November 5, 1996
MINUTES OF ACADEMIC COUNCIL
Present:
Holt (presiding), Buckenmyer, Caskey, Farmer, Frazier, Hinni, Jones, Kogge, McDougall,
Nahikian-Nelms, Roeder, Skelton, Tibbs, Wooldridge (for Stennis-Williams), Zink
Guest:
A. Minutes of September 3, 1996 approved as is.
B. Action Items
- Undergraduate Major in International Business. McDougall reviewed the rationale and
requirements for the proposed B.S.B.A. in International Business. Its curriculum
consists primarily of existing courses organized with an international focus. Frazier
asked about the costs students might have to bear to participate in international
business internships. Heischmidt responded that not all students will intern outside
of the country; some will work in the international units of businesses located in
the region. McDougall added that there are also paid internships. Jones raised a
question about the meaning of the “foreign language proficiency” requirement. Heischmidt
responded that native speakers of English will be required to take nine credit hours
of foreign language. Students whose first language is other than English would take
more courses in cultural studies. Tibbs remarked that there may be considerable overlap
between GG150 and UI308 and suggested that students be given other international options
from the General Education three hundred level interdisciplinary curriculum. Jones
suggested developing new courses on global issues in that category. Heischmidt agreed
that this would be desirable. Jones moved and Nahikian-Nelms seconded approval.
The motion passed unanimously.
- Deletion of the Art Education Minor. The Department of Art proposes to drop the minor
requirement on the B.S.Ed. in Art Education. The proposal has been approved by the
college councils of Liberal Arts and Education. McDougall moved and Caskey seconded
approval. The motion passed unanimously.
C. Discussion Item
Winter Intersession. The winter break is now being used to offer for-credit experiences
involving foreign travel. It has been suggested that there are many other uses that
could be made of an intersession--to offer special seminars, preparatory workshops,
etc. Meanwhile there have been requests to list existing “intersession” courses separately,
to adjust faculty loads, and to reflect the period during which such courses were
taken accurately on student transcripts. Kogge distributed a handout summarizing
some of the issues that would need to be resolved to have a formal intersession.
It was agreed that a major calendar restructuring issue of this kind does not fall
within the purview of Academic Council. However, specific concerns, such as a separate
listing for “intersession” courses in the course schedule, could be handled without
a formal intersession.