UNIVERSITY CURRICULUM COMMITTEE

Minutes

May 9, 2005

Professor Buchbinder called the meeting of the University Curriculum Committee to order at 3:35 p.m. in the Towson Room of Cook Library.  The agenda was changed to postpone the election of the chair until Fall 2005.  Also the proposal for the change in the Women's Studies Masters Program was forwarded to the Graduate Studies Committee.  The minutes of the April 11, 2005 were accepted as written. 

No one from the Occupational Therapy & Occupational Science Department had been invited to address the change in hours for OCTH 314 Psychosocial Function and to answer questions from the University Curriculum Committee.  Nevertheless, the Committee discussed the proposal to increase the units earned in OCTH 314 from 4 to 5 in order to more accurately represent the number of in-class contact per week.  Professor King asked about the impact on faculty loads and why the hours were not increased to 6 to represent the 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of lab per week; however, she indicated the questions should not delay a vote on the proposal.  Professor Buchbinder indicated that she would ask OTOS to answer those questions via e-mail.  Professor Kubitz moved and Professor Mattanah seconded a motion to approve the increase of hours from 4 to 5.  The motion carried unanimously.  

Professor Reitz replied to the e-mail questions indicating that OTOS felt that 5 credits was a more accurate reflection of the student and faculty workload whereas 6 credits may be a stretch.

No one from the Family Studies program had been invited to University Curriculum Committee to discuss the change in the Family Studies minor. The Committee reviewed the proposal and had two questions: 

1.  For the required Service Learning Elective (3 credits) the proposal indicates that a student can take either FMST 387 or FMST 397 or FMST 490.  Senior Seminar designation usually indicates a writing intensive experience with a specific focus.  Why did the Family Studies program decide to make FMST an elective and how does that figure into a Service Learning scheme (i.e. spending time working in the community)?  The Senior Seminar appears to be at 'odds' with Service Learning.

2.  Why does this minor now require no 4xx level courses?

The Committee agreed that Professor Buchbinder would ask Professor Eskow the questions via e-mail and that the Committee would conduct its discussion online.  Professor Eskow explained the rationale behind the changes in 4xx level and service learning requirements. The FMST 490 course addresses the integration of the academic preparation and community participation.

Professor Kubitz moved to approve the change to the FMST minor and both Professor King and Professor Rose seconded the motion. The motion carried by e-mail vote per Professor Buchbinder’s report on May 12.

The final FY05 University Curriculum Committee meeting adjourned at 4 p.m. on May 9 and the final business was finished at 4:16 p.m. on May 12.

Respectfully submitted,

Yvonne T. Lev, Acting Secretary