getting to 48: converting ge to semesters at cal poly pomona wendolyn vermeer, metadata librarian...
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Getting to 48: Converting GE to Semesters at Cal Poly Pomona
Wendolyn Vermeer, Metadata Librarian
English Council GE Panel
October 9, 2014
The General Problem: XKCD #974
http://xkcd.com/974/, courtesy Randall Munroe
“Doing it RIGHT”
"I find that when someone's taking time to do something right in the present, they're a perfectionist with no ability to prioritize, whereas when someone took time to do something right in the past, they're a master artisan of great foresight."
The Charge: GE-008-134 REF
• Design a 48 semester unit GE Subject Area Distribution model aligned with the breadth requirements in Article 4 of CSU Executive Order (EO) 1065.
• Update the instruction requirements for each GE Subarea to be consistent with the requirements in Article 4 of EO 1065.
The Charge: GE-008-134 REF (contd.)
• Align the GE Program Learning Outcomes approved last year with the GE Subareas, thus ensuring that students have the opportunity to develop all the approved learning outcomes as they complete the GE breadth requirements.
The Charge: GE-008-134 REF (contd.)
• Expand the Expected Course Outcomes (ECO) template to include sections that address the specific requirements of GE courses, in order to provide guidance to departments as they develop GE course proposals.
Current: 68 Quarter Units
…or 32 IGE Units plus 36 GE
Why 48? Wouldn’t 51 be easier?
Area Quarters Semesters
A 12 9B 16 12C 16 12D 20 15E 4 3
TOTAL 68 51 ≠ 48
Subcommittees formed
• Breakout into Areas A-D to do in-depth analysis and report back to committee• Extensively research GE at other CSUs• Push out general GE recommendations to
campus community by MID-OCTOBER
Tools and Resources Consulted
• Blackboard• EO 1061, EO 1065, Title 5 Section 40404• GE Student Learning Outcomes (rev. May 2013) • Associate Provost for Academic Programs
(Ex Officio member of the committee)• GE Assessment Committee• Department Chairs• GE Mission Statement
GE in the CSU
University Enrollment A B C D E Misc Total GE UnitsBakersfield 8371 48Channel Islands 5,140 9 12 12 12 3 48Chico 16,356 9 12 12 12 3 48Dominguez Hills 14,670 9 12 12 15 3 51Fresno 23,060 9 15 12 12 3 51Fullerton 38,325 9 12 12 15 3 51Humboldt 8,293 9 12 12 12 3 48Long Beach 35,586 9 9 9 9 3 9 48Monterey Bay 5,732 12 9 12 16 3 52Northridge 38,310 48Sacramento 28,811 9 12 12 12 3 48San Diego 32,759 49San Jose 31,278 9 9 9 9 3 12 51San Marcos 11,300 9 12 12 15 3 51Sonoma 9,120 8 12 12 15 3 50Stanislaus 8,917 8 12 12 16 3 51
Initial findings
1. The CPP language defining General Education had become more exclusive over time, moving away from the original language of EO 1065 and restricting course offerings in any one area.
Initial findings
2. At other CSUs, every GE requirement and EO 1061 requirements re: Amer History, US and CA Constitution may be fulfilled by a variety of courses, resulting in more choices for students.
Initial findings
3. It was certainly possible to achieve a 48 Unit GE minima for some students.
4. Many CSU campuses required Science lab for 0 units, or offered 2+1 semester units in some science classes.
Current proposal
• Cleans up existing GE Language found in the Curriculum Guide
• Includes more specific language from EO1065 in the revised definitions of GE areas and sub-areas.
• Provides GE definitions that will be broad and inclusive to encourage the development of multiple opportunities and options for our students
• Achieves a 48 semester unit minima that is possible for some students
Most contentious Area: D
• Mandate HST 202 and PLS 201?• Clearly meets 1061 and Title V
requirements• Collapses subareas D2 and D3 into one• Leaves only one other lower-level course
option for ALL the rest of Social Sciences
Solution
Area D Current
(16 quarter units)
D1: Hst 202, PLS 201 (8 Qtr Units)
D2: History, Economics, & Political Science (4 units)
D3: Sociology, Anthropology, Ethnic and Gender Studies
(4 units)
Area D Proposed
(9 semester units)
D1 History, Society and the Individual (3 or 6 Sem units); HST 202 included here
D2: Political and Economic Systems and Global Perspectives (3 or 6 Sem units); PLS 201 incl. here
Reduction of 1 unit in Area B
Current: Many courses in B1 and B2 are at least 3-quarter units + a 1-unit lab
Proposed: There must be some course offerings in B1 and B2 that will include a 2-semester-unit lecture and a 1-unit lab.
Still to come
• Revise language for upper division synthesis courses in B, C, and D• Consultation with Departments and Faculty
(this week and next)• Revise ECO templates• Review semester curricula for ALL GE courses
2014-2016
Lessons learned
• Lead time is too often a luxury• Use easy-to-reference nomenclature,
where possible!• Aye, a formalized meeting structure is
your friend• Aim for continuity in committee
service
Thank You!
Wendolyn C. Vermeer, M.L.I.S.Metadata LibrarianCal Poly Pomona University Library
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