Frequently Asked Questions
related to the draft proposal issued by the Gen Ed Revision Committee in March 2013.
**********
Q: What is the global cultures and languages course. Is this a single course that covers both or a category or an either/or situation? Is there more than one version of this course possible? Could it be a straight language course or straight world cultures course? Does it count in one or both categories? A: It is one course. One of the committee members is from the modern languages department and this course is in-line with discussions they are having with regard to first-experience language courses. It would cover both categories. Students transferring in language credit would not have to take this course and could satisfy global cultures gen ed (if they chose to) through the themed cluster coursework. ********** Q: Could current Fredonia students still transfer in Gen Ed credits taken in the summer at other institutions, or once they are here are they only allowed to take our courses? A: Yes, students can transfer in gen ed credits just as they do now. ********** Q: Does the implied coverage of gen-ed in the major, eg. natural science for a physics major, also include the hours (3 hours toward the 30)? A: No, it does not. This is what we tried to explain in the draft proposal. They satisfy the gen ed category, but not the hours. This is in-line with SUNY requirements that all students must have 30 credits in gen ed. ********** Q: I find the description of themed courses very confusing. Does the pair of courses cover one of the four subthemes listed for each type, or two subthemes or all four? Are these subthemes all that would be allowed or are they simply examples? Would the enrollments in these courses be limited? A: Each cluster would address one of the 'subthemes.' As explained in the draft proposal, the 'subthemes' are intended to give ideas of topics that could be explored in each theme; they are simply examples. We are not trying to be restrictive but also want to provide enough information that the campus community understands the intent of the themes. Ideally enrollment in themes courses would be restricted to 35-40 students, although such details are still open for discussion. Please understand that, at this point, the committee is trying to gauge perspectives on the basic ideas of the draft proposal. As we are a year out from even voting on it, more or less starting to implement it, there are some aspects that will have to be fleshed out in time. ********** Q: Would it be possible to come up with a cost estimate comparing the proposed new CCC with what we currently offer? A: That is really beyond the scope of this committee, especially at this time in the process. That said, I really think the only costs associated with our proposal are the two positions we are asking to be resurrected; other revisions are really just a matter of re-organizing what we already have and do. *********** |
