General Education Council
Minutes
11.12.07 

Council Present:
K. Peirce-Fine Arts and Communication
E. Morrison-Health Professions
T. Hindson-Liberal Arts
E. Blunk-Applied Arts
B. Stone-Applied Arts
R. Cook-McCoy Business Administration
M. Keefe-McCoy Business Administration
C. McCall-Education
M. Blanda-Science
S. Beebe-Liberal Arts
G. Farr-Science
P. Pattison-Chair Representative
V. Luizzi-Chair Representative
Council Absent:
R. Mooney-Health Professions
M. Johnson-Education
I. Davidson-Fine Arts and Communication
S. Gautille-Student Representative
K. Kasprzak-Student Representative 

Meeting convened at 3:31 p.m. 

Motion:
R. Brown asks for a motion to approve the minutes from October 22, 2007. T. Hindson so moves. B. Stone seconds the motion. The October 22, 2007 minutes are approved as prepared.

Report from the Humanities Subcommittee will wait until next meeting.

Report of the Philosophy 1320 Review Subcommittee
Members: Michael Keeffe, Eileen Morrison, Shirley Ogletree

After examining the submitted documentation for Philosophy 1320 and comparing it to the Texas State University-San Marcos Core Curriculum (Appendix C), the committee made the following recommendations and observations.

Recommendation:
When the submission recommendations are addressed (see below), we recommend that this course be approved by the General Education Council.

Recommendations before submission:

1. Make sure the documentation matches the areas found on Texas State University-San Marcos Core Curriculum (Appendix C).
2. Clarify the writing intensive nature of the course in the syllabus.
3. Add the Texas State requirements to the syllabus (i.e. Honor code, disability).

Observations:
The committee noted that this course had several strengths including flexibility of schedule (four weeks devoted to contemporary issues), linkage to the other disciplines, and emphasis on application including the evaluation strategies.

Motion:
The Philosophy Review Subcommittee recommends the following:
When the submission recommendations are addressed (see below), we recommend that this course be approved by the General Education Council.

Recommendations before submission:

4. Make sure the documentation matches the areas found on Texas State University-San Marcos Core Curriculum (Appendix C).
5. Clarify the writing intensive nature of the course in the syllabus.
6. Add the Texas State requirements to the syllabus (i.e. Honor code, disability).

Discussion: Dr. Luizzi addressed the recommendations from the subcommittee and assured the Council he would make the necessary changes to comply with the recommendations.

Who would teach the course? Anyone can teach it with the option of some teaching ½ 1320 and ½ 1305 and some teaching 1320 exclusively.

Motion passed unanimously.

Writing Intensive: How is it put in and how is it chosen? It is decided college by college with a requirement of just 9 hours.   Breakdown: 60% course writing and 1 special assignment (500) words. (HIST 1310, 1320 and PHIL 1305, 1320)

Writing Intensive Approval Process: 

1. Faculty member completes the WI course request
2. Send the completed form to David Nelson in University College for approval
3. Approved—Copy of top page sent to Denise Baldarrama (in Micky Autrey’s office)
4. NOT approved-returned to faculty member with a note on the form letting them know what is incorrect

Yes, the GEC can discuss the issue. 

Please mark your calendars for a special meeting on Dec. 3 at 3:30 in ASBS 112 to approve the learning outcomes from the departments with core courses.

Handout:

THECB Core Curriculum Report Summary Form—The comments reflect the analysis of the 2004 report. Yes, the report and core curriculum meet the requirements of the state law and the THECB.

Meeting adjourned 3:50 p.m.