Liberal Studies Program Committee

Old Main—Room 304

February 13, 2007

Attendance:  Langdon Smith, Chris Kreiser, Julie Snow, Jesus Valencia, Deborah Wells, Jace Condravy, Sharon Sykora, Donald Zapien, Catherine Massey

Guests:  Bill Williams, Connie Laughner, Joe Lisciandro, Larry McCarthy, Richard Arthur

L. Smith called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m.

I.  Old Business

            A.  Approval of minutes from January 30, 2007

                        L. Smith called a motion to approve the minutes from January 30, 2007.

                        With addition of motion of approval to section II part A the minutes were                                              approved.

                        First:  J. Snow

                        Second:  J. Condravy

                        All approved, motion passed.

II.  New Business

            A.  Communications:

                        R. Arthur requested Committee approval of the Liberal Studies Assessment

Plan for course 13-200, Public Speaking. Arthur informed the Committee that The Competent Speaker Speech Evaluation Form, a nationally recognized rubric, will be used in the assessment of the course, an assessment which will involve a random selection of fifty video taped student presentations.

L. Smith called a motion to approve the Liberal Studies Assessment Plan for 13-200, Public Speaking.

With the addition of language acknowledging the Liberal Studies status of the course in the syllabus, the request was approved.

First:  J. Condravy

Second:  J. Snow

All approved, motion passed.

            B.  College Writing II:

                        C. Kreiser requested Committee approval of the Liberal Studies Assessment

Plan for course 24-103, College Writing II.  Kreiser informed the Committee that the assessment method for the course will involve a pre- and post- writing assignment in which students will be asked questions based on Departmental Course Objectives.  These assignments are then evaluated by the Composition Committee to determine further action. 

L. Smith called a motion to approve the Liberal Studies Assessment Plan for course 24-103, College Writing II.

With the addition of language acknowledging the Liberal Studies status of the course in the syllabus and the attachment of the rubric to be used, the request was approved.

First:  J. Condravy

Second:  C. Massey

All approved, motion passed.

            C.  Professional Studies:

 J. Lisciandro requested Committee approval of a new goal course, 73-130,  Dynamics of Global Commerce, in the Global Community (Non-U.S.) block, as well as Committee approval of the Liberal Studies Assessment Plan for the course.  Lisciandro informed the Committee that the course will help students understand the commerce of other countries, to think globally, and to become more aware of ethical behavior.  Addressing the assessment method for the course, Lisciandro said that it will involve a sample of student responses from a case study addressing various issues in a global commerce context.  These samples will then be evaluated using a rubric to assess the success of the course.

L. Smith called a motion to approve course 73-103, Dynamics of Global Commerce, and its Assessment Plan. 

First:  J. Condravy

Second:  J. Valencia

All approved, motion passed.

D.     Professional Studies:

L. McCarthy requested Committee approval of a new goal course, 73-250, Introduction to Human Institutions and Leadership, in the Human Institutions and Interpersonal Relationships block, as well as Committee approval of the Liberal Studies Assessment Plan for the course.  McCarthy informed the Committee that the course is a basic survey in why and how people organize.  Addressing the assessment method for the course, McCarthy said it will involve various student projects which will then be evaluated electronically using the University Outcomes rubric. 

L. Smith called a motion to approve course 73-250, Introduction to Human Institutions and Leadership, and its Assessment Plan. 

First:  J. Condravy

Second:  D. Wells

All approved, motion passed.

E.      LSPC Assessment Plan:

L. Smith informed the Committee that a “tips” document has been added to the Liberal Studies I-Drive and that the Committee should feel free to make suggestions.

F.      Liberal Studies Five-year Program Review:

L. Smith updated the Committee about the review process and scheduling interviews for Dr. David Starret, the external reviewer.

G.     Membership Vote on Rules and Procedures:

L. Smith reviewed the recent changes to the Liberal Studies Rules and Procedures document that will soon be voted on by membership.  Included in these changes were:  the addition of language addressing the newly approved Liberal Studies Assessment Plan, as well as the addition of members to represent the Challenges of the Modern Age and the Basic Requirements blocks.  During the meeting an additional change was made to the Rules and Procedures document, changing “Allied Areas” (under Membership) to CLAS (Counseling, Library, and Academic Services).

            H.  Miscellaneous:

Several issues were discussed during the course of the meeting concerning the proposed assessment plans, namely:  the need for course acknowledgement of both Liberal Studies status and Liberal Studies block in the course syllabus, as well as concerns with base-line assessment measurements, and finally, the attachment, as compared to the inclusion, of rubrics to the Assessment forms themselves.

            L. Smith called a motion to adjourn the meeting. 

            First:  C. Kreiser

            Second:  C. Massey

            All approved, motion passed.

            Adjourned 4:10 p.m.

            Recorded and submitted by Katie Thomas (GA)