THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT ASHEVILLE
                         FACULTY SENATE 

Senate Document Number  2191S 
Date of Senate Approval    3/21/91

 
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Statement of Faculty Senate Action:   

                       APC DOCUMENT #20:  
Course and Requirement Changes in the Philosophy Department

Effective Date:  Fall, 1991

I.  Course Additions:

Add to page 145 of the '90 - '91 Catalog the following courses:


302  Philosophy of Sex and Gender (3)

     Problems of sex and gender, such as the link between sex and
     gender, ethics of sexuality, "naturalness" of sex and gender
     roles, feminism as it relates to issues in sexual and gender
     role assignment.


309  Medical Ethics  (3)

     Ethical problems in health care, such as patient
     autonomy, informed consent, death and dying, abortion,
     transplants, medical research and distribution of health
     care.


Environmental Impact:

Both courses have been offered as special topics several times in
the past.  An increase in enrollment will probably follow because
of improved publicity but neither course will require additional
staff.  Both courses are service courses and respond to the needs
of other University programs.  Both courses are normally taught by
philosophy departments around in country.


Rationale:

This proposal responds to the requirement that continuously offered
special topics courses be approved as regular courses.  Two faculty
have taught Medical Ethics in the past, three have taught
Philosophy of Sex and Gender.
II.  Course Revision:

On page 146 replace PHIL 402 with:

402  Senior Research Thesis (3)

     Directed, advanced, independent studies in a specific
     philosopher or philosophical problem resulting in a
     bachelor's thesis.  Prerequisite:  senior standing in
     philosophy.  IP grades are approved for this course.


Environmental Impact:

None.  This course and the course it replaces were taken only by
philosophy majors.


Rationale:

This is how the course number has been used in the past.  This
change merely updates the Catalog to reflect what has been the
practice for several years.  Because this is a research course, 
the department request permission for an "IP" grade.  Because the
old and new course both meet the same requirement, there is no need
for a new course number.



III.  Change in Major Requirements:

1.  On page 144 under part I drop "401 or".  At the end of part I
add:  Philosophy 402 may be waived for double majors with the
consent of the department.

2.  Change part III to read:  

Other departmental requirements -- demonstration of competence: 
senior comprehensive exam.


Environmental Impact:

None.  This affects only philosophy majors and has been department
practice for several years.

Rationale:

The effect of these changes is to require a thesis of all
philosophy majors.  For several years the department has required
seniors to write a thesis.  This change updates the catalog to
reflect this practice.