Curriculum Approval

1.0    Purpose

This policy establishes guidelines for adding, modifying, deleting, and approving academic degrees, certificates programs, credit courses, and curricula.

2.0    Revision History

3.0    Persons Affected

3.1    Faculty, department chairs, and program directors

3.2    Academic deans

3.3    Vice president for academic affairs (VPAA)

3.4    Academic affairs executive assistant

4.0    Policy

The policy of Casper College is to ensure the following.

4.1    The college provides a means for faculty members to participate substantially in the oversight and development of the college’s academic curriculum.

4.2    The college has a curriculum process that aligns with accreditation standards.

5.0    Definitions

5.1    Curriculum Action. The addition, modification, or deletion of new or existing academic degrees, certificates, courses, or curricula.

5.2    Curriculum Committee. A Faculty Senate committee responsible for vetting proposals to add, modify, or delete academic degrees, certificates, courses, curricula, and general education course requirements.  

5.3    Originator. A faculty member, department chair, or program director who proposes a curriculum action. The originator must be a member of the academic department that will offer and maintain the curriculum action.

5.4    Deans’ Council. A committee comprised of the VPAA and the academic deans that addresses academic matters.

5.5    Academic Year. A fall semester and immediately following spring and summer semesters.

5.6    Enrollment Services. A unit of the college that includes Admissions, Registrar, Records, and Financial Aid.

5.7    Institutional Student Learning Outcomes (SLO). Statements that define the expected knowledge, skills, attitudes, competencies, and habits of mind that students are expected to acquire throughout their education at Casper College.

5.8    General Education Course Requirements. Criteria established by Faculty Senate to apply when considering if a course should be designated as a general education course. These criteria include reasoning and inquiry in science, math computation, communication, human behavior, and cultural environment.

5.8.1    Reasoning and Inquiry in Science. As a result of completing general education courses in this area, students will be able to comprehend and apply the basic principles of science and scientific inquiry methods.

Evaluation Criteria
Comprehension: define central facts, concepts, and theories of the physical universe and understand the mechanics (chemical, physical, biological) of the natural world.

Application: execute laboratory exercises, document and evaluate empirical observations, and implement the scientific method and creative thinking.

Inquiry: exercise critical thinking in evaluation of current science, gather, assess and weigh evidence, and demonstrate the ability to locate, evaluate, and effectively use and cite scientific literature.

5.8.2    Math Computation. As a result of completing general education courses in this area, students will be able to comprehend and use quantitative concepts and methods to interpret and critically evaluate data and effectively problem-solve in a variety of contexts demanding quantitative literacy.

Evaluation Criteria
Comprehension and Application: implement appropriate use of operators and formulas and solve quantitative exercises with mathematical concepts, tools, and methods.

Interpretation and Evaluation: demonstrate logical reasoning, read and communicate using the language of mathematics, and assess nature or importance of quantitative data.

Problem Solving: formulate and implement strategies incorporating math, statistics, logic, and probability and address real-world situations using computational analysis.

5.8.3    Communication. As a result of completing general education courses in this area, students will be able to effectively use the English language, writing and speaking with clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness.

Evaluation Criteria
Clarity: practice proper grammar, mechanics, and formatting, use proper diction and selection of suitable wording, integrate appropriate visual digital elements such as graphs, tables, and charts, and incorporate audience awareness and adaptation.

Coherence: employ appropriate organization and structure for different forms of communication and practice production of delivery that is effective for specific audience or occasion.

Persuasiveness: apply critical and creative thinking through the use of logic, evidence, and appeals, use citation, sources, and documentation, and exhibit the ability to locate, evaluate, and effectively use source materials.

5.8.4    Human Behavior. As a result of completing general education courses in this area, students will have developed a deeper understanding of the relation of self to world through investigation of the influence of social, cultural, economic, and political institutions in shaping human thought, value, and behavior.

Evaluation Criteria
Relation of Self to World: examine human values, ideas, and experiences, analyze human ideas, behavior, influence, and social interactions, investigation of world influences, delineate and examine intersections of social, cultural, economic, and political institutions, explore different forms of self and cultural expression through artifacts, and exhibit ability to locate, evaluate, and effectively use source materials.

