldviews and Ways of Knowing.
  4. Adjournment was at 2:00, sharp.  The next meeting was set for February 25th at 3:30 in SB 102.

Courses Approved

  •      LIT 280 – Literary, Visual and Performing Arts
  •      MAT 255 – Worldviews and Ways of Knowing

January 28, 2004

Present:  S. Albertine, R. Anderson (Acting Chair, Secretary), R. Edelbach, D. Fair, R. Fangboner, L. Gabriel-Stheeman, J. Gray, A. Quinton

  1. The minutes from January 14th were approved as submitted. However, Luis Gabriel-Stheeman commented that the change of terminology from ‘foreign language’ to ‘second language’ could be problematical as the term second language has a technical meaning in language studies. Others commented that foreign has a perspectival nature that can both confuse and demean. No action was taken.
  2. The following resolution regarding the Coordinator of interdisciplinary Concentrations was unanimously approved:
    “It is recommended that Richard Kamber will serve from February 1, 2004 through January 31, 2005 as Coordinator of Interdisciplinary Concentrations in the Office of Liberal Learning with the understanding that his work will lead to the creation of a diversified set of concentrations, representative of the college as a whole.  Further, GEAC will assess the need to make the position more permanent.  If such need is determined, GEAC will recommend procedures to recruit a regular coordinator.”
  3. After a discussion of the fact that there is no clearly delimited way to achieve the speaking goal, as indicated in the Deans’ document, “Students should be able to demonstrate a well-developed, confident identity as good speakers who can communicate clearly and effectively to an array of audiences for a range of purposes,” the following resolution regarding speaking proficiency was unanimously approved:
    “It is recommended that departments and schools assume responsibility for meeting the speaking requirement in the Liberal Learning program.  Further it is recommended that more clearly defined, but flexible goals must be articulated, and that appropriate resources and leadership must be provided, particularly in light of the Middle States accreditation self-study and site visit soon to occur.”
    By way of explanation members of GEAC agreed that campus expertise on speech and the teaching of speaking be tapped to help define the nature and scope of the issue, and to serve as a resource for the campus as a whole.  Members also thought it likely that many transformed courses would already have speaking components, whether or not they were so identified.
  4. Bob Anderson distributed summary sheets of raw data from selected questions of the Course Outcomes Survey recently administered to all FSP 101 and IDSC 151 classes.  Discussion focused on the size of the sample (it included the entire population, about 590 students), whether or not questions might have been skewed to favor Athens courses (they were not; they were created independently by Ray Barclay), and how more disciplinary-based courses, such as FSP 101 might engender different kinds of responses than interdisciplinary courses, such as IDSC 151.  It was agreed that Ray Barclay would be invited to a future meeting.
  5. Bob Anderson also distributed a list of faculty members thus far ‘pledged’ to teach about 55 FSP 101 sections during the fall 2004 semester.  Other names were suggested and the list has since been expanded to approximately 68.
  6. Susan Albertine suggested that Bill Ball might be able to serve in a capacity to evaluate and facilitate efforts toward community based research and/or community engaged learning.  Members were favorable toward the proposal, but no action was taken.
  7. Adjournment was at 4:50.  The next meeting was set for February 11th at 12:30 in Social Science 102.

January 14, 2004

Present: L. McCauley (Chair), S. Albertine, R. Anderson (Secretary), D. Dalafave, R. Edelbach, D. Fair, R. Fangboner, J. Gray, C. Miller (Guest), S. Mitchell, S. Ryan

  1. A lunch of pizza-three ways, Italian salad, fruit salad, and assorted cookies, brownies, and drinks was enjoyed by council members as they worked their way through part of the agenda.
  2. The minutes from December 10th were approved as submitted.
  3. Dean Caroline Miller spoke to the council about implementation time-line issues.  We need to know when GEAC can do what is needed regarding individual courses, programs, and experiences that bear upon Liberal Learning requirements.  As a result of the discussion Bob Anderson agreed to send a request to Academic Leaders for complete information on courses offered during Fall 2004 and which categories they are expected to fulfill, and why.  Also included in the memo should be a request for information on liberal learning categories satisfied by completing particular major programs.
  4. The issue of who ‘owns’ FSP 101 courses was raised as a result of a discussion reportedly having occurred in the Biology Department.  Members of GEAC agreed without dissent that FSP 101 courses were not offerings of particular departments, programs, or schools, but rather, were college wide courses offered though the Liberal Learning Program.  They do not require the approval of school or department curriculum committees, but rather are approved directly by GEAC.
  5. A name change from General Education Advisory Council (GEAC) to Advisory Council on Liberal Learning (ACOLL) was also unanimously approved and sent to the Steering Committee as requested.
  6. A new charge for the council was unanimously approved and sent to Steering Committee, also as requested.  Its text follows as an addendum.
  7. Adjournment was at 2:15.  The next meeting was set for January 28, at 3:30 in Social Science 102.

Addendum to the Minutes

Proposed Charge for Advisory Council on Liberal Learning (ACOLL): Proposed New Name for General Education Advisory Council (GEAC )

ACOLL is charged with the implementation, oversight, assessment, and promotion of the Liberal Learning program as outlined in the CAP document of May 2003, the Dean’s response of September 2003, and the subsequent document produced by the joint committee on Liberal Learning in November 2003 and modified by GEAC in December 2003.  The specific areas of oversight include:

  • Intellectual and Scholarly Growth:
    • FSP 101, the First Seminar Program
    • Writing Proficiency
    • Speaking Proficiency
    • Second Language Proficiency
    • Information Literacy
  • Civic Responsibilities:
    • Gender
    • Race and ethnicity
    • Global perspectives
    • Community engagement
  • Domains of Human Inquiry:
    • Option A (interdisciplinary concentration)
    • Option B (self-designed interdisciplinary concentration)
    • Option C (9 course model)

With respect to these programs and the individual courses and experiences which comprise them, GEAC is charged with these responsibilities:

  • To develop criteria for approval
  • To design a format and procedure for application
  • To implement and administer a process for approval
  • To facilitate ongoing assessment of the program

With respect to individual courses and the program as a whole, GEAC is charged with the responsibility to promote liberal learning by facilitating faculty and departmental participation and making the new system visible, comprehensible, and valued throughout the campus community.

Please note: The Liberal Learning Program has been renamed The College Core, and some of its components have also been renamed. Learn More
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