Minutes - 9/27/07 Critical Thinking Steering Committee

Present: Blessing, Estes, Johnson, Heider, Okapal, Hiley, Wines, Ellis, Gorcica, Wann, Benz, Kibirige, Adkins, Godrey, Davis, Walton

* At 7:35 Deans Johns and Estes called the meeting to order.

* Notes from the 19 September Critical Thinking Steering Committee were reviewed and amended. Amendments: 3. Consensus was that the requirement of COL 101/1551 at this time is premature; often the comment was heard that we are a "year premature." The consequence was dropping item #4 from the COL 101 proposal that requires COL 101/151. This also eliminated the Testout.

This should now read, 3. Consensus was that the requirement of COL 101/151 should be re-evaluated in one year. The consequence was dropping item #4 from the COL 101 proposal that requires COL 101/151. This also eliminated the Testout.

Discussion on Item 6: "6. There was discussion regarding the relationship of COL 101/151 and an ACT of 19. That requirement may now be moot." The pre-requisite of COL 151 is an ACT of 19. No action needs to be taken on this item.

* It was affirmed that COL 201 will be renumbered as COL 151, and the content will be Critical Thinking.

* It was affirmed that COL 101 and COL 151 are not required courses.

* After some discussion the steering committee was polled on the proposed changes to the COL 101/151 course proposal now before the UGCC: the steering committee supported the revised proposal of COL 101/151 with critical thinking content; these courses are not required; the vote was 8 faculty for the course as revised/ 2 faculty did not support the course proposal as revised.

* It was suggested by Jim Okapal that the newly revised course proposal be made on the "O" drive, and all agreed this is a good idea; the old proposal should remain there (and be identified as such) for historical purposes.

* Then followed a discussion of the guidelines for Learning Communities. Consensus of the steering committee was to support COL 101/151 as parts of a Learning Community. The onus is on departments to advise students into either Learning Communities or linked courses. There was consensus in support of the three page DRAFT on "Guidelines for Learning Communities, COL 101, COL 151."

Discussion ensued on the Critical Thinking Strategic Plan, part of the Enhancing Academic Quality. Steve's notes indicate:

2.2.1 - 2.2.6 - OK

2.2.7 strikeout after "thinking."

2.2.11 modfied

2.2.14 skip for now. Brenda, Steve, Martin, and Cindy should study. Suggested to delete, "2.2.14 Revise the annual faculty evaluation process to emphasize participation and contributions to critical thinking, education and academic achievement, knowledge and practice, and regional service."

2.2.15 remove "all." Add 151

2.2.16 substitute "courses" and "the major."

* The November workshop was discussed. Questions were asked about how much departments would get to meet. The sense of the meeting (but this was not voted on nor was consensus asked for) was that departments would meet more than they did in the August meeting. Martin indicated he would contact Nosich to discuss this idea.

* It was agreed that participation in the November workshop should be treated like a conference attendance. It should be listed as a presentation in the Vita and annual report.

* There was consensus that the November workshop should be evaluated.

* It was agreed that we would get amended documents and minutes back to the Steering Committee before the next meeting.

>>> Barbara Davis 09/27/07 11:03 AM >>>

All changes, discussed in this morning's meeting, to Objective 2.1 (which was 2.2) of the Strategic Plan. Dr. Johnson made one additional change to the objective:

On 2.1.12, 2.1.16 and 2.1.20 addition- ...and other selected first year courses....

Dr. Johnson made this change so as to include such courses as LAW 100, etc.

The updated curriculum proposal has also been done. It is on the "o" drive under Primary Proposal 2-LAS. I am also notifying Dr. Steve Lorimor that this has been done and asking for his assistance with notification.

Dr. Johnson will be back in the office Monday; he will be gone the rest of next week. If you have comments or questions concerning the above, please contact him on Monday.

Dr. Heider: The changes noted above on 2.1.12, 2.1.16 and 2.1.20 were made after I sent the memo to you earlier.

Barb

Barbara J. Davis

Administrative Coordinator

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Missouri Western State University

Popplewell Hall 211

816-271-4510