THE
FACULTY
SENATE
Senate
Document Number 2008S
Date
of Senate Approval 01/31/08
-
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement
of Faculty Senate Action:
Effective Date: Fall 2008
1. Delete: On page 193, the title and description for MLA 520:
520 Seminar on the Human Experience (3)
Interdisciplinary seminars on questions of human
nature and human values raised in the humanities, but drawing on insights from
the natural and social sciences as well. May be repeated as topics vary.
Add: On page 193, in place of deleted entry:
520 Seminar in the Humanities (3)
Interdisciplinary seminars on questions of human nature and human values raised in the humanities, but drawing on insights from the natural and social sciences as well. Some seminars emphasize the creative writing process. May be repeated as topics vary.
2. Delete: On page 194, the title and description for MLA 540:
540 Seminar on the Individual and Society (3)
Interdisciplinary seminars on questions of human
nature and human values raised in social sciences, but drawing on insights from
the humanities and natural sciences as well. May be repeated as topics vary.
Add: On page 194, in place of deleted entry:
540
Seminar on Globalization Past and Present (3)
Interdisciplinary seminars on questions of human
nature and human values within the context of
Globalization. These seminars are taught from the perspective of the social
sciences, but draw on insights from the humanities and natural sciences as
well. May be repeated as topics vary.
Impact Statement: The changes in the course titles and descriptions will have no impact on the overall 30-hour requirement for the MLA degree, nor will they eliminate the distribution requirement of at least one course in each of the three areas. Instructors will continue to develop individualized topical courses. The new descriptions highlight the new focus areas (Creative Writing and Globalization) in the 520 and 540 series of courses, respectively.
Rationale: The MLA Program seeks to take advantage of growing student
and community interest by allowing students to focus on specific areas of
study. The Program is also seeking to increase enrollments by 50% over the next
three years. Creative writing courses currently enroll well, and students have
expressed a desire for additional courses in this area. The “Globalization Past
and Present” area of study will address the phenomenon in both historical and
contemporary context. The natural science concentration, while retaining its
current seminar title of “Science and Human Values”, will take advantage of
growing interest in climate and environment-related topics. In all three areas of study, instructors will
remain free to develop individualized courses, but all future course
development will be coordinated with the focus topics in mind.