Three-hour faculty meeting leads to curriculum change
Committee motion for 2-2-2 distribution requirements passes, reduces requirements
By: Christine DiGangi
Issue date: 12/7/09 Section: News
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It wasn't easy, but after a nearly three-hour debate, the faculty adopted the 2-2-2 model for DePauw's new curriculum.
The proposal, drafted by the committee on the Management of Academic Operations, reduces the distribution requirements from the current six groups to three disciplines: arts and humanities; science and mathematics; and social science. It is based on the proposal created by the Summer Working Group, a team of nine faculty who drafted a report on intellectual life discussions this summer. Students need to complete two courses in each discipline to fulfill the requirements.
"We know not everyone's in favor of it, but we're going to work with it," said Harry Brown, chair of the committee. "It's our system now."
The meeting's atmosphere was like that of a class lecture in which these professors were not the sole authority. Some seemed indifferent, grading students' papers. Others took notes on the discussion, waiting to speak their turn. A few tore and folded their ballots as they waited to use them.
And they did. The meeting started at 4 p.m., and before it ended at 7:08 p.m., the faculty voted on seven motions, either amending or taking action against the 2-2-2 proposal.
The number of ballots dwindled with each motion, as faculty members were already wearing coats and hats, standing at the exits when Dave Berque, chair of the faculty announced the final vote on 2-2-2. The motion carried with 78 in favor and 37 opposed.
"Even faculty that opposed the motion said this was the best discussion we've had on these matters in a long time," Brown said.
Arriving at the new system was quite a roller coaster. For the first hour and 20 minutes of the meeting, the faculty debated the worth of the 2-2-2 versus the Six Experiences model, a substitute motion which would require students to take one class in each experience: natural science; logical reasoning; society and culture; art and literature; historical and philosophical; and creative. After denying the Six Experiences, 58-74, the faculty began another hour of discussion full of even more suggestions.
There was a motion to move to no distribution requirements. When that discussion became heated, someone entertained the thought of postponing the motion - at that idea, a child in the room coincidentally cried, allowing laughter to momentarily break the tension. Both motions were rejected, but they posed controversial questions and sparked lively, passionate debate.
Faculty had various qualms with the proposed changes: students shouldn't have requirements to check off a list, yet they won't explore unless they are told. Advisers should dedicate more time to students to ensure breadth in education, but time may not allow advisers to do so.
"As soon as they get their SPAC (special permission access code), they walk out the door, and we have no control over what courses they take," said Melanie Finney, communication and theatre professor, during the debate. "I think it's naive to say students will take our advice."
For those who sought an open model with no requirements, the 2-2-2 was marketed as a compromise between restriction and freedom.
"2-2-2 is purposefully indeterminate," said Anne Harris, art professor and member of the Summer Working Group. "It's going to call for more critical thinking as [students] approach their course work."
A decrease of requirements generated some of the greatest concern for professors who thought students would avoid certain courses, and the discussion addressed whether that was an issue when trying to administer the liberal arts experience.
"Anything besides the [open] model could be considered a checklist," said David Guinee, classical studies professor. "There's always a way to avoid things you don't want to take."
Some students will skirt courses the standing curriculum requires, and current students will choose which requirements to follow when the 2-2-2 becomes effective next fall. Junior Colin Hertel's initial reaction to the decision was, "So, I don't have to take a Group 1 lab?"
Hertel, a double major, said he thinks the change is positive, less pressured and will open up classes for students who are interested in the subject. His fellow junior, Ross Simpson, agrees, and both students said they thought certain courses could be neglected.
"I think people are going to avoid P.E. classes at all costs," Simpson said.
After a stressful registration period, sophomore Susan Taylor said she's relieved to have less requirements.
"I can focus on classes I want to take," Taylor said.
Other students said they were pleased with the reduction in requirements. Though it took a while to get there, this motion marks the first of many planned to improve intellectual life at DePauw.
"I had predicted two hours," Brown said about the length of the meeting. "When you make a big change, big debate is necessary."
The New Curriculum
Students will take two course credits in these three areas of study and attain a second-semester ability in a language other than English.* Courses used to fulfill the distribution requirements must be in different departments.
Arts and Humanities
Theses courses explore fundamental questions of experience, belief and expression. Through critical observation, textual analysis and creative engagement, the consider the realms recalled or imagined in the arts, history, literature, philosophy and religion.
Science and Mathematics
These courses explore the physical, mechanical and quantitative working of numbers, matter and life. Through observation, experimentation and scientific and mathematical reasoning, they seek to comprehend the world and model its operations.
Social Science
These courses explore cultural, economic, political and social questions. Through observational, comparative and analytic methods, they seek to understand human identities and interactions at the personal, local and global levels.
*An amendment to the foreign language requirement was proposed and will go before the faculty in February's faculty meeting.
Source: December Faculty Meeting Agenda
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