USF Undergraduate Council - Minutes of March 26, 2007

Present: Celina Jozsi, Dell DeChant, Dewey Rundus, Larry Thompson, Sara Goodman, Sharon Geiger, Sherman Dorn.

Absent: Alecia Peacock, Nancy Tyson, Natalie Shultz, Sandra Cadena, Steven Reader, Tom Brantley

Guests: Coby O'Brien, Glen Besterfield, Janet Moore, Scott Liu.

The meeting was called to order at 3:07 p.m.

1. The minutes of February 26, 2007 were approved with amendments.

2. Discussion:
Declaration of Major Policy
The "Declaration of Major Policy" was presented to the Undergraduate Council. It states that all the students must be officially declared in a major or a pre-major before they register for more than 36 credits. It also states that transfer students who transfer more than 36 credits are required to declare a major(or a pre-major) at the time of entry to USF. Transfer students who have not declared a major or (pre-major) and who have completed more than 36 hours of college coursework will not be allowed to register for future credit coursework at the university until they have declared a major or a pre-major.The Declaration of Major Policy was approved by all in the UGC.

Recency of Credit/Courses
The UGC discussed the issue of the course credits which are old and whether they can be applied towards graduation. At present there are some departmental policies for determining the recency of credits and no standard university policy. The goal is to develop a standard university policy. Members of the UGC had concerns whether the universal policy at this time was appropriate or not.

The UGC continued its ongoing discussion of its operating procedures and rewording of the Council's charge. A list of recommendations on operating procedures were given by the UGC members.

3. Review of course/curriculum proposals:

   • AML 3630 U.S. Latino/Latina Literature in English ----- was Approved.
   
   This literature course surveys American English literature by Latin/Latina writers (with Spanish American ancestry). Authors may include Piri Thomas, Sandra Cisneros, Esmeralda Santiago, Luis Valdez, Thomas Rivera, Oscar Hijuelos, etc. This course was approved by all.
   • ADV 4200 Advanced Advertising Creativity ----- was Approved.
     This course focuses on production of advertising messages. The curriculum integrates ethics, branding, consumer insight, message strategy, conception, persuasion, copywriting, design and presentations. Students learn to execute effective advertising messages. This course was approved by all in the council.

   • ADV 4210 Portfolio Building------------ was Approved.
   
   This course goes beyond the basics of copy and layout to develop a broader understanding of the creative advertising process. It stresses creativity and organizational ability in portfolio building, along with technical skills in portfolio production. This course was approved by all.
   • ADV 4300 Advanced Media Strategy --------was Approved.
   
   This course Emphasizes decision making and critical thinking. This advanced course prepares students for the complexities of advertising media planning, implementation, and evaluation. The course was approved by all.
   • ADV 4305 Digital Media ----------was Approved.
   
   This course focuses on the impact of new communication technologies on consumer behavior and advertising practice. Students will learn the nature of digital media options and how to incorporate them into advertising planning. This course was approved by all.
   • Mass Communications - Advertising Curriculum Changes ----------was Approved.
   
   The current advertising curriculum offers only six required advertising courses. Although it provides students the needed knowledge base, the curriculum as a whole is little more than a survey course, an industry overview, providing little or no depth. Changes are indeed overdue, and our inability to adapt could make the advertising program at USF hopelessly antiquated. Changes through the new curriculum (known as Zimmerman Advertising Program) will address the deficiencies by:

   • Creating two specializations (Creative and Media) within the curriculum, with two new required courses in each specialization;

   • Converting one elective course (Advertising Management) into a required course;

   • Reducing the number of elective hours from twelve to three;

   • Removing an outside required course (LIS 2005);

   • Changing the title and description of an existing course. Although the total hours of the new curriculum remain unchanged, their completion will require a minimum of five semesters instead of the current minimum of four. The attached old and new sequence description specifies all proposed changes.
   • PHH 3420 Early Modern Philosophy:---------------- Tabled till next meeting.
   • PHH 3440 Late Modern Philosophy:-------------- Tabled till next meeting.

The next meeting will be Monday, April 9th, 2007. The meeting was adjourned at 4:58 p.m.

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