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UNIVERSITY CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
Minutes
April 9, 2007
Professor Toni Marzotto called the meeting of the University Curriculum Committee to order at 3:32 p.m. in the Towson Room (Cook 507) of Cook Library.
1. Some errors were discovered in the minutes for the February 12 meeting. The minutes were accepted, pending corrections.
2. Professor Dave Zang presented a proposal for changes in the Sports Management
major in Kinesiology. Impetus for the changes came in part from an external
review. Previously the Business Administration minor had been optional for
Sports Management majors. In the new plan, the BUAD minor will be required. This
will provide a foundation upon which Sports Management coursework can build. The
minor will also feature new courses exploring the distinctiveness of the field,
including an introduction to the sports industry, cultural economy, and a range
of governance, policy, and legal issues. The number of units remains the same.
Ms. Deborah Nolan commended the organization and clarity of the proposal and
suggested that it serve as a model for other departments. Professor Zang
credited a team of Kinesiology faculty, including Professor Joshua Newman, for
the effort. Professor Zimmerman moved and Professor Sandra Tatman seconded to
accept the proposed change. The motion carried unanimously.
3. Professor Sharon Glennen presented a proposed change to the Speech Language,
Pathology and Audiology major. The general aim of the revisions was to create a
premajor sequence that could be completed at community colleges. Transfers would
still need to apply to the SPPA major, but the changes would enable them to
complete the degree in two rather than three years. This change in standards was
approved by the Academic Standards Committee on March 27. Additionally, SPPA
enhanced the curriculum with critical new content on neurology and neuromuscular
systems; accordingly BIOL 213 will now be required (4 units increase). Small
adjustments to course prerequisites and changes to names and descriptions of
courses have also been made. Professor Glennen presented a series of emails in
which SPPA and the Biological Sciences department discussed adding BIOL 213, but
Professor Jay Zimmerman pointed out that there was no final acceptance from
Biological Sciences in the documentation. Professor Glennen agreed to contact
Biological Sciences and have them send a single affirmative email to reassure
the Committee that they were in agreement with the change. Pending receipt of
this email, Professor Reza Sarhangi moved and Professor Zimmerman seconded the
motion to accept the proposed change. The
motion carried unanimously. The desired email from Biological Sciences
was sent on April 17.
4. Ms. Tracy Miller asked whether it was permitted to share information learned at UCC. Mr. Bob Giordani encouraged committee members to share information whenever it was beneficial for performing their jobs and helping their colleagues to do the same.
5. The Committee returned to resolve the issue of track uniqueness. Thanks to the efforts of Ms. Nolan and Mr. Giordani, the Committee had developed draft language for new definitions for concentrations and tracks:
Concentration (MHEC
Approved)
A concentration is a sequential arrangement of courses representing a
specialized area of study within a program. A concentration requires a minimum
of 24 units and should have enough unique units to distinguish it from the
major, a track, or another concentration. A concentration will appear on the
student's transcript as a Subplan upon graduation.
Track (Towson University
Approved)
A track is a sequential arrangement of courses representing a specialized area
of study within a program. A track requires a minimum of 24 units and should
have enough unique units to distinguish it from the major, a concentration, or
another track. A track will appear on the student's transcript as a Subplan
upon graduation.
How would the new definitions be publicized?:
- They will be published in the 2007 Catalog and the Faculty Handbook.
- Mr. Bob Giordani agreed to send an email to Department Chairs.
How would current tracks and concentrations be affected?
- According to Mr. Giordani: All existing tracks and concentrations would be grandfathered; flexibility remains the principle.
What about the tracks that were rejected by UCC this year for being insufficiently unique?
- Mr. Giordani stressed that this was an extreme case of overlap and the arguments against such tracks had proved compelling. Changing the definitions should raise awareness of these nuances and prompt useful dialog on the issue before programs reach the Committee.
Professor Zimmerman moved and Professor Tatman seconded the proposal to accept the draft definitions of concentrations and tracks and to promulgate them as suggested. The motion carried unanimously. Thus the issue of track/concentration uniqueness was clarified to the Committee’s satisfaction.
6. The UCC meeting adjourned at 4:01p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Shana M. Gass
Secretary, University Curriculum Committee