Ed Policies Minutes, April 13

 

Members Present:  Brenda Peters, Ragene Gwin, Randy Richards, Bill Hixon,  Lori Rodriguez-Fisher, Nathan Schlueter, Kris Eitrheim, Dan Zeimet, Dave O’Connell, Barb Wiese, Jeremy Burke

 

Guests:  Paul Jacobson, Brian Miclot, Andy Swift,  Ken Colwell, Don Schneider, Alan Sivell, Carla Stevens, Ann Preston, , Rick Deinisch, Allison Ambrose, Patrick O’Leary, Mike Hustedde

 

Motion to approve the minutes of March 31:  Dave O’Connell;  Second: Bill Hixon

 

Two additions were received after the close of the meeting: one from Brenda Peters clarifying the General Education requirements regarding the interdisciplinary minor, and one from Charles Minnick making the requested changes to the description of the minor in Organizational Leadership.  The minutes will be re-submitted with those additions.

 

Minutes approved with additions

 

I.                    Program Review – Philosophy

 

Motion to approve:  Bill Hixon;  Second: Barb Wiese

 

Proposed actions included in the review:

 

After a thorough review of the department and its programs conducted in the fall of 2003, we are requesting:

1.      to add one new course: Phil 380: Introduction to Asian Philosophy,

2.      to drop three courses: PHIL 325: Ethical and Logical Issues in the Mass Media, PHIL 342 Ethics of Sexuality, and PHIL 410 Symbolic Logic, 

3.      to change the name of PHIL 405 from Epistemology to “Ways of Knowing,”

4.      to change the requirements for philosophy as a second major by adding more student choice.

 

            The course we wish to add to the department’s offerings is PHIL 380: Introduction to Asian Philosophy.  This course is being promoted from its initial successful offering as a section of PHIL 390: Special Topics in Philosophy.  It will be the first course in the department to focus on a variety of Asian traditions in philosophy.  The department believes that adding this course is rectifying a long-standing omission in our offerings. 

 

Dr. Richards will teach the course as he has done previously.  The department is requesting that this course be approved as meeting the general education requirements.  Please see the course fact sheet, the syllabus, the department goals grid and the general education grid for PHIL 380 that are included below with the course materials.

 

We are therefore proposing to retain 17 general education philosophy courses as they are described in the current catalog and 6 courses not approved for general education as they are described in the current catalog for a total of 23 philosophy courses to be offered by the department. 

 

Discussion:

 

The philosophy department believes that its strengths include efficiency in offering a large number of credit hours, achievement of a high level of student satisfaction indicated by excellent student evaluations, placement of majors in graduate schools, and attraction of minors and double majors which indicates that students develop a personal interest in philosophy that goes beyond job preparation.  A survey of alumni indicated general satisfaction with the program and with faculty.  Some graduates indicate that they read philosophy and that they see an impact of philosophical work on their lives.

 

Members of the department indicated a desire for the department to grow by offering a greater breadth of courses especially offerings outside of the field of ethics (where they believe their offerings are strong).  Possible additions include aesthetics, and topics courses.  The addition of Eastern Philosophy, which is included in this review, is seen as positive.   The high numbers of students requesting the general education “service” courses is one stumbling block to offering more specialized courses.

 

Indicators of the strengths and areas of growth include registration patterns and anecdotal evidence.  The department has not made great use of surveys or other measures that might seem more “objective.”

 

A question was raised regarding criteria for the labeling of courses at a particular level.  In general, 400-level courses are courses for Phil. Majors.  330-level courses require an Introductory course as a pre-requisite , although late-registering students sometimes beg their way into a 300-level course without the pre-requisite due to the lack of available classes.  There are not great differences between 100 and 200-level courses.  Courses tend not to be sequential, with the exception of the history sequence.  Even those are often taken out of sequence due to students’ scheduling needs.

 

The applied ethics minor is popular due to professional applications.  General philosophy minor is less popular. 

 

A question was raised about purposeful linking of courses.  The history sequence has natural links.  There is a movement toward Metaphysics and Epistemology courses as the crowning courses for integration of learning.  There is a great deal of independent work by members of the department.

