SUMMARY REPORT

                          Edison College CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
     FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2008, at 1:00 PM in IT BUILDING, ROOM G 102

Action Item # 1

Proposal:  Professor Carol Brown proposed a new, experimental, three-credit course:  New Religious Movements in America - REL 1921.  The applicable date would be Fall Semester 2008.
Explanation:  The course meets student interest in the variety of religious choices available today. Concerns about course numbering were effectively addressed, and Dr. Linck, the proposal presenter, commented that significant changes have been made to the course syllabus.  District Director Kim Gresham inquired about why the course was not a general education course.  Dr. Linck responded that it was decided to keep the course as an elective for now and that the SLOC Committee will decide if it is a general education course later.
Recommendation:  On a Voice Vote, the Proposal was Accepted.
Status:  Approved/ Dr. Noreen Thomas – 5/26/08

Action Item # 2

Proposal:  Dr. Kevin Kennedy proposed changing the grading system in the course Achieving Academic Success - SLS 1107 from the common college letter grading to a pass/fail system.  The applicable date would be Fall Semester 2008.
Explanation:  This change will better facilitate students’ transition into an academic environment.  Academic Services Manager Pam Mangene stated that she had taught this course and supported the pass/fail grading system.  Professor Russell Swanson inquired about whether the pass/fail grading resulted in the same damage to a student’s GPA as letter grading if a student fails the course.  Dr. Kennedy responded that the damage was not the same.  If the student passes the course under the pass/fail grading system, this does not count in the student’s GPA; if the student fails the class under the pass/fail system, the GPA is affected.  Curriculum Committee Vice Chair James Ward asked about when does a student go on academic suspension and how much in this course will help a student with mathematics.  Dr. Kennedy explained the academic suspension process in detail.
Recommendation:  On a Voice Vote, the Proposal was Accepted.
Status:  Approved/ Dr. Noreen Thomas – 5/26/08

Action Item # 3

Proposal:  The Nursing faculty proposed two new, two-credit courses:  Nursing Peer Enrichment Program - SLS 1310 and Nursing Peer Enrichment Program - SLS 1311.  The applicable date would be Fall Semester 2008.  Note:  Action Item # 3 was presented first at the meeting to accommodate a conflict in the Nursing faculty schedule.
Explanation:  These two courses would increase retention of students in the nursing programs.  Dr. Linck was concerned about how these courses will affect time to degree.  Dr. Mary Lewis, Associate Dean of Health Professions, responded that there would be no change.  Curriculum Committee Vice Chair Ward asked how were at-risk nursing students identified.  Dr. Lewis said that at-risk nursing students are identified in the courses Introduction to Nursing and Introduction to Pharmacology, as well as by test scores.  There is a 25-30% attrition rate, which these two courses should lower.
Recommendation:  On a Voice Vote, the Proposal was Accepted.
Status:  Approved/ Dr. Noreen Thomas – 5/26/08

Action Item # 4

Proposal:  Kristen Zimmerman, Associate Dean of Baccalaureate Programs, and Dr. Douglas Nay, Professor of Management, proposed a new bachelor’s degree program:  Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management.  The applicable date would be Spring Semester 2009.
Explanation:  This program will prepare individuals with technical expertise for advancement into supervisory and management positions.  It was emphasized during the meeting that this program meets a strong demand by two-year students.  The projected number of students for the first semester when this program will be offered is 35, and that is a conservative estimate.  This program will also fill openings in the local business community for employees with such qualifications.  Funding will be provided by the Baccalaureate Degree Grant from the Department of Education and student tuition.
Recommendation:  On a Voice Vote, the Proposal was Accepted.
Status:  Approved/ Dr. Noreen Thomas – 5/26/08

