Seminar Policy (7.14) AGC – October 2016

Presentation Outline Questions/Concerns Expressed from Table Discussions (9/13/2016) Initial Proposed Policy Statement New Proposed Policy Statement

Questions/Concerns Expressed from Table Discussions Concern: How many times can a student take a Seminar for credit? Clarification: The number of times a student can take a course for credit will be established the Repeat Courses policy that is coming to AGC. Concern: It is unclear how many times a seminar can run. Clarification: There is no maximum number of times that a Seminar can run, instead a review is necessary after the Seminar has run three times.

Questions/Concerns Expressed from Table Discussions Question: How are Seminar Courses transcribed? Answer: Name of Seminar topic will appear on the transcript Question: Should we be offering Seminar courses if they are not transferable? Answer: This is an established Course Format at GRCC. An issue paper would have to be brought forward to request the discontinuation of this Course Format. Question: How do Seminar Courses fit into programs? Answer: They are elective courses.

Questions/Concerns Expressed from Table Discussions Concern(s): Language is a bit unclear/wordy, the minimum cap should not be found in this policy. Solution: Definition for the “Course Format” will be moved to the Curriculum Model and/or Course Format policies, as deemed appropriate. The language for this policy will be limited to the “seminar” that faculty will propose to teach.

Initial Proposed Policy Statement Seminar courses employ instructional methods that work best among a small group of learners, such as, but not limited to, intensive discussion, reading primary literature, individual or group presentations, and/or learning special laboratory-based skills.  Seminar courses are variable credit offerings. The credit hour allocation for each seminar topic is established by the instructor in the seminar topic proposal. Given the nature of seminars, the minimum class size is one student and the maximum class size is 15 students. Professors may grant permission for class size to be increased above the 15 student limit.   A seminar focuses on a specific area of enrichment and/or curricular interest and need that is not regularly offered by a department. Seminar proposals are submitted by the instructor to the Department Head and Associate Dean for approval.  After a specific seminar has run three times, it is benchmarked and reviewed in tandem by the faculty member, department head and associate dean in order to evaluate if it should be developed as a regular course offering or remain as a seminar. Seminars that are not developed as a new course may continue to be offered as a seminar, and are subject to evaluation on the same schedule.

Initial Proposed Policy Statement, etc. Definitions Seminar Course- Course listed in PeopleSoft and the catalog Seminar - The specific area of enrichment and/or curricular interest as defined by the faculty member

New Proposed Policy Statement A seminar focuses on a specific area of enrichment and/or curricular interest and need that is not regularly offered by a department. Seminar proposals are submitted by the instructor to the Department Head and Associate Dean for approval.  After a specific seminar has run three times, it is benchmarked and reviewed in tandem by the faculty member, department head and associate dean in order to evaluate if it should be developed as a regular course offering or remain as a seminar. Seminars that are not developed as a new course may continue to be offered as a seminar, and are subject to evaluation on the same schedule.

Feedback from Department By November 1st, 2016 Send directly to kdaniels@grcc.edu Thank you!