New proposal still raises requirements concerns, some say
Some faculty are uncertain how to work leadership and citizenship into a new core curriculum.
By Amy Johnson
Staff Reporter

About 30 faculty members gathered Tuesday to catch their first glimpse of the core curriculum committee’s draft proposal and voice concerns.

Some faculty expressed concern that the proposed core will exclude any foreign language, history or economic requirements and that the course requirement for leadership and citizenship issues will be difficult to work into the curriculum.

“I am concerned that students will come out of a western university into a market economy and have no knowledge of these subjects,” said Arnold Barkman, an associate professor of accounting.

Members of the core committee say a three-hour historical focus course will fulfill the requirement.

The draft requires 27 hours in courses designed to examine the intellectual progress of humanity and will include the humanities, fine arts and social and natural sciences; 12 hours to develop competence in written and oral communication and math; and 15 hours in components derived from the university’s mission, vision and values statements.

The biggest change is the concept of an overlay model in which students can receive double or possibly triple credits for a single class, said Nowell Donovan, a core curriculum committee member and geology professor. He said the model allows more flexibility for faculty and students.

After hearing faculty response, Andy Fort, assistant secretary of the Faculty Senate, said the final proposal, based on this model, might be the solution.

“I’m so thrilled,” he said. “If we’re talking about tweaking, then we’ve overcome tremendous hurdles.”

Shannon Shipp, a member of the drafting committee, said the meeting was productive and faculty seemed to accept the overall concept of the proposal.

Gregg Franzwa, chairman of the philosophy department and core committee member, asked faculty for feedback concerning the leadership and citizenship issues requirement that has been added to the core. The committee is currently ambiguous as to how the requirement should be worked into the curriculum, he said.

Carolyn Spence Cagle, an associate professor in the Harris School of Nursing, said she does not want to put leadership on the back burner.

“It’s in the mission statement,” she said. “It’s pretty applicable in all departments.”

Donovan said the proposed core curriculum will have three components: the human experiences and endeavors component; the essential competencies component; and the mission, vision and values component.

Members of the committee emphasized that the proposal is a work in progress and that they welcome and expect further suggestion and comments.

The open meeting for students is planned for 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Dan Rogers Hall, Room 134.

a.m.johnson2@tcu.edu