November
13, 2003
12:30
PM to 1:30 PM
Present: Andrew Austin, Harvey Kaye, Andrew Kersten,
Craig Lockard, Kim Nielsen, Lynn Walter
Excused:
Mark Everingham, Tony Galt, Omar Sanchez, Larry Smith
Tony
Galt relayed that his doctor said that he was making fine progress toward a
full recovery and that he ought to be able to return to work in two months.
Kim
Nielsen announced the publication of her new book, The
Radical Lives of Helen Keller (NYU
Press, 2003).
Andrew
Austin announced the publication of a review essay titled “State Capitalism or
Siege Socialism” in Nature, Society, and Thought.
Craig
Lockard announced that his textbook publisher has bought out his time for next
semester so that he can complete work on his world history textbook.
Craig
Lockard announced that Dr. Alfred Kisubi will teach
the African History course.
Craig
Lockard made the following motion which was seconded by Kim Nielsen:
Lynn
Walter will be chair for the 2004 to 2005 academic year, and Andrew Kersten
will be chair from the 2005 to 2006 academic year to
the 2007 to 2008 academic year.
Paper
ballets were distributed. The motion passed 6-0-0.
The
Unit discussed the global studies minor proposal. The faculty present expressed reservations
about the proposal in its current form. In particular, they were concerned by
the way in which the proposal was created. Many felt that not everyone who
teaches courses in global studies was included in the design of this program.
Additionally, members felt that the proposal duplicated the global studies
tract in SCD as well as the international certificate program. Hence, the need
for the program was unclear. Many also felt that parts of the proposal
(particularly the changing of name of the Introduction to Global Studies) were
completely out of the question. Finally, there was a lengthy discussion about
various other qualms that people have with the proposal. Among the qualms are:
·
The
proposed minor does not contain a foreign language requirement.
·
The
proposed minor duplicates courses already on the books.
·
The
proposed minor does not offer any area courses (such as on
·
The
proposed minor does not contain any reference (intellectually or pedagogically)
to international studies.
·
The
proposed minor does not contain any history courses or any historical component
at all.
·
The
proposed minor does not contain any courses dealing with cultural issues.
·
The
proposed minor does not have any analysis about the administrative impact the
minor will have on the units that will support it. What will the program’s
chair be responsible for? What will the participating units be responsible for?
Will there be course releases attached to this program? Who will pay for them?
What are the administrative lines of communication and reporting?
It
was suggested that the unit meet with Dean Carol Blackshire-Belay
to formally express the concerns raised at this meeting. The group assembled
agreed.
Lynn
Walter announced that plans for the SCD display and brochure for the majors
fair are in the works.
Offering
additional courses for the spring are: Omar Sanchez, Barb Crass, Cliff Ganyard, Alfred Kisubi
Lynn
Walter explained that the outside funding brought in by Professors Craig
Lockard and Andrew Kersten had generated some overhead money. The members of
the Unit were then asked to come up with ideas on how to spend this money.
Respectfully
submitted,
Andrew
E. Kersten