1. Curriculum refresh: Implications for course approvals
Refreshing and reinterpreting the curriculum in the light of the Strategic Plan
Curriculum refresh: Implications for course approvals
May/June 2016

2. Consideration of the role of the DAG (and of the SASQC)
Refreshing and reinterpreting the curriculum in the light of the Strategic Plan
Reminder of what curriculum refresh is all about, and how we’re approaching approval of course changes
Consideration of the role of the DAG (and of the SASQC)
Questions, concerns, ideas…
20 November 2018

3. 1 2 3 Process Consideration of Curriculum Refresh framework
Refreshing and reinterpreting the curriculum in the light of the Strategic Plan
Process
Course team
Consideration of Curriculum Refresh framework
Mapping exercise
Periodic Course Review (PCR) 1
Course CR Roadmap
Course Development Plan
Dean 2
Course CR Roadmap signed off
Publication of Roadmap
Students enrol on revised course
2018/19 (in the main) 3
Approval of changes
SASQC
DAG
Note: where course changes are coming forward because of other drivers, then the CR expectations need to be addressed before students enrol.
20 November 2018

4. Refreshing and reinterpreting the curriculum in the light of the Strategic Plan
Routes to approval
Route 1: Modification (same as current ‘modification’ category)
Route 2: Significant modification
More extensive module-level changes
SASQC approval with additional non-School member
External specialist written commentary
Route 3: Thematic change
Changes related to a particular aspect(s) of the course in order to align with the strategic plan
Thematic DAG
External discipline-specialist written commentary
Route 4: Major revision (same as current ‘major change’ category)
Route 5: New course (same as current new course category)
With revised documentation requirements (in development)
20 November 2018

5. Documentation requirements new requirements in bold
Refreshing and reinterpreting the curriculum in the light of the Strategic Plan
Documentation requirements new requirements in bold
Routes
Requirements
For all routes:
Course Change Form
Revised/new module specifications
Amended course specification (where appropriate)
Updated curriculum map/ assessment schedule
Curriculum Refresh Course Road-Map (approved and signed by Dean or senior nominee)
And for routes 2 and 3:
External expert (subject specialist) written commentary
And for route 5:
Rationale for new course
Course operational manual
20 November 2018

6. Your role: As ‘traditional’ DAG chair or member (routes 4 & 5)
Refreshing and reinterpreting the curriculum in the light of the Strategic Plan
Your role: As ‘traditional’ DAG chair or member (routes 4 & 5)
Just the same as now
Remember: you are not making a judgement about whether the course is curriculum-refreshed enough
20 November 2018

7. Your role: As thematic DAG chair or member (route 3)
Refreshing and reinterpreting the curriculum in the light of the Strategic Plan
Your role: As thematic DAG chair or member (route 3)
Rather the same as now
Several courses (across disciplines/Schools)
External ‘theme’ specialist
Written discipline expert commentaries to consider
Remember: you are not making a judgement about whether the course is curriculum-refreshed enough
20 November 2018

8. Refreshing and reinterpreting the curriculum in the light of the Strategic Plan
Your role: As non-School member for significant modifications (route 2)
Attendance at the SASQC at which the modifications are being considered
Schools may operate these in different ways
Written commentary from discipline expert to consider
Remember: you are not making a judgement about whether the course is curriculum-refreshed enough
20 November 2018

9. Considerations of DAG approval
standards of award
quality of learning opportunities
cohesiveness of course
stakeholder engagement and currency
learning, teaching and assessment
shared understanding amongst team
appropriateness of specification
NTU graduate/postgraduate attributes
Approval assumes strategic and business fit
Approval is a threshold judgment
20 November 2018

10. Conditions
Conditions express the essential minimum requirements that the University expects in order for the course to be allowed to operate. Conditions should only be imposed where course approval could not otherwise be granted. The course is not approved until they have been met and students will not be enrolled.
Typically ….
Describe actions that need to be put into place to ensure an appropriate student experience which will enable students to achieve the appropriate standards.
Refer to aspects of the course or module specifications (or associated documents) which require ‘technical’ correction or further drafting.
There should be no condition made that refers to the extent to which the course has considered the Curriculum Refresh framework.
20 November 2018

11. Be aware….
A DAG does not have the authority to approve a different course title. A good approval meeting does not mean that there can’t be conditions set. The time-frame for meeting the conditions (and mechanism for consideration of the response) needs to be agreed at the DAG approval event. Lots of conditions may mean it would be better not to approve at this stage.
20 November 2018

12. Refreshing and reinterpreting the curriculum in the light of the Strategic Plan
Further information
CADQ webpages (Microsite for ideas and support to follow)
Curriculum Refresh Framework
Frequently Asked Questions
Amendment to course approval process May 2016
CR course Roadmap
20 November 2018