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, written communication, oral communication, humanities, fine arts, social science, US and Wyoming constitutions, and health and wellness.

5.8.1    Reasoning and Inquiry in Science (SCI)

(4CR) 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. General Education courses that fulfill this requirement ask students to do five (5) of the following:

 Define discipline-specific central facts, concepts, ethics, and theories.

 Utilize the principles of the scientific method.

 Formulate and test ideas through analysis and interpretation of the data.

 Recognize the proper use of scientific data, principles, and theories to assess the quality of stated conclusions.

 Use scientific and quantitative logic to examine contemporary problems.

 Use critical thinking skills to evaluate information and make informed decisions and evaluations.

5.8.2    Math Computation (MATH)

(3CR) As a result of completing general education courses in this area, students will 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. General Education courses that fulfill this requirement ask students to do five (5) of the following:

 Solve quantitative exercises with mathematical concepts, tools, and methods.

 Express quantitative information symbolically, graphically, and in written or oral language.

 Use appropriate strategies/procedures to solve mathematical problems and to interpret, analyze, and critique information.

 Recognize, evaluate, and use quantitative information, quantitative reasoning, and technology to support a position or line of reasoning.

 Design and follow a multi-step mathematical process through to a logical conclusion and critically evaluate the reasonableness of the result.

 Use critical thinking skills to evaluate information and make informed decisions and evaluations.

5.8.3    Written Communication (COM1)

(3CR) (6CR for A.A.) As a result of completing general education courses in this area, students will effectively use the written English language with clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness. General Education courses that fulfill this requirement ask students to do five (5) of the following:

 Read, interpret, and communicate key concepts in writing and rhetoric.

 Demonstrate proper spelling, grammar, organization, mechanics, and word choice appropriate to the writing task.

 Conduct research that explores multiple and diverse ideas and perspectives, appropriate to the rhetorical context and document source materials.

 Use flexible writing process strategies to generate, develop, revise, proofread, and edit texts

 Use rhetorically appropriate strategies to evaluate, represent, and respond to the ideas and research of others.

 Use critical thinking skills to evaluate information and make informed decisions and evaluations.

5.8.4 Oral Communication (COM2)

(3CR) As a result of completing general education courses in this area, students will effectively use the oral English language with clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness. General Education courses that fulfill this requirement ask students to do five (5) of the following:

 Research, discover, and develop information resources to develop a central message and supporting details.

 Research, discover, and develop information resources to structure spoken messages to increase knowledge and understanding.

 Organize content for a particular audience, occasion, and purpose, and use technology as appropriate

 Monitor and adjust for audience feedback.

 Listen in order to effectively and critically evaluate the reasoning, evidence, and communication strategies of self and others.

 Use critical thinking skills to evaluate information and make informed decisions and evaluations.

5.8.5    Humanities (HU) 

(3CR) As a result of completing general education courses in this area, students will be able to define and apply knowledge of changing human cultures. General Education courses that fulfill this requirement ask students to do five (5) of the following:

Analyze, evaluate, and interpret ideas, theories, texts, objects, and/or events in their cultural context.

 Assess structural elements (race, gender, religion, class, language, etc.) and how they influence societies, human behavior, and human social interactions.

 Identify and describe discipline-specific methodologies, approaches, and/or traditions.

 Examine the role of diversity in human societies and how diversity impacts global change.

 Demonstrate self-reflection and widened perspectives.

 Use critical thinking skills to evaluate information and make informed decisions and evaluations.

5.8.6    Social Science (SSC)

(3CR) As a result of completing general education courses in this area, students will develop a deeper understanding of the relation of self to the world by investigating the influence of social, cultural, economic, and/or political institutions in shaping human thought, value, and behavior. General Education courses that fulfill this requirement ask students to do five (5) of the following:

Use Social Science concepts, theories, and vocabulary to examine social phenomena and human activity.

 Examine the role of individuals and institutions within the context of society.

 Examine the ways individuals, groups, and institutions shape and are shaped by social phenomena past and present.

 Evaluate the ways in which social phenomena inform individual, group, civic, and/or global decision-making.

 Examine intersections of social, cultural, economic, and political institutions.

 Use critical thinking skills to evaluate information and make informed decisions and evaluations.

5.8.7 Fine Arts (FA)

(3CR) As a result of completing general education courses in this area, students will develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of the Fine Arts through the study of literary, performing, and/or visual arts, employing fundamental discipline-specific principles, terminology, skills, technology, and methods. General Education courses that fulfill this requirement ask students to do five (5) of the following:

Recognize and describe artistic works within problems and patterns of human experience. 

Demonstrate knowledge of the value of fine arts in culture and society.

Engage in a creative process through experimentation, reflection, tolerance for failure, and revision.

Distinguish and apply methodologies, approaches, or traditions specific to the discipline.

Practice and assess the creative process and expression through participation as viewers or creators of artistic objects, texts, or performances.

Utilize critical skills to evaluate information and make informed decisions and evaluations.

5.8.8 US and Wyoming Constitutions (CNST)

(3CR) As a result of completing general education in this area, students will be able to understand the historical development, principles, and processes of the structures of the political systems. General education courses that fulfill this requirement will need to meet three out of three (3) of the outcomes and the required critical thinking outcome.

Examine the formal and informal principles, processes, and structures of the U.S. and Wyoming constitutions and political systems.

Analyze the historical development and cultural context of these constitutions and political systems.

Evaluate the roles of responsible citizens and the institutions by which they are governed.

Required: How will students use critical thinking skills to evaluate information and make informed decisions and evaluations in this course?

5.8.9    Health and Wellness (HW) 

(1CR) General Education courses that fulfill this requirement ask students to do five (5) of the following:

Demonstrate competency in motor skills and movement patterns.

Apply knowledge of concepts, principles, strategies, and tactics to movement and performance.

Demonstrate knowledge and skills to achieve and maintain physical fitness and physical activity.

Demonstrate responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others.

Recognize the value of physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and social interaction.

Use critical thinking skills to evaluate information and make informed decisions and evaluations.

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    In conjunction with the VPAA and Faculty Senate, Curriculum Committee manages the review and approval procedures for  all curriculum changes for courses and programs (less than 25% change).

7.2    The college uses Curriculog, an automated system, to manage curriculum actions.