New Programs and Innovations Committee

Minutes from 8 May 2003

Members present: Adam Abugri, Troy Paddock (chair), Michele Thompson, Chuck Wieder (recorder)

Special topics courses introduced:

EDU 488: Supporting Preschoolers with Language Differences

Media Studies Program (MDS) Revision proposal.

Discussion included a summary of the evolution of the MDS Department and of the proposed program revision from what had previously been a major concentration. A focus of concern was the lack of a substantive academic rationale within the proposal, and how the proposed program of study would fulfill goals statements within the Rationale. (The current Rationale was seen to address issues related to administrative structure rather than academic/curricular substance.)

Questions were raised concerning:

 The lack of a completed UCF Revised Program Proposal form, and the accompanying signature sheet.
 The difficulty of evaluating the proposed program and courses without the statement of a clear academic rationale.
 The absence of an indication of the relation of the proposed study program with other program models in Media Studies area/discipline.

By unanimous vote, the MDS proposal was not approved.

Interdisciplinary Minor in Ethnic Studies Proposal:

Professor Shirley Jackson was present during part of the discussion of the proposal.

Additional time was deemed to be needed for review of this proposal. And given the inopportune timing of this review amidst end-term chores, the decision was made to request that NPIC members study the proposal further in the days ahead. The members cast their votes electronically and the proposal was passed unanimously.