THE
FACULTY
SENATE
Senate
Document Number 1305F
Date
of Senate Approval
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Statement
of Faculty Senate Action:
Deletion of
MLA 620, 640, 660, 681, 690 and 691
Effective Date: Fall 2006
1. Add: On pg 174, to the current
description of MLA 500:
500 Human Condition (3)
This course includes
guided scholarly research. [Current Catalog
description to follow, without change.]
Rationale:
UNCA's MLA students are--and should be--expected to conduct
research at at least the level of our
undergraduates. However, many, if not
most, are not able to do this.* Quality master's degree programs
traditionally begin with some kind of research-course, because the ability to
do good research is essential to learning at that level. MLA 670 is an excellent and necessary course,
but it is taken too late in the student's program to benefit their work
throughout the MLA curriculum. The
students need tutelage early in the program so that they can carefully and
confidently incorporate the excellent ideas of scholars with their own. (Good MLA students sometimes begin work on
their thesis before taking 670; as a result, too often they err in their ways.)
*This
is my observation (I’ve taught 9 MLA classes at different levels, from the
first class that was offered, to a course last year). It also is a national concern regarding such
programs: the issue has been a focus at
past AGLSP conferences, and the point was emphasized to me in a conversation
last year with an AGLSP officer.
So we are not alone in dealing with this problem.
2.
Delete: On pg 146, the entry for MLA 610:
610
Tutorial (1-3)
Individual study under the supervision of a faculty
member. Topics
chosen in consultation between student and faculty member. May be repeated for credit with permission of program director.
Add: On pg 146, in place of
deleted entry:
610 Tutorial (3)
Individual
study supervised by a faculty member. Topics are chosen after consultation
between student, graduate advisor, and faculty member. Course may be repeated once
as subject matter changes for a total of 6 hours of credit.
Impact: Limiting the number
of MLA tutorials will reduce the workload on faculty. It will also insure that
students participate in seminar experiences with other MLA students
Rationale: Students should
concentrate their studies in a seminar setting. In the past students have been
allowed to register for multiple tutorials, thus reducing their exposure to
group seminars.
3. Delete: On pg
147, the title and description for MLA
670
670 The Nature of Scholarly
Inquiry (3)
This colloquium provides a forum for students to develop
their individual scholarly
interests into an MLA project or thesis
topic. Includes survey of techniques of inquiry in
the arts, humanities, social
sciences and natural sciences, as well as practical issues from
finding a topic to final presentation.
Prerequisite: 21 hours in MLA program. Must be
taken prior to or simultaneously
with MLA 680 or 690. (Grading S/U.)
Add: On
pg 147, in place of the deleted entry:
670 Scholarly Inquiry Seminar (3)
This
seminar provides a forum for students to develop their individual scholarly
interests into a capstone MLA project. Includes survey of
techniques of inquiry in the arts, humanities, social sciences and natural sciences,
as well as practical issues from finding a topic, to final presentation and
defense. Students will define a topic for the project seminar and begin
preliminary research. Project proposals must be approved by the project advisor
and the project seminar instructor. Prerequisite: 21 hours in the MLA Program. (Grading S/U). Fall.
Impact: This change will
allow students to begin designing their capstone project.
Rationale: Course will focus on
the development of capstone project in consultation with fellow students. The
capstone project, MLA 680, will be completed during the following spring
semester; thus a cohort of students will pass through a two semester senior
experience.
4. Delete: On pg
147, the title and description for MLA
680
680 Master’s Project (1-3)
A scholarly research project, an original interpretive
essay or a creative project in the arts
or literature. Project to be
chosen in consultation with the faculty member who will serve
as its supervisor and approved by
the Graduate Council. Either 3 credits of MLA 680 or 6
credits of MLA 690 are required of all
MLA candidates. (Grading S/U/IP.)*
Add: On pg 147, in place of the
deleted entry:
680
Project Seminar (3)
Seminar
dedicated to the completion of a capstone scholarly research project under the
direction of a project advisor and project seminar instructor. Typically the project takes the form of a
major research paper (40-50 pages), but alternatives, including creative
projects in the arts or literature are permitted with the concurrence of the
advisor and project seminar instructor. Drafts are presented and defended in
the seminar, and final projects are due before the end of the semester. No
extensions are allowed; those who do not complete the project must retake the
seminar in the following year. Prerequisite: Successful completion of MLA 670. (Grading S/U). Spring.
Impact: Project seminar
will require close cooperation between individual project directors and the
instructor of the 680 seminar. Students completing the MLA program will
now be required to complete this project instead of choosing either a project
or thesis.
Rationale: Students should
complete their capstone project as part of a wider scholarly community. The
seminar format will create this community, allowing for peer critiques and
feedback from three faculty members.
5. Delete:
On pg 146-147, entries for MLA 620, 640, and 660
Impact: The impact will be negligible since the courses
are offered infrequently. Once students complete the seven required courses
under the revised curriculum, they may complete their 30-hour requirement with
a combination of tutorial and additional 500-level offerings.
Rationale: Deleting the courses eliminates redundancy
with MLA 520, 540, and 560. The original purpose of the 620, 640, and 660
seminars was to allow for courses that did not contain an interdisciplinary
component. Over the years, fewer and fewer discipline-based courses were offered.
Eliminating these seminars will streamline the curriculum and allow the MLA
Program to focus on interdisciplinary teaching and learning.
6. Delete: On pg
147, the entries for MLA 681, 691
Impact: Removal of the Project Extensions will insure
the expeditious completion of degree requirements.
Rationale: Students need to
complete their work in a timely manner, and in community with their peers. Peer review and critique will improve the
quality of capstone projects and begin the process of disseminating the results
of a scholarly research project.
7. Delete: On pg
147, the entry for MLA 690
Impact: Currently enrolled students with outstanding
In Progress grades in MLA 690 will be able to complete the course. Students
under the old curriculum who have not taken the thesis or project for
graduation will be required to complete MLA 680.
Rationale: We wish to eliminate the thesis/project
option in the MLA Program and concentrate on a two-semester capstone experience
where all MLA students work alongside their peers and critique each other’s
work.