Present: desJardins, Eggleton, Hagerty, Kars, Lynn, Martens, Young and Viancour

1. Minutes for 11/20/08 were approved.

2. Postings

The following postings discussed and approved:

• AMST 324: The Road Movie (New)
• GES 400 Selected Topics (Change: Credits)
• Astronomy Minor (Program Change)
• PHYS 304 Fundamentals of Astronomy & Astrophysic (New)
• Mechanical Engineering (Program Change)

• AGNG 100 So You Say You Want a Revolution: How Boomers are Revolutionizing Aging - The Department withdrew the request for AGNG 100.
• AMST 323: Baltimore in Film (New) - The UGC would like a more specific weekly course outline of movies and readings.
• AMST 327: Sports and Media in American Society (New) - The UGC is requesting a more specific weekly course outline which would include readings.
• AMST 390: Culture and Media (New) - The UGC is requesting a more specific weekly course outline which would include readings.
• AMST 412:Seminar in Black Hair and Body Politics (New) - The UGC is requesting a more specific weekly course outline which would include readings. The UGC was also concerned that one o the text books mentioned is forthcoming. It could not understand the catalog description, and would like to see that description rewritten. The UGC also thought the amount of work (a 7-10 page group paper) for a 400 level course rather light.
• SOWK 373 - Demystifying the DSM: A Social Work Perspective (New) - The UGC requested a more detailed weekly course outline, which shows the readings and topics for each week. The UGC also wondered whether the Department intended to have max repeat credits be 0, ie. the course cannot be repeated? Also, given the absence of a pre-requisite or recommended course preparation, the UGC wondered whether the course is really a 300-level course? It seemed perhaps more of a 200 level one?
• HAPP 370 - Topics in Peer Health Advocacy (New) - The UGC had several questions and concerns especially around the issue of repeatability. The committee is concerned that while it only counts once for the major (which seems appropriate by the way) students can take it three more times to get upper-level credits. The UGC also didn't like the idea that students could take four courses which essentially only differ in focus, but do not necessarily provide new challenges and skills. Perhaps the courses should be taught at four different levels (100, 200, 300 and 400) for instance, so there is an accumulation of skills and knowledge? The request also mention the need to have this as a a 300 level class because of the level of commitment needed, but course levels do not represent levels of commitment but levels of academic rigor so that argument was less persuasive to us. Lastly, it was mention that these courses being cross-listed with Psychology, but there is no letter from Psychology endorsing this.The UGC is requesting that the Department send a representative to discuss these issues in person?
• THTR 360 Modern Theatre I—Social Protest (Change: Course Number) - The UGC was satisfied with the justification for turning these "capstone" courses into 400-level courses, but felt that the prerequisites (one 200-level theater course) were inadequate, given the claimed justification. The UGC would like for the Department to identify the appropriate 300-level prerequisites (e.g., THTR 321, the analysis course you mention) for these to-become-400-level courses.
• THTR 361 Modern Theatre II—The Interior World (Change: Course Number)
• THTR460 Theatre Capstone (New) - The UGC tabled the course because it did not have sufficient information to make a decision. The course proposal did not give a clear indication of what the readings would be and we would like for you to provide a weekly schedule of topics and readings/writings.
• THTR Capstone (Program Change)

Meeting adjourned until February 26, 2009.