Potter College of Arts & Letters
Western Kentucky University
745-2345

REPORT TO THE UNIVERSITY CURRICULUM COMMITTEE

Date:	October 25, 2007	

The Potter College of Arts & Letters submits the following items for consideration:

I.	New Business
Type of Item	Department	Description of Item & Contact Information	
Action	English	Multiple Revisions to a Course
ENG 301 Intermediate Composition
Contact: Joe Hardin
Joe.Hardin@wku.edu
x 54650	
Action	English	Multiple Revisions to a Course
ENG 412 History of Rhetoric
Contact: Joe Hardin
Joe.Hardin@wku.edu
x 54650	
Action	Philosophy & Religious Studies	Create Course
RELS 403 Postcolonial Christianity
Contact: Isabel Mukonyora
Bella.Mukonyora@wku.edu
x 55754	
Action	English	Revise Program
662L English Literature
Contact: Karen Schneider
Karen.Schneider@wku.edu
x 53046	
Action	English	Revise Program
662W English Literature
Contact: Karen Schneider
Karen.Schneider@wku.edu
x 53046	

						Proposal Date: 9/24/2007

Potter College of Arts and Letters
Department of English
Proposal to Make Multiple Revisions to a Course
(Action Item)

Contact Person:  Joe M. Hardin, joe.hardin@wku.edu, 5-4650

1.	Identification of course:
1.1	Current course prefix (subject area) and number: ENG 301  
1.2	Course title: Intermediate Composition
1.3	Credit hours:  3 hours

2.	Revise course title:
	2.1	Current course title:  Intermediate Composition
	2.2	Proposed course title:  Argument and Analysis in Written Discourse
	2.3	Proposed abbreviated title: Argument and Analysis
	2.4	Rationale for revision of course title:  Course title more accurately reflects course content and 			provides more description.

3.	Revise course number:
	3.1	Current course number: NA
	3.2	Proposed course number: NA
	3.3	Rationale for revision of course number: NA

4.	Revise course prerequisites/corequisites/special requirements:
	4.1	Current prerequisites/corequisites/special requirements: NA
	4.2	Proposed prerequisites/corequisites/special requirements: NA
4.3	Rationale for revision of course prerequisites/corequisites/special requirements: NA
4.4	Effect on completion of major/minor sequence: NA

5.	Revise course catalog listing:
	5.1	Current course catalog listing: For general students seeking to improve their writing or students 			preparing for professional or graduate schools.  Major attention to how ideas and audience 			determine purpose, form, and content of writing.
	5.2	Proposed course catalog listing:  A survey of major theories of argument and analysis with special 			attention to writing effective argumentative and analytical essays.
	5.3	Rationale for revision of course catalog listing:  New listing is more descriptive and more 			accurately reflects actual course content.

6.	Revise course credit hours:
6.1	Current course credit hours: NA
6.2	Proposed course credit hours: NA
6.3	Rationale for revision of course credit hours: NA

7.	Proposed term for implementation:  Fall 2008

8.	Dates of prior committee approvals:

	English Department				9-27-07
	
	PCAL Curriculum Committee			10-25-07

	University Curriculum Committee		___________________

	University Senate				___________________

Attachment:  Course Inventory Form

						Proposal Date: 9/24/2007

Potter College of Arts and Letters
Department of English
Proposal to Make Multiple Revisions to a Course
(Action Item)

Contact Person:  Joe M. Hardin, joe.hardin@wku.edu, 5-4650

1.	Identification of course:
1.1		Current course prefix (subject area) and number:  ENG 412 
1.2		Course title: History of Rhetoric
1.3		Credit hours: 3 hours

2.	Revise course title:
	2.1	Current course title: History of Rhetoric
	2.2	Proposed course title: Theory and Practice of Rhetoric
	2.3	Proposed abbreviated title: Theory/Practice of Rhetoric
	2.4	Rationale for revision of course title: New course title more accurately reflects course content.

3.	Revise course number:
	3.1	Current course number: NA
	3.2	Proposed course number: NA
	3.3	Rationale for revision of course number: NA

4.	Revise course prerequisites/corequisites/special requirements:
	4.1	Current prerequisites/corequisites/special requirements: NA
	4.2	Proposed prerequisites/corequisites/special requirements: NA
4.3	Rationale for revision of course prerequisites/corequisites/special requirements: NA
4.4	Effect on completion of major/minor sequence: NA

5.	Revise course catalog listing:
	5.1	Current course catalog listing: This course surveys classical, traditional, and contemporary 			rhetoric as it is applied to written discourse.  Emphasis will be placed on invention, arrangement, 			and style.  Readings will include the work of classical and modern rhetoricians.  Rhetorically 			oriented methods of teaching written discourse will be considered.
	5.2	Proposed course catalog listing: A survey of the history of rhetorical theory from the classical to 			the contemporary period with emphasis on how theories reflect and guide public and written 			discourse and the teaching of writing.
	5.3	Rationale for revision of course catalog listing: New course description more clearly differentiates 			course content from similar courses (notably composition theory course) and more accurately 			reflects course content.

