THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT ASHEVILLE

 

FACULTY SENATE

 

Senate Document Number    9510S

 

Date of Senate Approval      05/06/10

 

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Statement of Faculty Senate Action:

 

 

APC Document 80:             Increase credit hours for POLS 220 and resulting editorial changes

 

Effective Date: Fall 2010

 

 

1.     Delete:     On page 239, the 3 credit hours for POLS 220:

 

   220          Principles of American Political Behavior (3)

 

 

Add:        On page 239, in place of deleted entry:

 

   220          Principles of American Political Behavior (4)

 

 

Impact:

It will make it easier for the instructors of POLS 220 to fulfill their 12-hour teaching loads. Most

now only teach eleven hours – two four-credit courses and the three-credit 220 course.

 

There are other difficulties inherent in scheduling, but after tinkering with them for the last three years we have developed several options which allow us to offer our courses in a 4-credit format without too much overlap with traditional class times.  Students will still be expected to satisfy the 34 hour minimum requirement. 

 

Rationale:

This change completes the Department’s three-year transition to four-credit courses. Having

experimented with four-hour courses at the 300-level and in the other introduction course (POLS 281), we

are convinced that this change is desirable.  Our experiences with 4-credit courses suggests two distinct advantages of applying this format to the introduction course.  First, the expanded format allows us to focus on cultivating inquiry skills including the Integrative Liberal Studies’ emphasis on writing, information, and quantitative literacy without sacrificing content.  Accomplishing these goals is particularly important in the introduction class.  Linking core concepts to ways of knowing and communicating ideas is essential for students beginning their study in the discipline.  Second, the subject matter naturally encourages questions and leads to discussion which we want to cultivate not discourage.  The expanded format will allow us to cultivate earlier development of oral presentation skills without sacrificing substantive content.

 

Two years ago, the Education Department opposed this change because it would increase the hour requirement for some of their programs. However, as that Department engages in a State Department of Public Instruction mandated “revisioning” of its programs, it seems an opportune time for the change. The Education Department may determine the class is no longer essential for their curriculum, or they may be able to make some other adjustments to hours to accommodate the change. An increasing number of their upper-level courses are also now four-credit offerings (see pages 125 to 126) indicating they see the value of four-credit classes.

 

 

 

2.     Delete:     On page 172, under Requirements for Concentration in Ethics and Social Institutions:

 

                         I.     Required courses for the major—18-19 hours, including: ESI 101, 490; ECON 101 or

102; PHIL 200; POLS 220 or 281; ANTH 100 or SOC 100.

                        II.     Research methods—3-7 hours. Complete one of the following groups: (a) STAT 185

and ECON 365; or (b) POLS 220, 281 and 390; or (c) SOC/ANTH 225 and either

ANTH 336, SOC 335 or 337.

 

     Add:            On page 172, in place of deleted entry:

 

                         I.     Required courses for the major—19 hours, including: ESI 101, 490; ECON 101 or

102; PHIL 200; POLS 220 or 281; ANTH 100 or SOC 100.

                        II.     Research methods—6-7 additional hours. Complete one of the following groups: (a) STAT 185 and ECON 365; or (b) POLS 220, 281 and 390; or (c) SOC/ANTH 225 and either

ANTH 336, SOC 335 or 337.

 

Impact:

There will be a 1-hour increase in the requirements for the ESI concentration. Since few, if any, ESI student have selected option (b), there will be a minimal impact in requirement II.

 

Rationale:

Editorial change reflecting the additional hour. 

 

 

 

3.     Delete:     On page 63, under Africana Studies Electives:

 

               POLS 220            Principles of American Political Behavior   (3)   

 

Add:        On page 63, in place of the deleted entry: 

 

                  POLS 220         Principles of American Political Behavior   (4)

 

 

4.     Delete:        On page 114, under Economics with Teacher Licensure, in item II:

 

                  Required courses outside the major—16 hours:

 

Add:           On page 114, in place of the deleted entry: 

 

Required courses outside the major—17 hours:

 

 

5.     Delete:        On page 122, at the top under Middle School Licensure (6-9):

 

                  Social Studies—9 hours:

 

Add:           On page 122, in place of the deleted entry: 

 

Social Studies—10 hours: 

 

 

6.     Delete:        On page 160, under History with Teacher Licensure, in item II:

 

                  Required courses outside the major—9 hours:

 

Add:           On page 160, in place of the deleted entry

 

                  Required courses outside the major—10 hours:

 

 

7.     Delete:        On page 254, under Sociology with Teacher Licensure, in item II:

 

                  Required courses outside the major—12-18 hours:

 

Add:           On page 254, in place of the deleted entry

 

                  Required courses outside the major—13-19 hours:

 

 

Impact:

There will be a 1-hour increase in the requirements for concentrations with 9-12 Social Studies licensure.  The Education Department is dealing with the concerns regarding excessive hours through their efforts at revamping their curriculum. 

 

Rationale:

Editorial changes reflecting the additional hour.