Proposal for Changes in the Geography Curriculum:  Renaming Emphases in the Comprehensive Major

 

REPORT FOR THE UNIVERSITY SENATE

 

University Senate Academic Policies Committee

 

Brief History of the Issue

The Geography Department recently worked to reformulate the sequence and selection of required and advanced courses to streamline the curriculum and clarify the areas of study available to students.  As a result, the following changes are proposed to increase clarity about the nature of the comprehensive major:   

 

(a) From Resource Management Emphasis to Environmental Geography

(b) From International Studies Emphasis to International Geography

 

The proposed titles are more accurate.  The department has never taught a course on resource management. 

 

Points Discussed by Committee:

 

Continued availability of courses

Potential for confusion with other programs with an international emphasis

 

Pros:

Titles are clearer and broader in scope

Increased accuracy of descriptions

 

 Cons:

None

 

MOTION FOR THE UNIVERSITY SENATE

 

The University Academic Policies Committee by a vote of 7 votes for and 0 votes against, recommends to the University Senate that the Geography Comprehensive Major Emphases be renamed as follows:  (a) From Resource Management Emphasis to Environmental Geography and (b) From  International Studies Emphasis to International Geography.

 

Implementation Date: On approval

 

Dr. Robert E. Hollon, chair, on behalf of the

University Senate Academic Policies Committee