 

A comment was made that the department goals seem more outcome-oriented than they are focused on the “big ideas.”  The departmental goals represent an attempt to take seriously the mission of the university and to echo that in the goals.

 

A question was raised about the “second major” with reduced credit load.  This may be unique in the university.  A large percentage of Phil majors are second majors due, in part, to practical issues of employment.  Teaching philosophy requires graduate work and Phil. Offers few other occupations in the field itself.

 

The department received compliments on very thorough General Education materials.

 

The Motion passed.

 

II.                 Departmental Review – communications

 

Motion to accept: Nathan Schlueter, Second: Dave O’Connell

 

The review includes a rather lengthy list of proposed changes to requirements for majors and minors.  Those are appended to these minutes.  Below is a list of courses to be added and dropped and a change in number of credits for COMM 101: Public Speaking.

 

  A.       Courses to be Added

 

                                                                                                                                                        COMM 305: Media Theory and Ethics, 3 cr hrs

                                                                                                                                                        COMM 432: Communication Law, 3 cr hrs                                       

                COMM 435: Media Programming and Management, 3 cr hrs

               

 

                                                Each of these courses meets a need identified in our assessment.  Communication law provides communication majors with a background in the legal issues that often confront their field.  Radio/TV Programming and Management reflects a need to provide students with a background in the management issues of the field.  The elimination of radio practicum, as a result of this course, better reflects a balance between skills and theory.

 

B.        Courses to be Changed in Title/Course Number

 

                Comm 230: Newswriting to Comm 230: Media Writing

                Comm 232: Mass Communication and Society to Comm 232: Media and Society

                Comm 251: Writing for Public Relations to Comm 251: Public Relations Techniques

                Comm 306: Group Decision Making to Comm 306: Group Communication and Decision Making                        

                Comm 328: Argumentation and Debate to Comm 328: Argumentation and Advocacy                           

                Comm 331: Feature Writing to Comm 331: Advanced Media Writing                        

                Comm 353: Communication Research Methods to Comm 353: PR Cases and Research

               

 

                                                The change in numbering for these courses is necessitated by our striving to be more accurate in the language choices of our titles. 

 

C.        Courses to be Deleted

           

            Comm 205: History of Mass Communication

Comm 335: Radio Practicum

Comm 403: Senior Seminar

 

These courses are no longer needed when we introduce the radio programming and management course.  Students are sufficiently exposed to production skills in the remaining courses within their major.

 

Change in credit

 

            Comm 101. Public Speaking.

 

We would ask that this course be changed from a 2 credit course to a 3 credit course.  The rationale is as follows:

 

·        Additional contact time would allow for additional speaking opportunities for students.  At present students give 2-3 graded speeches.  Additional contact time would allow for 4-5 graded speeches/activities.

 

·        In consistent with the primary way that public speaking is taught at other universities. 

 

·        Would not pose a hard ship on the department.  As the course is only two credits and since we offer only 2-3 sections a semester, faculty who are teaching the course are 1 credit shy of a 12 credit load.  The only economic impact is when we need to hire an adjunct instructor and that cost is minimal.  Two of the 3 sections taught this semester are taught by full time instructors.

 

·        Would not pose a hard ship to students.  The vast majority of students take Comm 110 as their oral communication requirement.  The additional credit would not be noticeable for the students.

 

           

Asked to comment on the process used for program, the department indicated that constant feedback is part of the discipline of Communications.  The department also receives a great deal of information about the performance of their graduates working in local media.  That information is received through frequent emails and through opportunities to meet with alumni.

 

Through these channels and through departmental discussions as well as through a review of literature in the field, the department identified a need to increase offerings in the areas of Mass communications in Society and in the theoretical aspects of communications. 

 

A question was raised about ethical concerns in mass communication.  General Education goals for the department list this as concern, but the departmental review does not note where it is covered.  It is integrated into every course, included in every text book in the field.  How is it assessed?  Assessment of this goal is somewhat informal and individual.

 

A question was raised about the long title given to the Public Relations and Marketing Communications Major.  This was an effort to give an accurate indication of the content of the major.  It was developed as an interdisciplinary major with the college of business before the COMM Dept moved into that college.

