Minutes of the General Education Review Committee (GERC)
Present:
Absent:
Meeting called to order:
I. Minutes of
II. Announcements: Alice Robertson
announced that 180 and 280 already do library instruction. She suggested that the library might consider
offering instruction specifically for WID courses.
III. Shouse (chair)
introduced the packet of materials for consideration. The Guidelines and General Criteria for
Inclusion in General Education was the first item considered.
A. Miller moved that WS be
listed in the Social Sciences and Humanities categories,
Communication in the Social Sciences, Broadcasting in Humanities and Communication
Sciences and Disorders in Human Well-being.
Discussion ensued. Miller articulated the rationale for the motion. Discussion centered primarily on the addition of CSD, as they do not currently offer a course in general education. GERC discussed what has historically occurred when a course requested inclusion was not listed. Carr suggested a specific listing, as has been practice, with a clause. Baker-Sperry proposed a friendly amendment to vote on the first group separately from CSD, which was accepted. The motion regarding WS, Communication, and Broadcasting passed unanimously. Miller withdrew the motion for CSD.
Carr suggested that the guidelines should permit departments not listed to at least be considered by CGE. Discussion about the language of Carr’s suggested clause ensued. Carr moved, and Miller seconded, to include in the first section of the Guidelines the following language: “Departments not listed in a category may submit courses for inclusion in general education and those courses will be considered based on merit.” The motion passed unanimously.
Maskarinec asked for confirmation about a mechanism for future changes. Shouse assured him that CGE can make any future change as a recommendation to the Senate.
B. Humanities/Fine Arts: operationalizing the definition of fine arts
Miller made a motion to accept the definition of the fine arts as listed:
“A General Education Fine Arts course is one that relates directly to the analysis of the aesthetic or historical aspects of the visual arts, musical performance, dance, or theatre performance. General Education courses offered by the Departments of Art, Music, and theatre and Dance can be used to fulfill the 3 hour General Education Fine Arts requirement. Courses from other departments may also be designated a Fine Arts course, as long as the course content is consistent with the above definition.” A friendly amendment to change the first sentence to “appreciation and analysis” was accepted. Miller moved to accept, Robertson seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
C. Carr moves that all text that reads “Humanities” in this document as related to the category name be changed to “Humanities and Fine Arts.” Miller seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The question is raised: Do we need to have separate goals for humanities and fine arts? Shouse says that when the categorical goals were written, they were to cover all. CGE may go on to adjust at a later date.
D. Shouse suggests we use the category goals as descriptions for categories II-VI, in addition to the department lists. Miller moved to do so, Zoerink seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
E. Shouse suggests we omit the section entitled “Additional points of clarification are as follows.” Miller
moved to do so, Maskarinec seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
F. Maskarinec suggested we remove the word “basic” from the first lettered
item in the Natural Science and Mathematics description. Miller moved to do so, Maskarinec seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
G. Schmidt suggests (through e-mail) that we add a new section B for the
guidelines for consideration of Interdisciplinary Courses. The new section would read
“Courses that are interdisciplinary
in nature and are not part of the course offerings of an academic department
may be considered for inclusion in Categories II, III, IV, V, and VI.
An
academic unit may request that an interdisciplinary course be included in one
of the above categories, given that the course meets all the requirements for
the general education curriculum and the requirements for courses in the
relevant category.”
Miller moved to do so, Maskarinec seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
H. In re-lettered section C,
1. Revise section 1 to reflect changes to the goals and guidelines for each category. Miller moved to do so, Maskarinec seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Can anyone say “motion hogs…?” lest you think these two were the only ones at the meeting- please see attendance above!
2. Include an expectation that all General
Education courses will include
multicultural content or pedagogy, as appropriate to the
discipline. Much discussion
ensued. Straw vote called by
Baker-Sperry. Straw
Vote to determine readiness for genuine vote unanimous. Miller makes a motion to accept wording,
Baker-Sperry seconds. The
motion passed 12-1.
3. Revise number 3 (newly numbered 4, if above addition is made) to
exclude new 300 and 400 level courses. Miller
raises questions about how the elimination of 300 level courses might affect
Board of Trustees students. Tabled.
Meeting adjourned at
Next meeting: April 5,