----- Original Message -----
From: "Mary Sadler" <MSADLER@iup.edu>
To: University Faculty, Staff, and Managers
Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 12:19 PM
Subject: FYI - Liberal Studies Draft proposal on Dec. Senate agenda

Good morning,
This message is an effort to keep all members of the IUP community informed and engaged in the process of revising the Liberal Studies Curriculum.

One of the attached files represents the latest version of the proposed curriculum framework. The second attachment is a document that addresses the rationale for revising the curriculum.

Since it was first introduced to the University community in September, the draft proposal has undergone several revisions. General input from the community was accomplished by a variety of means: a series of LS luncheons, Senate meetings beginning in September, individual and department responses communicated by email, attendance at several department faculty meetings at their request, and meetings with the Academic Vice President and Provost. The LSRSC expresses gratitude for the constructive input provided by the multiple constituencies. In our opinion, the proposal has been enhanced by the contributions of so many.

The attached proposal, along with a rationale for curriculum revision, is on the Senate agenda for the December 5th meeting. The steering committee committed many hours responding to input and concerns; we now believe that the proposal provides sufficient clarity in areas that generated questions in the original draft from September. Following an opportunity for dialogue/debate, we anticipate asking the Senate to endorse the proposal as a "working document." By asking for an endorsement rather than approval as a finished document, the Senate can be assured that revisions to the proposal can be made if this becomes necessary as the next phase takes shape. Senate agreement to this endorsement will afford the Liberal Studies Revision Steering Committee sufficient time to proceed with the next phase that involves recommending credit allotment across the various categories. Since the details of credit distribution are likely to generate the most concern, it is wise to allow adequate time during the spring semester to debate these issues.

Please consider attending the Senate meeting and participating in the discussion; as a Senator, your voice in the process is important. If you are not a Senator, you are welcome and encouraged to attend as an observer. Senate meets on Tuesday December 5th at 3:15 p.m. in Gorell Auditorium, 2nd Floor Sutton Hall.

Please note the following changes in the proposal:

a.. Critical thinking - concepts taught in the Introductory First Year Seminar in addition to its being a competency that is earmarked for across the curriculum.
b.. Oral communication - public speaking added in the Introductory First Year Seminar in addition to its being a competency taught across the curriculum.
c.. Personal, Academic and Social Responsibility - category renamed and more broadly defined; the curriculum anchors - the Introductory First Year Seminar and the Senior Keystone - can be nested in this category as Level I and Level II courses. Senior Keystone is recommended as a major's course or an interdisciplinary course designed by the respective college for majors. Bullets for Level I and Level II were added to show distinction between course expectations at the Freshman and Senior levels. Position changed to Category 1 from Category 6 because of the common first year seminar for all first year students.
d.. Categories 4 (Global & Multicultural Perspectives) & 5 (Intellectual Heritage of Modern Societies) - changes made to more clearly delineate and distinguish the types of learning for each category.
e.. Competencies across the Curriculum (I.Q.W.O.T.E.) - a slight modification that adds an "I" to the acronym referring to information literacy skills.
f.. Footnote added to provide more detail about the term First Year Experience.

In advance, thank you for carefully reviewing the proposed framework. Be assured that the revision process will remain open and transparent and opportunities for input will be provided when the next phase commences.

Liberal Studies Revision Steering Committee:
Mary Sadler, Liberal Studies
Yaw Asamoah, College of Humanities & Social Sciences
Carmy Carranza, Developmental Studies
Muhammad Numan, Physics
Jack Scandrett, Music
Gail Sechrist, Geography & Regional Planning
B. Gail Wilson, Communications Media
Dawn Woodland, Business Technology and Support Training

____________________________________________________________________
Dr. Mary E. Sadler
Director Liberal Studies
Professor, Nursing & Allied Health
110 Gordon Hall
724 357-5715
msadler@iup.edu