 

Question regarding assessment and use of portfolios: What sort of guidance is given to students as they select work sample for inclusion?  Guidance regarding the use of work samples to secure employment is provided at every level beginning with an informal gathering at the beginning of the term.  Students receive constant feedback.  Material available for review by the department includes all TV-11 materials as these are archived. 

 

A question was raised about the demise of individual events speaking.  This represents a natural consequence of greater concentration on professional areas rather than on performance.  Students interested in performance tend toward Theater.

 

Regarding General Education materials, Brenda Peters will email the department requesting a bit more detail about three courses. 

 

Motion passed.

 

III.               New MBA courses: 

a.       MBA 731  Marketing Across Cultures

b.      MBA 732 Internatioanl Political Economy

c.       MBA 733  International Strategy

 

Motion to approve:  Nathan Schlueter;  Second: Kris Eitrheim

 

These courses were originally conceived as a concentration in International Management.  Then, discussion led toward reconceiving the MBA as a whole and the department decided to propose the courses individually.  They will become part of the reconceived degree.

 

The courses demonstrate a growing commitment to International Business.  They will also expand the number of electives available to MBA students.  Current faculty can handle these courses.

 

Pre-requisites.

 

MBA 730 will be a pre-requisite for all of these courses.  MBA 732 will also require that the student has completed at least one course in Economics. It will be strongly recommended that the student have completed at least one half the requirements of the MBA before taking MBA 733.

 

Motion passed.

 

IV.                 Revision of WI requirements.

 

Motion to approve:  Nathan Schlueter  Second: Kris Eitrheim

 

New requirements as follows:

            WI Course Guidelines:

  1. The recommended enrollment cap for a WI course is 18 students.
  2. The course contains a significant amount of both formal and informal writing [approximately 6,000 words or 16 standard pages of text].  Discipline and course content determine the actual types of writing completed and the weight given to formal and informal writing.
  3. The instructor allows for revision time, inside and/or outside of class, for the formal papers.
  4. The instructor is the main respondent to student writing but may direct students to other readers when appropriate.  [The readers beyond the instructor may include but are not limited to a classroom peer, a classroom peer group, a peer or peer group beyond the classroom, a tutor in the Student Success Center…].
  5. The instructor explains the role writing plays in the discipline during the class as well as in the course syllabus.

 (Older guidelines included in appendix to these minutes)     

 

The basic objective is to allow WI instructors greater discretion in providing a proper emphasis on writing in the course.  The recommended cap at 18 is intended to encourage        adequate time for instructors to provide responses to student papers.  It is also hoped that this will encourage the development of more WI courses, especially at the 200-level. 

 

The new guidelines become effective immediately on approval.

 

WI designated courses should be reviewed in 5-year program reviews.  At that time, addition of new courses or changes in courses will be encouraged.  In addition, the director of Writing hopes to review courses with each instructor each semester.

 

Motion passed.

 

The LAST EPC meeting of the year will take place Apr. 27 to review three proposals from the Nursing Dept.

 

Motion to Adjourn:  Kris Eitrheim;  Second: Nathan Schlueter

Adjourned: 4;50 p.m.        
Appendix #1  Changes to majors and minors in COMM

 

E.         Changes in Requirements for a Major

 

           

            change Radio/TV Major

 

Old Requirements (34 cr hrs)                                              New Requirements (37 hours)                                           

Core: (12 cr hrs)                                                                   Core: (15 hours)

COMM 205: Hist of Mass Comm                                      Comm 225: Introduction to Desktop Comm

COMM 225: Intro to Desk Comm                                      Comm 230: Media Writing

COMM 232: Mass Comm & Soc                                       Comm 232: Media and Society

COMM 403: Seminar in Comm                                           Comm 305: Media Theory and Ethics

                                                                                                Comm 432: Communication Law

 

Concentration: (22 cr hrs)                                                 Concentrations (22 hours) Select one

COMM 224: Radio/TV Prod

COMM 335: Radio Practicum                                             Production Concentration:

COMM 337: TV Practicum I                                               Comm 224: Radio/TV Production

