USF General Education Council - Minutes of December 4, 2006

Present: Andrew Smith, David Frankel, Ed Kellner, Greg Paveza, Hunt Hawkins, Irene Frank, Jane Noll, Joan Morris, John Ferron, John Hodgson, Nancy White, Robert Potter (Chair), Philip Levy, Scott Campbell, Suzanne Perry-Casler, Terry Sincich

Absent: Gladis Kersaint, Sharon Geiger

Guests: Diane Williams, Janet Moore, Patricia Maher, Theresa Flateby

The meeting was called to order at 3:05 p.m.

The minutes of November 20, 2006 were approved as submitted.
Discussion
- The council discussed ways to integrate the review process with the colleges. Guidelines to review courses will be formed after discussion with the colleges. Departments and colleges will have to take ownership of courses and understand the contribution of the Gen Ed Council. The courses proposed by the colleges should have more emphasis on Inquiry and Critical thinking. Major emphasis should be given on the outcome of the courses. The council also discussed issues relating to faculty resistance to changes. The council also discussed the need to have a designated person in the college for correspondence regarding review of courses with the Gen Ed council. The council requested its members to create ideas about the review process.
- To aid faculty in the development of exit courses, it was decided that a more complete description of the characteristics and types of capstone course was needed. The council requested volunteers to develop a draft for review and a subcommittee was appointed composed of Dr. Janet Moore, Dr. David Frankel and Joan Morris. This discussion was tabled until January 22, 2007.
- The council decided to have a meeting on January 22nd, 2007. It was decided to find an alternate room as SVC 2080 will be blocked for the UGC meeting. The room will be announced later.
New course/curriculum proposals
- EVR 2002 - Environmental Science: Regional and Global Issues ----- In Process.
- ENC 1101- Composition I (06/23/2006) and ENC 1101- Composition II (10/16/2006) ---------tabled for Jan 22nd meeting.
  The council reconsidered the proposal with its reduction of the total funding requested. The council discussed granting a request of funding for up to $115,000 with a number of different options, such as the support of mentors. Mentors would be experienced TAs and adjunct faculty. Merits of the course were enumerated, particularly in light of the GEC's emphasis on writing and the very large number of students served by this required course. Consideration was made for sharing the amount required for the course between the Gen Ed Council and the department.
- THE 4330 - Shakespeare for the Theatre----------------------------- Approved.
  This course involves study of select Shakespeare plays through current and past performance. Examination of texts, filmed rehearsals, scholarly sources, and commercial movies. Performance required in face to face sections. The course requires one time funding of $7,900 and recurring costs of $14,000, out of which $11,000 will be utilized to support 2 TAs and $3000 for re-filming videos. Some of the videos will be utilized for a lower level course and it will divide the amount into two courses. The course was approved by all.
- SYD 4411 - Urban Life 11/15/2006---------------------------------Approved.
  This exit course introduces students to the theory and practice of urban and community research. Students will conduct supervised individual and group research on a Tampa Bay neighborhood of their choice. This course has lot of merits and involves field trips coupled with interactive learning. The course was approved by all.
Distribution and Assignment of Course Proposals
- PHI 1600 - Introduction to Ethics - 11/23/2006
- SYO 4430 - Disability and Society - 11/20/2006
- CGS 2060 - Introduction to Computers and programming in Basic 6A - 11/22/2006
- LIT 2010 - Introduction to Fiction - 12/01/2006
- LIT 2030 - Introduction to Poetry - 12/01/2006
- WST 4320 - Politics and Issues in Women's Health - 11/30/2006

The next meeting will be Monday, January 22, 2007. The meeting was adjourned at 5:05 p.m.

Please send any suggestions or comments to:
Mia Fluitt - webcat@ugs.usf.edu