THE
FACULTY SENATE
Date
of Senate Approval 02/12/09
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Statement
of Faculty Senate Action:
APC Document 24: Revise
Title and Course Description for ESI 490
Effective Date: Fall 2009
1. Delete: On p.
173, the course description for ESI 490:
490
Advanced interdisciplinary readings and research on a
topic of current interest in Ethics and Social Institutions. The research
project serves as the student’s senior capstone experience. See program
director.
Add: On p. 173, in place of deleted entry:
490 Senior
Research in Ethics and Social Institutions (3)
Guided research on a topic of interest in Ethics and
Social Institutions. The research project serves as the senior capstone
experience for ESI majors. An IP grade may be awarded at the discretion of the
instructor. See program coordinator.
Impact:
None.
Frequency of offering will be as needed, as has been the current
practice.
Rationale:
In 2007-08, an assessment of the ESI program was conducted
which included a survey of graduates and current students and a review of a
range of quantitative and descriptive information by a committee of interested
faculty members. This assessment led to the conclusion that it was asking too
much of students to both undertake a senior thesis project and to participate
in a readings seminar. In order to allow students the time needed to develop
and carry out satisfactory research projects, the readings component of ESI 490
has been removed.
The inclusion of an IP grading option is to add
flexibility for students who are unable to complete their research projects in
one semester, which has been the case for a few in the past. While an Incomplete grade has been granted in
the past for these students, an IP grade is more appropriate.