Date: Fri, 01 Nov 1996 15:37:53 -0500
From: coursonf@cofc.edu (Frances Courson)
Subject: Group 6 Report
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The Group 6 meeting began with the reading of the comments from the
previous session. It was noted that the report listed a suggested change
for goal 6. This was an error. The group proposes that goal 6 remain as
stated, "To develop an appreciation of cultural diversity".
Next, the group suggested ways of meeting the goal of enhanced affective
development. One suggestion was that students take a practical, applied
course in personal health and nutrition. This raised a larger issue as to
the wisdom of adding additional requirements.
Having students attend a required number cultural events outside the
classroom was suggested as a way of facilitating affective development.
Problems with this approach include the fact that there are so many
working and non-traditional students at the College. Students who live far
from campus might experience difficulty in fulfilling such a requirement.
Also, forcing a student to attend an event may do nothing to enhance a
positive attitude.
Another suggestion was the encouragement of more interdisciplinary courses
to fulfill core requirements. With this determined to be an expensive
alternative, the group questioned, "Could affective development be
accomplished within the classroom or is this something to be accomplished
outside of the classroom?"
If the answer to that question is "inside the classroom" and we add a new
requirement, what would we delete? Issues such as the need for additional
faculty and classroom space for new course requirements were raised.
When discussing the addition of a course, the group considered a course
that would be unique to the College of Charleston. The group identified
historic preservation, wet lands conservation, the Gullah culture, the fact
that Charleston is a port city, and the desire to internationalize the
curriculum at the College as things that make Charleston unique. Group
members felt that the "uniqueness factor" should be addressed. This is
being addressed, to some extent, by courses such as South Carolina History
(HIST) and South Carolina Politics (POLS). Historic preservation is
addressed through the Clemson Art History-Architecture Program and wet
lands conservation is discussed in Marine Biology coursework.
At our next meeting, on November 21st at 1:30 in the Faculty House, we will
look at the General Education Program and at the degree to which we are
meeting the College of Charleston's goals.
Frances H. Courson, Ph.D. Work Phone: (803) 953-8048
School of Education Home Phone: (803) 881-4682
College of Charleston School of Education Fax: (803) 953-5407
Charleston, SC 29424 E-Mail: coursonf@ashley.cofc.edu