NPIC - New Programs and Innovations Committee Sept. 18, 2008

Called to order at 9:45am
Present: G. Cochenet (Chair), G. Adams, K. Burke, J. Cheng, E. Cornwell, Y. del Amo, T. Fleming, J. Manzella, D. Marino

I. Old Business
None

II. New Business
A. Gave a description of NPIC to new and returning members.  Discussed some issues NPIC dealt with last year that remain unresolved.

B. Notification of seven new Special Topic courses were presented and logged.

Course Number  Course Title Semester Times taught
COM 298 Applied Com Design 2 Spring 2009 0
COM 498 Com in Event Planning Spring 2009 0
MDS 298 Approaches to Int'l Film Spring 2009 2
MDS 298 Masculinities in Pop Culture Spring 2009 1
MDS 398 Reading Six Feet Under Spring 2009 1
SPA 498 Gndr & Resistance in Car. Lit Spring 2009 0
SPA 498 Ghosts in Latin American Lit. Spring 2009 0

Description of logged courses

COM 298 - Applied Communication Design II
Examines advanced techniques for creation of communication products, including project workflow, Web-based collaboration, and preparation of multimedia assets for use in print, video, and online contexts.  Emphasizes computer-based development of materials that students will use to construct an online portfolio.

COM 498 - Communication Processes in Event Planning
Examination and application of communication, management, and leadership skills needed through all phases of the event planning process from conception through evaluation.  Emphasis on creating, organizing, promoting, implementing, and evaluation an actual event.  Requires participation in even activities outside of class.

MDS 298 - Approaches 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 298 - Masculinities in Pop Culture
Examines gendered representations of masculinities in popular culture.

MDS 398 - Reading Six Feet Under
Examines the mediated concepts and themes portrayed in HBO's television series, Six Feet Under, including death, bereavement, sexuality, relationships, motherhood, and American cultural politics.

SPA 498 - Gender & Resistance in Caribbean Literature
This course will study the representation of gender in contemporary Hispanic Caribbean literature (Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Dominican Republic).  Students will examine the ways in which Caribbean authors challenge or perpetuate traditional notions of gender.  The literary works will be complemented with contemporary films and theoretical essays and will be studied within the specific historical and socio-cultural contexts in which they were produced.

SPA 498 - Ghosts in Latin American Literature
What are the circumstances that have motivated twentieth century Spanish-American literati to populate their texts with ghostly presences and to portray a haunted Latin America?  In a class designed to provide analytical depth in literary and cultural study thought primary sources and theoretical material, we will answer this question as we study Latin America's literary specters.

Meeting adjourned at 10:30am.

Respectfully submitted by:

Greg Cochenet