Action Item # 5

Proposal:  William Roshon, District Dean of Instruction, PTS; Kristen Zimmerman, Associate Dean, BAS PSM; Kim Gresham, District Director, Law & Public Safety Programs; & Dr. Douglas Landau, Professor of Public Safety Management, proposed changing Management Capstone Project - MAN 4915 to Public Safety Management Capstone - PAD 4878.  In addition to changes in the course number and course title, changes were proposed to the course prerequisites.  The applicable date would be Fall Semester 2008.  
Explanation:  This change will prevent confusion with the new MAN capstone course that will be proposed for the BAS in Management & Supervision, as well as reflect that the majority of BAS PSM coursework is centered around the discipline of Public Administration.  The changes are consistent with state course numbering.  Professor Grove inquired about prerequisites.  Students would need to be eligible to graduate at the end of the semester in which they enroll in the capstone course and permission would be required.
Recommendation:  On a Voice Vote, the Proposal was Accepted.
Status:  Approved/ Dr. Noreen Thomas – 5/26/08

Action Item # 6

Proposal:  Dr. Erin Harrel, Professor of Education, proposed the following new, three-credit courses:  Human Development and Learning - EDF 3214; Educational Needs of Students With Exceptionalities - EEX 3012; Literacy Content and Processes - RED 4350; Teaching Reading in the Content Areas - RED 4335; and Methods, Curriculum and Instruction (K - 12) - TSL 4340.  The applicable date would be Fall Semester 2008.
Explanation:  These courses would fulfill the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education Biology and Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education Mathematics.  Dr. Gordin asked what an example of a special permission from the dean would be to take one of these courses.  Associate Dean Zimmerman said a special permission would be needed for students who already have a BA.
Recommendation:  On a Voice Vote, the Proposal was Accepted.
Status:  Approved/ Dr. Noreen Thomas – 5/26/08

Action Item # 7

Proposal:  Dr. Harrel proposed the following new courses for the Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education Mathematics:  Teaching Methods in Middle School Mathematics With Practicum- MAE 3320C (4 credits); College Geometry - MTG 3212 (3 credits); Internship in Secondary Education With Mathematics Emphasis - MAE 4940 (12 credits); and Teaching Methods in Secondary School Mathematics With Practicum - MAE 4330C (4 credits.)  The applicable date would be Fall Semester 2008. 
Explanation:  These courses fulfill the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education Mathematics.
Recommendation:  On a Voice Vote, the Proposal was Accepted.
Status:  Approved/ Dr. Noreen Thomas – 5/26/08

Action Item #  8

Proposal:  Dr. Erin Harrel proposed the following new courses for the Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education Biology:  Teaching Methods in High School Science With Practicum - SCE 4330C (4 credits); Teaching Methods in Middle School Science With Practicum - SCE 3320C (4 credits); Cell Biology - PCB 3023C  (3 credits); and Internship in Secondary Education With Biology Emphasis - SCE 4940 (12 credits).  The applicable date would be Fall Semester 2008.
Explanation:  These courses would fulfill the degree requirements of the Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education Biology.  Professor Grove inquired about the practicums.  Dr. Harrel responded that they would take place in local middle schools and high schools for dual certification.
Recommendation:  On a Voice Vote, the Proposal was Accepted.
Status:  Approved/ Dr. Noreen Thomas – 5/26/08

Action Item #  9

Proposal:  Dr. Erin Harrel proposed two new, one-credit courses for both the Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education Biology and Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education Mathematics programs:  Special Topics in Secondary Education I - SCE/MAE 4930 and Special Topics in Secondary Education II - SCE/MAE 4931.  The applicable date would be Fall Semester 2008.
Explanation:  These two courses provide professional exposure for Secondary Education students and fulfill degree requirements for the two bachelor programs in secondary education.  Dr. Harrel mentioned that this is where students begin their portfolio.  Student disposition for teaching is measured in these courses, with a focus on personality type.  Dr. Harrel informed the Curriculum Committee that Lana Hoffman is collecting the statistics on personality type for program students.  A spin-off of the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) is used to evaluate personality type.
Recommendation:  On a Voice Vote, the Proposal was Accepted.
Status:  Approved/ Dr. Noreen Thomas – 5/26/08

Information Item

The Curriculum Committee is still waiting for the written opinion of the Edison College counsel regarding the “Religious Observances” statement in the Common Course Syllabus.  However, due to practical considerations of the undue burden that could be potentially placed on support staff to remove the statement from every syllabus, the “Religious Observances” statement will remain in the Common Course Syllabus for the Fall Semester 2008.  In process with N. Thompson – 5/26/08

                                                 End of Report

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Conwell, J.D.
Chair of Curriculum Committee