Request for Exploring the Natural World (ENW) Integrated Core Course Approval Cover Sheet

Transcription

1 Request for Exploring the Natural World (ENW) Integrated Core Course Approval Cover Sheet Submit all materials to Karen Connell, Core Administrative Assistant, Date: Instructors: Departments the courses are to be offered in: Semester and Year the courses will be offered: Course numbers and titles: Credit Hours (per course): Bulletin Description for Each Course: Do you believe that this course is also appropriate for the outgoing Core until it ends? If yes, please indicate the Division and/or letter designations * *If you indicated yes, your syllabus will be forwarded to the Director of the outgoing core. Approved: Department Chair: Date Department Chair: Core Sub-committee and Director: Core Committee and Director: Date Date Date 1

2 INTEGRATED COURSES: EXPLORING THE NATURAL WORLD (ENW) Core Application Form It is essential for our students to gain a better understanding of how science impacts everyday life and to bring a scientific knowledge and approach to bear on issues that cross disciplinary boundaries. We believe that a pair of linked integrated courses can promote an understanding of these complex issues by offering full course depth of study with intentional connections to other disciplines. Please consult the course criteria outlined at the Core Curriculum website for more information on the requirements and expectations for ENW courses. The Core Committee may request additional materials in its evaluation of the courses. Please attach a completed cover sheet and relevant course materials, including: course syllabi; reading list(s); example or representative assignments or class activities, (particularly those used for assessing student learning objectives); (4) a rationale for the proposed ENW courses; and (5) the alignment of Student Learning Objectives in each course with the JCU Academic Student Learning Goals (see table below). The course rationale should include: the anticipated audience for the courses (i.e. general student population, students of a particular major(s), science majors, etc.); the disciplines or areas being integrated; the shared theme(s), intellectual question(s), real-world problem(s), or issue(s) the two disciplines will explore, examples of the conceptual connections they share and how the student s understanding of the theme(s), question(s) etc. will be enhanced after completion of the integrated courses; the levels of integration and interdisciplinarity between the two courses and how these will be achieved through course planning and interaction between the instructors and the methods, contents, and pedagogical and mode of delivery of each course; which course(s) will contain an emphasis on quantitative analysis and how that emphasis will be achieved; if necessary, additional narrative beyond that included in each course syllabus of how each course will include a writing component that satisfies the expectation for integrated courses and how the course plans to treat writing as a process by engaging in discipline-specific writing processes. In the table below, please indicate how the learning objectives in this course (derived from the Academic Learning Goals) will be assessed. 2

3 Directions: 1. The first column lists each of the JCU Academic Learning Goals to which ENW courses are expected to contribute. 2. The second column lists the required learning objectives for each ENW course. Note that a clear majority of class time must be spent pursuing the stated JCU academic learning goals for the course to be eligible for Core credit. 3. In the third column, state the means (i.e. formative and summative assignments, class activities, and/or signature assignments) for assessing each of the course student learning outcomes. If those assignments or class activities have not been outlined in the course rationale, then attach separate descriptions. Course 1: JCU Learning Goals to Be Addressed in ENW Courses 1. Demonstrate an integrative knowledge of the human and natural worlds. Relevant Course Student Learning Objectives Students draw conclusions by connecting examples, facts, or theories from more than one field of study or perspective. Means of Assessment for Each Learning Objective (How will students demonstrate having met the learning objectives?) Students apply skills, abilities, theories or methodologies gained in one situation to contribute to their understanding of a problem or issue. 3

4 2. Develop habits of critical analysis. Students will demonstrate competence in quantitative analysis: Students are able to find and pose precise questions that can be appropriately analyzed by quantitative methods. Students can draw inference(s) from data. Students can represent data. Students can think critically about quantitative statements. Students can recognize sources of error. 4

5 Students will demonstrate the ability to think critically about a real-world problem, issue, intellectual question, or idea (critical thinking includes identifying and describing the fundamental elements of a problem/issue/question/idea and interpreting relevant data). 3. Apply creative and innovative thinking. Students can develop approaches to solve problems and/or answer questions 4. Communicate skillfully in multiple forms of expression. Articulate an Argument: The writer locates and develops a manageable topic given audience, purpose, and length requirements and begins to situate the topic in the context of the field. The writer develops and supports an argument appropriate to context, audience, and purpose. 5

6 Integrate Sources: The writer locates, engages with, and integrates credible and relevant sources appropriate to the discipline. Document Ethically: The writer avoids plagiarism and documents sources consistently using a citation style appropriate to the discipline with few formatting errors. Control Surface Features: The writer uses straightforward language that conveys meaning to readers with clarity, with few errors. 6

7 Course 2: JCU Learning Goals to Be Addressed in ENW Courses 1. Demonstrate an integrative knowledge of the human and natural worlds. Relevant Course Student Learning Objectives Students draw conclusions by connecting examples, facts, or theories from more than one field of study or perspective. Means of Assessment for Each Learning Objective (How will students demonstrate having met the learning objectives?) Students apply skills, abilities, theories or methodologies gained in one situation to contribute to their understanding of a problem or issue. 2. Develop habits of critical analysis. Students will demonstrate competence in quantitative analysis: Students are able to find and pose precise questions that can be appropriately analyzed by quantitative methods. 7

8 Students can draw inference(s) from data. Students can represent data. Students can think critically about quantitative statements. Students can recognize sources of error. 8

9 Students will demonstrate the ability to think critically about a real-world problem, issue, intellectual question, or idea (critical thinking includes identifying and describing the fundamental elements of a problem/issue/question/idea and interpreting relevant data). 3. Apply creative and innovative thinking. Students can develop approaches to solve problems and/or answer questions 4. Communicate skillfully in multiple forms of expression. Articulate an Argument: The writer locates and develops a manageable topic given audience, purpose, and length requirements and begins to situate the topic in the context of the field. The writer develops and supports an argument appropriate to context, audience, and purpose. 9

10 Integrate Sources: The writer locates, engages with, and integrates credible and relevant sources appropriate to the discipline. Document Ethically: The writer avoids plagiarism and documents sources consistently using a citation style appropriate to the discipline with few formatting errors. Control Surface Features: The writer uses straightforward language that conveys meaning to readers with clarity, with few errors. 10

11 If necessary, provide additional comments: ENW Integrated Core Course Approval Form October 3,