Core Curriculum Course Review Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Questions:
Under what circumstances do I need to submit a course proposal to the Core Curriculum Committee?
What parts of the course review form do I need to fill out?
What competencies do I need to check on the form (and include in the course)?
What competencies do I need to assess?
What signatures do I need on the form?
What sort of minutes should I submit?
Where can I get more information?
Answers:
Under what circumstances do I need to submit a course proposal to the Core Curriculum Committee?
You must submit paperwork to the Core Curriculum Committee whenever your department wants to add a course to or remove a course from the Core Curriculum or change an existing course that is part of the Core Curriculum. Note that most such changes will also need to be submitted to the Curriculum & Instruction committee. Refer to the Curricular Proposal Flow Chart for more information.
What parts of the course review form do I need to fill out?
That depends on whether you are adding, changing, or deleting a course. Refer to the Guidelines document and the form itself for instructions.
What competencies do I need to check on the form (and include in the course)?
Definitions of each of the competencies can be found in the Framework document, Section II. Some competencies are required and others are optional, depending on the course content. For example, Lifelong Learning is required of all courses in the Core Curriculum (so you might as well go ahead and check it on your form right now!). Courses in Tier I must also include Critical Thinking. See the Framework document for additional competencies that must be included in courses in each of the specific Areas.
The minimum competencies specified by the Framework for each area of the Core are listed in the Core Competency Mapping document.
What competencies do I need to assess?
Assessment of the Core Curriculum as a whole is coordinated by the Center for Teaching and Learning. (Each department is asked to assess at least two competencies, not necessarily in the same course, using at least two measures for each one.) In support of that effort, each course in the Core must submit a plan to formally assess each of the competencies it addresses, including at least two measures to assess each of those competencies. Note that this is a plan only; you will not be required to actually assess those competencies until called upon to do so by the Center for Teaching and Learning.
I’m checking both Oral Communication and Written Communication. Can I lump these together and just have one measure to assess Oral Communication and one measure to assess Written Communication?
No. These are two separate and independent competencies. You may assess both, but you’ll need two measures for each one. (See above.)
What signatures do I need on the form?
The Core Curriculum Course Change form you submit should be signed by your Dean, the Chair of the PEUC (if required), and the Chair of your Department. After your second reading in the Core Curriculum Committee, the CCC Chair will sign and forward the packet to the VPAA for a signature. From there, it will go to the Registrar for implementation.
What sort of minutes should I submit?
The committee wants to see that your department has discussed the specific course addition/deletion/change in question and voted in the affirmative. Note that only department, not school, minutes should be submitted.
Do I need to submit these materials both electronically and in hardcopy? Do you want the electronic documents all in one big file?
All of your documentation must be submitted both electronically and in hardcopy. You should initially e-mail your electronic documents to the CCC chair. You may then bring the hardcopies, including the original signed course review form, to the first reading or send them to the chair via campus mail. We prefer for the electronic documents to be a set of separate files, one for each item (course change form PDF, syllabus, minutes, etc.). If you can, prepend each filename with the course department code and number (e.g., “PSYC 101”).
Where can I get more information?
Visit the Center for Teaching and Learning website and click the links to access Definitions of Core Curriculum Competencies and example descriptions for your course syllabi.
For information about first-year experience (FYEX) courses, visit the FYEX section of the Center for Teaching and Learning website.