COMM 338: TV Practicum II                                              Comm 323: Writing Advertising Copy

COMM 339: Broadcast Technologies                              Comm 334: News Broadcasting

Any two of these:                                                                                Comm 337: TV Practicum I

COMM 233: Topics in Comm                                             Comm 338: TV Practicum II

COMM 323: Writing Commercial Copy                            Comm 339: Broadcast Technologies

COMM 230: Newswriting                                   Comm 435: Media Programming &Management

COMM 334: News Broadcasting                                                                      

                                                                                                Management Concentration:

                                                                                                Comm 224: Radio/TV Production

                                                                                                                Comm 337: TV Practicum I

                                                                                    Comm 339: Broadcast Technologies

                                                                                                                Mgmt 310: Principles of Management

                                                                                                                Mgmt: 320: Human Resources Management

                                                                                                                Mgmt 332: Organizational Theory and Behavior

                                                                                                                Comm 435: Media Programming & Management

 

                *Complete any minor outside of Dept. of Communication or complete any proposed sequence of 15 hours with a minimum of 6 hours at the 300 or above level and approval of advisor and department chair.

 

The primary change in this major is the addition of the management concentration and the requirement of a minor or individualized course sequence outside of the department of communication.  The management concentration allows students who do not want to enter production work another choice.  The requirement of courses outside of the department reflects our belief that these majors must be well balanced in their knowledge.  The media world is situated in many aspects of our world and additional coursework in these areas better prepares these students.

change Journalism Major

 

               

Old Requirements (34 cr hrs)                                              New Requirements (37 hours)                                           

Core: (12 cr hrs)                                                                   Core: (15 hours)

COMM 205: Hist of Mass Comm                                      Comm 225: Introduction to Desktop Comm

COMM 225: Intro to Desk Comm                                      Comm 230: Media Writing

COMM 232: Mass Comm & Soc                                       Comm 232: Media and Society

COMM 403: Seminar in Comm                                           Comm 305: Media Theory and Ethics

                                                                                                Comm 432: Communication Law

 

                Concentration: (15 cr hrs)                                                 Concentration: (19 hrs)

                COMM 230: Newswriting                                                   Comm 224: Radio/TV Production

                COMM 331: Feature Writ & Edit                                       Comm 331: Advanced Media Writing

                COMM 332: Print News Pract                                            Comm 332: Print Media Practicum (3 hrs)

                COMM 334: News Broadcasting                                       Comm 334: News Broadcasting

                COMM 354: Adv Broadcast Report                 Comm 337: TV Practicum I

                                                                                                                Comm 354: Adv Broadcast Reporting

                Electives: (9 cr hrs)

                ART 233: Photography I                                                     Electives: (3 hrs)

                COMM 224: Radio/TV Prod                                               Engl 216: Persuasive Writing

                COMM 233: Topics in Comm                                             Engl 320:

                COMM 240: Prin of PR                                                        Engl 321: Memoir Writing

                COMM 323: Writ Comm Copy                                           Comm 338: TV Practicum II

                                                                                                                COMM 337: TV Pract. I                                                       Comm 360: Special Topics in Communication

                                                                                                                COMM 338: TV Pract II                                                      Comm 323: Writing Advertising Copy

 

 

*Complete any minor outside of Dept. of Communication or complete any proposed sequence of 15 hours with a minimum of 6 hours at the 300 or above level and approval of advisor and department chair.

 

The primary change in this major is the requirement of courses outside of the department of communication.  The requirement of courses outside of the department reflects our belief that these majors must be well balanced in their knowledge.  The mediated world is situated in many aspects of our world and additional coursework in these areas better prepares these students.

