4 October - Implementation of the new Core Curriculum

Dear Colleagues:

On behalf of the Core Committee and the Division of Core and Integrative Studies, this communication is intended to answer some of the questions concerning the implementation of our new Core Curriculum, Becoming Responsibly Engaged in the World.

1. Exploration courses will be approved by the Core Committee as courses not sections. Multiple- section Exploration course applications should be submitted by departments not by an individual instructor. It is intended that the proposal will reflect the departmental expectations, which should then be incorporated by the individual instructors offering sections of that course.
2. Exploration course applications (the Short Form) will be screened three times: initially by departments for staffing and departmental viability, secondly by the core area Working Group for compliance with the area criteria and learning goals, and finally by the Core Committee for comportment with the Learning Goals for the Liberal Arts. This first time through will also be a training experience for the Core Committee as we learn to understand the course proposals approved by the Working Groups in the core areas, and how they (the Working Group) understand the courses to meet those expectations.
3. The Core Committee members stand ready to advise departments and applicants concerning implementation procedures. Please address any questions you may have to your area designee:

   - Core Area A, Natural Sciences and Mathematics: Doug Anderson

   - Core Area B, Social Sciences: Lisa Sethre-Hofstad

   - Core Area C, Arts and Humanities: Affi Ingberg

   - Core Area D, World Languages: Madelyn Burchill

4. 300 level Exploration course applications for 2007 will be screened as time permits. As indicated, the first priority is for Fall semester 2007 and the courses that freshmen will need in that first semester. Priority will be given to 100 level applications.
5. Criteria, procedural information, and application forms for U.S. and Global Perspectives courses will be available as soon as the criteria are finalized.
6. First year students entering in 2006 matriculated under the requirements of the current curriculum with the adjustment of the expectations of the First Year Experience. All subsequent classes will matriculate under the new curriculum, Becoming Responsibly Engaged in the World.
7. Core committee minutes, Core Area Documents, and application forms are available on the Core Committee website.

All the best,

Gregg Muilenburg Division Chair Core and Integrative Studies

4 October - Fye update

Dear Colleagues:

The First Year Experience will try some new things for 2007 in an attempt to better inform prospective students and build even greater enthusiasm for the program. I am hoping to supplement the course description flyer with a DVD and an improved website. I need your help in this venture. Please consider doing a 5 minute video promotional spot for your Inquiry Seminar (I.S. and linked course, would be even better) describing your course and, more importantly, why you are passionate about its subject matter. Ideally, this would be predominantly a voice over some visuals that relate to your course and represent your subject matter. The TV Services people are anxious to help you in this matter. Please call them (4202) for a one hour appointment sometime before December 15th. Also, if you plan any course activities (field trips, guest lecturers, venue changes etc.) that you judge to be "out of the ordinary" and of promotional value for the program, please consider letting the TV Services people film them for the DVD.

I realize that this is a good deal to ask of you in a busy semester but I hope you will find the time to participate.

All the best, Gregg Muilenburg

3 October - Sabbatical Applications

To: Faculty

From: Professional Growth Committee

Sabbatical applications are currently being accepted. The application form is available on the Academic Affairs website at http://www4.cord.edu/acadAffairs/forms/Default.asp. Applications are due in the Dean's Office on October 24th.

2 October - New Masters Degree

Colleagues,

At their weekend meeting, the Board of Regents authorized pursuing a Masters in Education program in Language Education. This degree will be targeted for teachers in the K-12 system who are licensed teachers interested in pursuing a masters degree to improve their classroom teaching. The conceptual design of this program has students taking courses at the Concordia Language Villages during the summer, take on- line courses taught by Concordia faculty during the academic year, followed by more courses at CLV during the subsequent summer. This course sequence would be followed by a thesis/major project process during the following academic year.

The actual program design and course offerings will need to be approved by the Graduate Studies Committee and so a task force has been developed to identify the faculty to teach in this program and develop the infrastructure to register and instruct the students. Further, we will pursue approval from the Higher Learning Commission to offer the program.

This new graduate initiative works from Concordia's strengths and will play off of the national reputation of the Language Villages. More information will be shared as we seek faculty to divert some of their teaching load to this new program.

Mark J. Krejci, Ph.D. Dean of the College & Vice President for Academic Affairs

2 October - Scholarship opportunity for our students

Dear Colleagues,

I would like to draw your attention to a local scholarship opportunity for our students.

The Governor George Sinner Public Policy Symposium, in collaboration with the Tri-College University are inviting students to write an essay about how they can impact substance abuse through their actions. The top three finalists from each campus will be asked to make an oral presentation to the Synergy on the Plains Board Members. A finalist will be chosen from each campus and asked to present at the 3rd annual Governor George Sinner Public Policy Symposium on November 28. Please see the attached document for complete details.

If you have additional questions please contact:

James Coomber, 299.3813, coomber@cord.edu

Rebecca Amundsen, 299.4211, amundsen@cord.edu

Paul Wraalstad, 299.4267, wraalsta@cord.edu

Please note the deadline for this competition is quickly approaching. Students must submit their essay by October 24, 2006 for consideration.

Thank you for extending this information to your students.

Sincerely,

James Coomber, Ph.D. English Department Division Chair for Literature, Languages and Cultures