Core Education Committee

Voting members present: Aidas Banaitis, Geoffrey Barstow, Abigail Crowell, Kelsey Emard, Daniel Faltesek, Colin Johnson, Matthew Kennedy, Brian Mills, Rene Reitsma, Randy Rosenberger, Kari-Lyn Sakuma, Paula Weiss
Voting members absent: Lori McGraw
Ex-officio members present: Assessment & Accreditation – Heath Henry; Core Education – McKenzie Huber; Ecampus – Karen Watte; Difference, Power & Oppression – Natchee Barnd; WIC – Sarah Perrault
Guests: Stephanie Baugh, Michael Jefferies, Kristin Nagy Katz, Caryn Stoess

Information Item: Core Education Committee Implementation Phase II Planning and Queue Management

• An additional 3 courses per designator per category will be allowed to enter the queue in June. Prioritization will be made based on how the categories are looking and what is needed.
• Currently low in Arts and Humanities.

Course Reviews

• PSY 201Z Introduction to Psychology I (Social Science)
  • What are the institutional components that are explicit in the learning outcomes? They should be clear what the institution is and what the context it.
    • There were some passing references in CIM and the syllabus, but the connection should be stronger.
  • Could this be considered a physical science course?
    • This is part of common course numbering – changing it is not suggested.
  • PSY 202Z has a very similar syllabus to PSY 201Z.

Action: Motion to send back both PSY 201Z and 202Z and ask for demonstration demonstration of the nature of institutional elements in Learning Outcomes (LO) 1 and 3.

• PSY 202Z Introduction to Psychology II (Social Science)
• PS 201 Introduction to United States Government and Politics (Social Science)
  • Really well put together that addresses the LOs.
  • Minor typos present in some of the syllabi; easily addressed.
  • Essential assignments aligned well with learning outcomes.
  • Textbook is an open source, free resource.

Action: Motion to approve; seconded. The motion passed with 11 votes in favor, 0 votes in opposition and 0 abstentions.

• ECON 202 Introduction to Macroeconomics (Social Science)
  • Previously approved in the Baccalaureate Core and is looking to be approved for Core Education.
  • Essential assignment for all learning outcomes is an exam.
    • The committee doesn’t have access to what kind of questions are being asked on the exams, so it is unclear if they are an appropriate assignment to use for assessment.
    • Potentially better ways to assess this, but not a reason to hold the course back – as far as what the committee is requiring, this is sufficient.

Action: Motion to approve; seconded. The motion passed with 11 votes in favor, 0 votes in opposition and 0 abstentions.

• ATS 201 Climate Science (Scientific Inquiry and Analysis)
  • Sent back, requesting more details on the labs.
    • Details were sent as requested – simulators, graphic trends, etc.

Action: Motion to approve; seconded. The motion passed with 11 votes in favor, 0 votes in opposition and 0 abstentions.