Curriculum and Assessment Policy Committee (CAPC)

given at the January 28, 2008 University Senate meeting

submitted by Deborah Vess

 

CAPC reviewed three proposals during the last two months and presented them to the University Senate for debate and approval. 

  1. A proposal from the department of History, Geography, and Philosophy to create a non-thesis track within the MA program in history.  The pre-doctoral track would not be altered, but a non-thesis option would be added to the Public History track and a third track within this degree for advanced studies would be created with a non-thesis option.  Admission requirements for the third track were questions during CAPC’s November meeting.  The department originally proposed a 2.6 entrance G.P.A.  CAPC asked the department to review and reconsider this, which they did, elevating the required G.P.A. to 3.0 over the last two years of course work. The BOR has targeted the MA program for review, due to low numbers of graduates. The degree originally did have a non-thesis option, and graduation rates have declined since instituting the thesis requirement, while at the same time the department is producing graduates that are being admitted to very well respected programs.  The University Senate recommended the motion to President Leland unanimously.

  2. A proposal from the Department of Government and Sociology to eliminate the areas of concentrations from the MPA program, based on a recommendation from their accreditation group.  There will be no impact on students.  The University Senate recommended the motion to President Leland unanimously.

  3. A proposal to send to the BOR a letter of intent to reestablish the Physics major/B.S. degree at GCSU.  The Department of Chemistry and Physics has achieved great success in producing graduates who go on to become certified, and there is a grave shortage of physics teachers in Georgia. This program addresses a critical need and the proposal presents compelling data in favor of reinstating the physics major.  The University Senate recommended the motion to President Leland unanimously.