Minutes of the University Academic Council s1

Minutes of the University Academic Council November 17, 2005

A meeting of the University Academic Council was held on November 17, 2005, in Y-Hall at 3:00, with Dr. Alan Brown presiding. Others present were Dr. David Bailey, Dr. Pat Beatty, Dr. David Bowen, Dr. Michael Cooke, Dr. Tommy DeVaney, Mr. Clarence Egbert, Dr. R.T. Floyd, Dr. Tom Gonzalez, Dr. Martha Hocutt, Dr. Nancy Kudlawiec, Dr. Marion Madison, Dr. Judy Massey, Dr. John McCall, Mr. Carey Moore, Dr. Thomas Ratkovich, Dr. Neil Snider, Dr. Stephen Slimp, Ms. Beth Springer, Dr. Gary Stone, Dr. David Taylor, Ms. Nancy Taylor, and Dr. Joe Wilkins.

The College of Education presented the first curriculum changes. Representing the Department of Foundations of Education, Dr. Martha Hocutt proposed that the EP 406 and EP 506 be offered as separate courses. In response to a question from Dr. Taylor, Dr. DeVaney assured the Council that EP 406 and EP 506 will contain separate content. Dr. Hocutt also said that the title of EP 500 will be changed from Educational Psychology to Advanced Educational Psychology because the State Department of Education prefers that stacked courses not be used. Dr. Judy Massey moved that the changes be accepted. Dr. Pat Beatty seconded the motion.

R.T. Floyd presented the curriculum changes for the Department of Physical Education. In response to a request from Dr. Taylor, Dr. Floyd agreed to spell out the acronyms “ARE” and “AED” (“American Red Cross” and “Automated External Defibulator”) in the course description. Ms. Springer moved that the proposals be approved as revised, Dr. David Bowen seconded the motion, and it passed.

The College of Liberal Arts presented the next curriculum changes. Dr. Nancy Kudlawiec stated that the new title of MU111, Music Fundamentals/Ear Training, more accurately depicts the course content than does the present title, Music Theory/Ear Training. Dr. Judy Massey moved that the changes be accepted. Dr. Pat Beatty seconded the motion, and it passed.

Dr. David Bowen presented the changes for the Department of History and Social Sciences. Dr. Bowen said that a new course, HY536 The Meaning of the First World War, will be taught online by Dr. Richard Schellhammer. Another new course, PY 529 Pharmacology, will be taught online by Dr. Mark Davis. Dr. Nancy Kudlawiec moved that the changes be accepted, Dr. Pat Beatty seconded the motion, and it passed.

Dr. Pat Beatty presented the curriculum changes for the Department of Languages and Literature. Dr. Beatty said that EH 490 Senior Seminar is being deleted because it has not proven successful--very little can be done in a one-hour course. Dr. Beatty also proposed that EH 215-216 World Literature, EH 221-222 English Literature, and EH 231-232 American Literature be substituted for EH 211-212 Introduction to Literature. Two sections of each course will be offered each semester. Dr. Taylor said that these changes will make registration more difficult for students because the AGSC requires that basic curriculum literature course be taken as a sequence. Dr. Taylor also predicted that more students would sign up for American Literature than for English Literature or World Literature. Dr. John McCall predicted that these changes would create a scheduling nightmare. Dr. Taylor suggested that these changes be phased in slowly, beginning with American Literature. He believed that dividing sophomore literature into American Literature, English Literature and World Literature would be more appropriate for a larger institution. Dr. Joe Wilkins suggested that Dr. Beatty discuss these proposed changes with the other chairs at a later date. Dr. Wilkins then moved that Sections III-VI be tabled pending further consultation with the other chairs. Dr. Judy Massey seconded the motion. Dr. David Bailey moved that Sections I and II be accepted. Dr. David Bowen seconded the motion, and it passed.

The next curriculum changes were presented by the College of Natural Science and Mathematics. Dr. John McCall presented the changes for the Department of Biology. Dr. McCall proposed the creation of a junior level course—BY 390 Evolution and Systematics—because the University needs to do a better job teaching evolutionary theory. He added that evolutionary theory is central to modern biology. Dr. McCall said that the Biology Comprehensive Major, which is geared for students who plan to attend professional schools, is extremely popular. He proposed a General Biology Major that would be comprehensive and would prepare students for graduate school. Dr. McCall proposed that Microbiology become a requirement for Marine Biology. Microbiology is particularly pertinent for high school teachers. In fact, most science fair projects these days deal with microbiology. Dr. McCall proposed collapsing Vascular Plants into Plant and Systematics for the benefit of students who are interested in forestry. Dr. McCall proposed creating two tracks in the Environmental Sciences Comprehensive major to better prepare students for fields such as wildlife management. Dr. David Bailey moved to accept Dr. McCall’s proposed changes. Dr. Carey Moore seconded the motion, and it passed.

Dr. Carey Moore presented the curriculum changes for the Department of Chemistry. He proposed the creation of PH 201 and PH 202 College Physics I and II to conform to recent changes in state articulation requirements. Dr. Judy Massey moved that the changes be accepted, Dr. Floyd seconded the motion, and it passed.

Dr. Tom Gonzalez presented the curriculum changes for the Department of Mathematics. He proposed the creation of an on-line course, MH 184 Survey of Mathematics for the Elementary Teacher. This course would contain elements of MH 181, MH 182, and MH 183. Dr. Taylor said that it should be made clear that this course could not be substituted for MH 181, MH 182, and MH 183. He also suggested changing MH 184 to MH 180, since in content the new course is at a lower level than MH 181. MH 180 will be taught online only and is intended to help teachers meet the No Child Left Behind requirements. Dr. Gary Stone moved that these changes be accepted, Dr. David Bailey seconded the motion, and it passed.

At 4:40, Dr. Joe Wilkins proposed that the Council adjourn, and the motion to adjourn was passed. Respectfully submitted,

Alan Brown