Shaping Human Thought, Value, and Behavior: compare different methods and theories to interpret and explain human events and cultures and examine the role of diversity in human societies and its impact on global change.

5.8.5    Cultural Environment. As a result of completing general education courses in the fine arts concentration area, students will have a deeper appreciation and understanding of the creative process, the pleasures and challenges of artistic expression, and the role and value of the fine arts in society and culture.

As a result of completing general education courses in the humanities concentration area, students will have a richer understanding of the human condition through investigation, appreciation, and evaluation of the aesthetic, historical, philosophical, and literary dimensions of human experience.

Evaluation Criteria for Fine Arts Concentration
Artistic Expression: explore, identify, and discuss artistic genres, their pleasures, and their challenges.

Creative Process: practice and assess the creative process and expression through participation as viewers or creators of artistic objects, texts, or performances.

Role and Value: evaluate the role and value of fine arts in culture and society.

Evaluation Criteria for Humanities Concentration (must use a combination of the following criteria)
Aesthetic Dimension: recognize and articulate the aesthetic value of cultural objects thereby developing a deeper appreciation for them.

Historical Dimension: recognize and interpret historical contexts and relevance of cultural objects.

Philosophical Dimension: examine the development of philosophies and their influence on the aesthetics and content of cultural objects.

Literary Dimension: interpret literary ideas and analyze form and structures of texts.

5.8.6    Physical Education
Courses used to satisfy the physical education requirement for graduation must be selected from the following departments or courses: physical education activity (PEAC) and physical education varsity sports (PEAT).

6.0    Responsibilities

6.1    The curriculum committee chair, faculty senate chair, deans, and VPAA are responsible for reviewing and approving curriculum action.

6.2    The VPAA is responsible for maintaining compliance with this policy.

7.0    Procedures

7.1    Course Creation, Modification, or Deletion
The college uses an automated system to manage curriculum actions.

7.1.1    The faculty member submits the proposal to the associated department chair or program director for approval. If approved, the proposal is sent to the associated dean for approval. If the department chair or program director denies approval, the proposal returns to the originator with the option to revise.

7.1.2     Enrollment Services and Institutional Research are sent a notification of the proposed curriculum action through the electronic curriculum system.

7.1.3    The dean reviews the proposal. If approved, the proposal is sent to the associate vice president of academic affairs of student support and learning services (AVPAA). If the dean denies approval, the proposal returns to the originator with the option to revise.

7.1.4    The AVPAA notes any significant impact of the proposal on student support and learning services. After the AVPAA has reviewed the proposal, it is sent to Curriculum Committee for approval.

7.1.5    The Curriculum Committee reviews the proposal. If the proposal contains courses to be considered for general education designation, the committee applies the general education course requirements evaluation criteria. If approved, the proposal is sent to Faculty Senate for approval. If the committee denies approval, the proposal returns to the originator with the option to revise.

7.1.6    Faculty Senate reviews the proposal. If approved, Faculty Senate submits the proposal to Deans’ Council for approval. If Faculty Senate denies approval, the proposal returns to the originator with the option to revise.

7.1.7    If Deans’ Council approves the curriculum action, the action becomes effective once it is published in the Academic Catalog. If Deans’ Council denies approval, the proposal returns to the originator with the option to revise.

Approved curriculum actions take effect once they are published in the Academic Catalog. Curriculum actions approved by December 31 may be published in the following year’s Academic Catalog. Curriculum actions approved after December 31 may not be published until the second academic year following approval. Notification of curriculum actions are sent to Enrollment Services and Institutional Research.

7.2    Degree or Certificate Creation
The college uses an automated system to manage curriculum actions.

7.2.1    The originator submits a completed Wyoming Community College Commission (WCCC) New Degree/Certificate Proposal form to the VPAA. The originator, department chair or program director, dean, VPAA, and Enrollment Services representatives discuss the degree or certificate prior to submitting the proposal.