 

 

            change Mass Communication Major (43 hours) to Media Studies (48 hours)

 

            Old Requirements                                                                                New Requirements

                Core: (15 cr hrs)                                                                                   Core: (15 hrs)

COMM 205: History of Mass Communication                                Comm 225: Intro to Desktop Comm

COMM 225: Introduction to Desktop Communication  Comm 230: Media Writing

COMM 232: Mass Communications and Society                           Comm 232: Media and Society

COMM 240: Principles of Public Relations                                      Comm 305: Media Theory and Ethics

COMM 403: Seminar in Communication                                          Comm 432: Communication Law

 

                Concentration: (16 cr hrs)                                                                 Theory and Research Methods (21 hrs)

COMM 224: Radio/TV Production                                                    Comm 240: Principles of Public Relations

COMM 230: Newswriting                                                   Comm 306: Group Comm and Dec Making

COMM 251: Writing for Public Relations                                        Comm 326: Communication & Technology

COMM 323: Writing Commercial Copy                                            Comm 331: Advanced Media Writing

COMM 329: Business & Professional Speaking                            Stat 213: Applied Stats for Social Sciences

                                Soc 314: Research Methods in the Social

                Electives: (12 cr hrs)                                                                                            Sciences OR                                                                         

            Choose at least 12 credit hours from following:                              Soc 315: Qualitative & Ethnographic

                COMM 203: Interpersonal Communication                                                     Research Methods

                COMM 233: Topics in Communication

                COMM 306: Group Decision-Making                                               Interdisciplinary Theory/Criticism (9 hrs)

                COMM 326: Communication and Technology                               One of the following:

                COMM 327: Organizational Communication                   Psci 103: Politics in Film

COMM 328: Argumentation & Debate                                            Thtr 210: Survey of American Film

COMM 394: Independent Study                                                       Engl 240: Fiction into Film

COMM 395: Independent Study

                                                                        Two of the following:

                                                                                                                                Art 231: Survey of Advertising Principles

                                                                                                                                Psy 306: Social Psychology

                                                                                                Psy 314: Human Motivation

                                                                                                                                Psy 331: Learning and Memory

                                                                                                                                Psci 325: Public Opinion and Propaganda

 

            change Public Relations and Marketing Communication Major (45 cr hrs)

 

                Old Requirements                                                                                New Requirements

                Core Theory: (12 cr hrs)                                                                     Core Theory: (15 hrs)

                COMM 232: Mass Communication & Society                                Comm 240: Principles of Public Relations

                COMM 240: Principles of Public Relations                                      Comm 232: Media and Society

                BUS 309: Principles of Marketing                                                      Comm 305: Media Theory & Ethics

                BUS 311: Advertising                                                                          Mktg 309: Principles of Marketing

                                                                                                                                Mktg 311: Advertising and Promotions Mgt

                Core Research, Writing & Skills: (15 cr hrs)

                COMM 225: Introduction to Desktop Communication  Core Research, Writing and Skills: (18 hrs)

                COMM 230: Newswriting                                                                   Comm 225: Intro to Desktop Comm

                COMM 251: Writing for Public Relations                                        Comm 230: Media Writing

                COMM 329: Business and Professional Speaking                         Comm 251: Public Relations Techniques

                COMM 353: Communication Research Methodologies                Comm 331: Advanced Media Writing

                                                                                                                                Comm 353: PR Cases and Research

                Core Capstone: (6 cr hrs)                                                                   Comm 329: Business and Prof. Speaking

                BUS 348: Marketing Management

                COMM 405: Communication Campaigns                                         Core Capstone Course:

                                                                                                                                Comm 405: Communication Campaigns

Electives: (12 cr hrs)

12 hours from the courses listed below.                                           Electives: 12 hours from one of the

Courses must be chosen from at least 2 areas with                                        following areas.

                at least 6 hours from courses in the Department of Comm.

                                                                                                                Visual/Graphic Production

Visual/Graphic Production Area                                                        Comm 224: Radio/TV Production

COMM 224: Radio/TV Production                                                    Comm 337: TV Practicum I

COMM 335: Radio Practicum                                                             Art 205: Studio Fundamentals: Computers

COMM 337: TV Practicum I                                                               Art: 231: Survey of Ad Principles

ART 205: Studio Fundamental: Computers in Art                          Art 233: Photography

ART 210: Graphic Design

ART 231: Survey of Advertising Principles                                    Media Relations

ART 233: Photography I                                                                            Comm 323: Advertising Copy

                                                                                                                                    Comm 328: Argumentation and Advocacy

Human Communication Area                                                                             Comm 334: News Broadcasting

