CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
ANNUAL REPORT 2002-2003
2002-2003 MEMBERSHIP
Mary Correa
Michael Ennis-McMillan
Sarah Goodwin, Associate Dean of the Faculty
Ann Henderson, Registrar
Joseph Hodge
Kate Leavitt, Interim Director of Liberal Studies
William Lewis
Vasantha Narasimhan
Barbara Opitz, Assistant Director, Dean of Studies (Fall '02)
Jon Ramsey, Dean of Studies (Spring '03)
Paul Sattler, Chair
Elisa Travisono '04, student representative
The Curriculum Committee met a total of 21 times during the academic
year 2002-2003. Below is a brief summary of the committee's actions.
1. The Curriculum Committee reviewed and took action on approximately
164 proposals.
2. 32 new courses in various disciplines, ranging in credit hours from
1 to 4 were approved. Of these, 3 courses were approved as LS 2 courses.
3. 70 revisions to existing courses were approved. These include changes
in catalogue description, titles, liberal arts designation, prerequisites,
and semester hours.
4. 3 courses were approved as fulfilling Cultural Diversity designation.
5. 41 courses from various disciplines were deleted from the catalogue.
6. 15 revisions to majors/minors/programs were approved.
7. Michael Marx was a guest to the Curriculum Committee's January 30th
meeting. Prof. Marx was invited to clarify the nature of various changes
proposed for Liberal Studies 1. After much discussion and debate, the
CC "endorsed" the new LS1 course and approved the title change.
8. Ray Rodriguez attended two CC meetings to discuss what role the CC
may have in creating and implementing an assessment plan for Skidmore
College. Generally, the CC expressed hesitance in creating a plan for
the college, for the CC is an implementing body and historically does
not create academic/curricular policy. Meanwhile, many of the revisions
to the CC proposal forms and website guidelines have been made with clarity
and assessment in mind (requests for syllabi and student learning objectives).
Assessment was a recurring theme throughout the CC's academic year and
will, most likely, be an agenda item for 2003-2004.
9. The CC shared its collective opinion on several other college issues,
including distance learning, residential advising communities, and student-created
curricula.
10. The CC produced a document to Academic staff in December, 2002 regarding
a proposal to change the college's crediting system for internship credits.
The proposal suggests a more practical and flexible system of having internship
credits to count for 1-9 credits, instead of the current 3/6/9 structure.
The issue will be taken up once again during the 2003-2004 academic year.
11. The "line of approval" for all courses that will contribute
to an interdisciplinary program has been re-organized. To provide a more
timely review procedure and promote clarity for the approval process,
the line of approval for such courses will now be: (1)Department Chairperson;
(2) Interdisciplinary Program Director; (3)Liberal Studies Director, if
necessary; (4) Associate Dean of the Faculty; (5)Curriculum Committee.
The CC website guidelines and proposal forms have been revised to reflect
such changes in procedure.
12. A letter has been drafted for New Faculty Orientations. The purpose
for the letter is to introduce new faculty to the Curriculum Committee,
its mission and guidelines. Included is an outline of guidelines and suggestions
for proposing a new course.
13. Michael Ennis-McMillan will represent the CC on the 2003-2004 Self-Determined
Major Subcommittee (to be chaired by Paty Rubio).
A wholehearted thanks to all of my colleagues on the Curriculum Committee.
Their thoughtfulness, dedication and meticulousness was truly impressive
and made my job a lot easier. For more information regarding the Curriculum
Committee, guidelines, proposal forms and submission deadlines, please
refer to the CC website: http://www.skidmore.edu:80/academics/curric/
2003-2004 MEMBERSHIP
Erica Bastress-Dukehark
Ngina Chiteji
Mary Correa, Chair
Michael Ennis-McMillan
Sarah Goodwin, Associate Dean of the Faculty
Ann Henderson, Registrar
Kate Leavitt, Interim Director of Liberal Studies
Vasantha Narasimhan
Mary-Beth O'Brien (1-year replacement for Chiteji)
Jon Ramsey, Dean of Studies
Paul Sattler
Rachel Neuman '05, student representative
Elisa Travisono '04, student representative
Respectfully submitted,
Paul Sattler
Chair, Curriculum Committee
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