7.2.2    The originator submits the proposed curriculum action to the associated department chair or program director for approval. If approved, the proposal is sent to the associated dean for approval. If the department chair or program director denies approval, the proposal returns to the originator with the option to revise.

7.2.3    Enrollment Services and Institutional Research and are sent a notification of the proposed curriculum action through the electronic curriculum system.

7.2.4    The dean reviews the proposal. If approved, the proposal is sent to the AVPAA who notes any significant impact on student support and learning services. If there is no such indication or after the AVPAA has reviewed the proposal, it is sent to Curriculum Committee for approval. If the dean denies approval, the proposal returns to the originator with the option to revise.

7.2.5    The Curriculum Committee reviews the proposal. If the proposal contains general education courses, the committee applies the general education course requirements evaluation criteria. If approved, the proposal is sent to Faculty Senate for approval. If the committee denies approval, the proposal returns to the originator with the option to revise.

7.2.6    Faculty Senate reviews the proposal. If approved, Faculty Senate submits the proposal to Deans’ Council for approval. If Faculty Senate denies approval, the proposal returns to the originator with the option to revise.

7.2.7    Deans’ Council reviews the proposal. If approved, the VPAA submits the proposal to the President’s Office for the Board of Trustee’s (BOT) consideration. If Deans’ Council denies approval, the proposal returns to the originator with the option to revise.

7.2.8    The BOT considers the proposal at a regularly scheduled BOT meeting. If approved, the VPAA submits the proposal to the WCCC for their review and approval process. If the BOT denies approval, the proposal returns to the originator with the option to revise.

7.2.9    The WCCC considers the proposal through its review and approval processes. If approved, the WCCC notifies the college. If the WCCC denies approval, the proposal returns to the VPAA who will review options for the proposed degree or certificate with the appropriate dean and department chair or program director.

7.2.10    Approved curriculum actions become available to students once they are published in the Academic Catalog. Curriculum actions approved by December 31 may be published in the following year’s Academic Catalog. Curriculum actions approved after December 31 may not be published until the second academic year following approval. Notification of curriculum actions are sent to Enrollment Services and Institutional Research.

7.3    Modification or Deletion of Existing Academic Degrees or Certificates
The college uses an automated system to manage curriculum actions.

7.3.1    The originator submits the proposed curriculum action to the associated department chair or program director for approval. If approved, the proposal is sent to the associated dean for approval. If the department chair or program director denies approval, the proposal returns to the originator with the option to revise.

7.3.2    Enrollment Services and Institutional Research  are sent a notification of the proposed curriculum action through the electronic curriculum system.

7.3.3    The dean reviews the proposal. If approved and if the proposal indicates a need for student support or learning services, the proposal is sent to the AVPAA who notes any significant impact on student support and learning services. If there is no such indication or after the AVPAA has reviewed the proposal, it is sent to Curriculum Committee for approval. If the dean denies approval, the proposal returns to the originator with the option to revise.

7.3.4    The Curriculum Committee reviews the proposal. If the proposal includes general education courses, the committee applies the general education course requirements evaluation criteria. If approved, the proposal is sent to Faculty Senate for approval. If the committee denies approval, the proposal returns to the originator with the option to revise.

7.3.5    Faculty Senate reviews the proposal. If approved, the proposal is sent to Deans’ Council for approval. If Faculty Senate denies approval, the proposal returns to the originator with the option to revise.

7.3.6    Deans’ Council reviews the proposal. If approved, the proposal goes into the next available Academic Catalog. If Deans’ Council denies approval, the proposal returns to the originator with the option to revise.

7.3.7    In the case of the deletion of an academic degree or certification, the VPAA will notify the BOT at a scheduled board meeting of any deletions. The VPAA will then notify the WCCC of any deleted degrees or certificates.

7.3.8    Approved curriculum actions become available to students once they are published in the Academic Catalog. Curriculum actions approved by December 31 may be published in the following year’s Academic Catalog. Curriculum actions approved after December 31 may not be published until the second academic year following approval. Notification of curriculum actions are sent to Enrollment Services and Institutional Research.