COMM 203: Interpersonal Communication                                     Comm 432: Communication Law

COMM 306: Group Decision Making                                               Engl 216: Persuasive Writing

COMM 328: Argumentation and Debate                                         Engl 321: Memoir Writing

THTR 205: Acting

                                                                                                                                Business Communication

                Communication in Business Area                                                    Comm 203: Interpersonal Communication

COMM 306: Group Decision Making                                               Comm 306: Group Comm & Dec Making

COMM 326: Communication and Technology                               Comm 326: Communication & Technology

COMM 327: Organizational Communication                   Comm 327: Organizational Communication

                BUS 330: Professional Salesmanship & Sales Management         Mktg 330: Professional Sales Strategies

BUS 347: Consumer Behavior                                                            Mktg 347: Consumer Behavior

                                                                                                Mktg 348: Marketing Strategies

                Writing Area

COMM 323: Writing Commercial Copy

COMM 331: Feature Writing and Editing

ENGL 216: Expository & Persuasive Writing

                ENGL 217: Written Business Communication

ENGL 218: Technical Writing

 

 

Our department recognizes that many students may not want to major in communication.  As such, we developed minors for each of our major areas.  To provides more flexibility for the SAU student.

 

            change Communication Minor (15 cr hrs) to Communication Studies (15 hrs)

 

                Old Requirement                                                                                  New Requirement

                COMM 203: Interpersonal Communication                                     Comm 101: Public Speaking or

              COMM 225: Introduction to Desktop Communication  Comm 110: Basic Human Communication

                COMM 306: Group Decision Making                                               Comm 203: Interpersonal Communication

                COMM 329: Business and Professional Speaking                         Comm 306: Group Comm & Dec Making

                Either COMM 327: Organizational Communication                        Comm 328: Argumentation & Advocacy

                Or COMM 328: Argumentation and Debate                                    Comm 329 : Business & Professional Spk

 

                Add Broadcast Journalism Minor (16 hrs)

 

            Comm 224: Radio/TV Production

                Comm 230: Media Writing

                Comm 334: News Broadcasting

                Comm 337: TV Practicum I 

                Comm 232: Media & Society or

                Comm 432: Communication Law

 

                Add Journalism Minor (15 hrs)

 

                Comm 230: Media Writing

                Comm 225: Introduction to Desktop Communication

                Comm 331: Advanced Media Writing

                Comm 332: Print News Practicum (3 hrs)

                Comm 232: Media & Society or

                Comm 432: Communication Law

 

                Add Radio/TV Minor (16 hrs)

 

            Comm 224: Radio/TV Production

                Comm 232: Media & Society

                Comm 323 Writing Advertising Copy or

                Comm 230: Media Writing

                Comm 337: TV Practicum I

                Comm 339: Broadcast Technologies

 

               


Add Public Relations Minor (15 hrs)

           

            Comm 240: Principles of Public Relations

                Comm 230: Media Writing

                Comm 251: Public Relations Techniques

                Comm 353: PR Cases and Research

                Comm 432: Communication Law or

                Comm 232: Media and Society

 

 

 

 

Appendix #2

Current Writing Intensive Course Guidelines

 

A typical Writing Intensive course would adhere to the following practices and principles (from Educational Policies Committee, 2/7/89).  Any modifications should be approved by the E.P.C.

 

1.        The teacher assigns four formal papers of at least four pages.  These four papers are supplemented with a variety of other kinds of writing (for example, rough drafts, journals, exercises in class).

 

2.        The teacher spends 20 to 25% of class time on writing.  For example, students write in journals to summarize ideas and initiate discussion, perform prewriting exercises, analyze and discuss papers, collaborate on group projects.

 

3.        The teacher responds in writing to student writing, but is not the only respondent; for example, students read each other’s work and comment on it.

 

4.        The teacher builds into writing assignments the necessity of revision, emphasizing that almost all writing is rewriting.

 

5.       The teacher recognizes the importance of qualities generic to all good writing, but also attends to the conventions of writing in the particular discipline and develops strategies for teaching those conventions.