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Undergraduate Curriculum Forum

NPIC - New Programs and Innovations Committee

MINUTES - Meeting of October 5, 2006


A meeting of NPIC was held on October 5, 2006.  The meeting was called to order at 9:35 AM.  
The following committee members were present:
Deborah Weiss (Chair), Adam Abugri, Greg Cochenet,  Joe Goralski, Tom Fleming, Kathleen Rondinone

The following agenda items were addressed:

I. Notification of New Special Topics Courses - Twelve new Special Topics Courses were presented and logged.  Two courses required further clarification. 

Logged

Course Title - Course Number - Semester to be taught - Times taught
French Impressionism - ART 398 - Spring 2007 - 0
Life in the Ocean - BIO 298 - Spring 2007 - 0
Social Issues in Biology - BIO 398 - Spring 2007 - 0
Intro Bioinformtcs & Syst Bio - BIO 498 - Spring 2007 - 0
History of Late Antiquity - HIS 398 - Spring 2007 - 0
Jewish Economic History - JST 398 (to be cross listed with ECO 398) - Spring 2007 - 2
Television and the Family - MDS 298 - Spring 2007 - 1
Apprchs to International Film - MDS 298 - Spring 2007 - 0
Hidden Agendas - MDS 398 - Spring 2007 - 2
The Illustrated Man - MDS 398 - Spring 2007 - 2
Economics of Organization - MGT 398 (cross-listed with ECO 398) - Spring 2007 - 0
Women/Autonomy/Financial Pwr - WMS 398 - Spring 2007 - 0

Further Information Required 
 
Course Title - Course Number - Semester to be taught - Missing Information
Urban Sociology - URB 398 - Spring 2007 

  • Name of instructor,
  • elective in which program?
    Update as of 10/4/06 - despite 3 phone calls information not provided

Introduction to Column Writing - JRN 298 - Spring 2007 Old form; missing # of times taught

Descriptions of logged courses:

ART 398 - French Imressionism
History of French painting from Realism to Impressionism and Post-Impressionism

BIO 298 - Life in the Ocean
This course presents an introduction to life in  the sea.  Intended audience is non-major students and those seeking a minor in Marine Science.  The course will include both introductory lectures and lab and field exercises. This course covers the physical environment of the oceans and the conditions necessary for marine species to exist; the major marine phyla, or the variety of body plans that have evolved in the sea and how these body plans allow organisms to survive; key marine ecosystems and the impacts of humans on our oceans.

BIO 398 - Social Issues in Biology
The goal of the course is to present biology content through modern social issues related to biological research and preservation.  The course structure and approach will be based on the Science Education for New Civic Engagements and Responsibilities (SENCER) model. 

BIO 498 - Intro Bioinformtcs & Syst Bio
This course will introduce students to bioinformatics principles and practice as they relate to molecular genetics and systems biology.

HIS 398 - History of Late Antiquity
This course will examine the Mediterranean world from 180CE-1000CE.  Major themes will include the fall/transformation of the Roman Empire, the Christianization of the Mediterranean, the transformation of the nature of Romanites and its forms and the interrelationship between traditional Roman Religion and Christianity.

JST 398 - Jewish Economic History (cross-listed with ECO 398)
This course examines the evolution of Jewish civilization, thought and organization from the late Biblical period until now.  It explores the intersections among resource allocation, communal institutions, law and government. 

MDS 298 - Television and the Family
Explores the cultural changes and impact TV has made on the American family including its uses of and attitudes toward television from 1950's to today.  From the Nelsons to the Bunkers, portrayals of the American family are also explored as they represent culturally negotiated meanings of family.

MDS 298 - Apprchs to International Film
Exploration of formal and cultural approaches to international cinema as it is a reflection of, a response to, or a reaction against the conventions of classical Hollywood style and the cultural setting within which it was created.

MDS 398 - Hidden Agendas
This course will expose students to multiple mediated vehicles and examine roles each play in shaping and defining our cultural and political world.

MDS 398 - The Illustrated Man
Explores representations of men in modern mediated contexts including print, television and cinema.  Examines how characteristics of specific media channels contribute to the ways masculinity is depicted and read.

MGT 398 - Economics of Organization (cross-listed with ECO 398)
 Economics of Organization - This course examines the problems encountered in organizing productive activities.  Students will learn about markets as well as forms of internal organization, including firms, professions and nonprofits.  The course also examines coordinating mechanisms such as contracts, asset specificity and profit-sharing plans.

WMS 398 Women/Autonomy/Financial Pwr
Exploration of the historic and current economic position and role of women, examining both accomplishments and constraints.  Personal financial literacy and competency; emphasis on the connection between women's financial autonomy, self-sufficiency, and social change.

II.  Special Topics courses included in course schedule prior to committee review - Deborah Weiss addressed the committee regarding the fact that special topics courses are making their way into the course schedule without receiving prior NPIC approval.  For spring 2007, the majority of the 29 courses in the course schedule did not pass through UCF.  The circumventing of this process was especially distressing to NPIC members who volunteer their time, making every effort to be expedient and insure quality control for the special topics courses.  It was decided that the committee does not have enough information to understand at this point, who is making the decision to include the courses without NPIC approval.  Prior to the next meeting this issue will be investigated.

III. By-Laws - A discussion of by-laws ensued on the first section of the proposed by-laws.  All committee members are asked to present comments in writing prior to the next meeting in order to facilitate discussion.

IV. Special Topics Course Request Form - Tom Fleming presented a draft version of the NPIC course request form which was sent to committee members via email prior to the meeting.  Several changes to the form were suggested.  Tom will modify the form for consideration at the next meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 AM


Respectfully submitted,

Deborah Weiss, Recorder