6.	Revise course credit hours:
6.1	Current course credit hours: NA
6.2	Proposed course credit hours: NA
6.3	Rationale for revision of course credit hours: NA

7.	Proposed term for implementation:  Fall 2008

8.	Dates of prior committee approvals:
	English Department:			         	9-27-07
	
	PCAL Curriculum Committee			10-25-07

	University Curriculum Committee		___________________

	University Senate				___________________

Attachment:  Course Inventory Form

								Proposal Date:  September, 2007

Potter College of Arts & Letters
Department of Philosophy and Religion
Proposal to create a New Course
(Action Item)

Contact Person: Isabel Mukonyora	Bella.Mukonyora@wku.edu 	x 55754

1.	Identification of proposed course
1.1	Prefix and number: RELS 403
1.2	Title:  Postcolonial Christianity
1.3	Abbreviated title: Postcolonial Christianity
1.4	Credit hours and contact hours: 3 hours
1.5	Type of course: Lecture/Seminar
1.6	Prerequisites: one RELS course or permission of the instructor
1.7	Course catalog listing: The study of postcolonial interpretations of Christianity in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

2.	Rationale
2.1	 Reason for developing the course
The expansion of Christianity in Africa, Asia and Latin America calls for the development of courses helping students to appreciate the diversity of interpretations of Christianity in other cultures. This course will help students widen their horizons and develop a global perspective on Christianity in postcolonial times.
2.2	Projected enrollment in the proposed course
Enrollment figure of 20 undergraduates is based on enrollment numbers in other courses taught in the department at this level.
2.3	Relationship of the proposed course to courses now offered by the department.
Although students learn about different religions from Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, they are minimally concerned with adaptations of Christianity in non-western cultures.  This course specifically focuses on new traditions of postcolonial Christianity in Africa, Asia and Latin America. 
2.4	Relationship of the proposed course to courses offered in other departments
This course will contribute to WKU’s curricular internationalism, like the following existing courses in other departments: PS 200 Introduction to Latin America; Hist 479 Topics in Third World; Anth 340 Peoples and Cultures of Latin America, Anth 350 Peoples and Cultures of Africa, and Anth 440 Anthropology of Religion.
2.5	Relationships of proposed course to other institutions.
This course is similar to offerings at many other universities, including the following: George Fox University RELS 440, World Christianity; University of Chicago THY 44410, World Christianity; U. Penn REL 132 Modern World Christianity. In Britain, the universities of Cambridge, Edinburgh, and Goldsmith College in London have created entire departments focused on Postcolonial Christianity. In the US, Emory University has joined this trend by offering postgraduate studies in Postcolonial Christianity.

3.	Discussion of proposed course
3.1  Course Objectives
Students will learn about
•	the relationship between colonialism and postcolonial social histories
•	the spread of Christianity to non-western cultures
•	adaptations of Christianity to Africa, Asia and Latin America
•	liberation theology 
By the end of the course students will be familiar with the current scholarship on postcolonial Christianity.

3.2 Content Outline
Major units: The course will cover aspects of
•	colonialism and the European missionary enterprise
•	postcolonial theories and their impact on religious studies
•	African, Asian and Latin American scholarship on Christianity
•	liberation theology as a global movement
•	western critics of postcolonial Christianity

3.3	Student expectations and requirements
To facilitate student learning, there will be reading assignments and classroom discussions of selected texts. Assessment will include close reading of texts, writing essays, student leadership of seminars, tests and the final examination.
3.4	Tentative texts and course materials
Readings will be selected from the following books:

Africa
Benezet Bujo. Foundations of an African Ethic: Beyond the Universal Claims of Western Morality. Translation from German by Brian McNeil; New York: The Crossroad Publishing 2001.
Vincent Donovan. Christianity Rediscovered.  New York:  Orbis Books 2003.
Philip Jenkins. The New Faces of Christianity. Oxford University Press 2006.

Latin America
William T. Cavanaugh. Torture and Eucharist: Challenges in Contemporary Theology. Oxford: Blackwell 1998.
Gustavo Gutierrez.  We Drink from Our Own Wells. New York: Orbis Books 2003 Edition.
Asia
Ignatius Jesudasan.  A Gandhian Theology of Liberation. New York: Orbis Books 1984.
Joseph Mitsuo Kitagawa. The Christian Tradition Beyond its European Captivity. Philadelphia:  Trinity Press International. 

General Sources
Christianity Around the World (DVD): Discussions led by current experts on Global Christianity supported by images from Africa, Asia and Latin America.  Chicago: Quietstar, Inc. 2006.
Daniel M. Bell, Jr. Liberation Theology after the End of History: The refusal to cease suffering. London and New York: Routledge Press 2001.
John W. Riggs. Postmodern Christianity: Doing theology in the Contemporary World. Harrisburg, London & New York: Trinity Press International 2003.

4	Resources:
4.1	Library resources: The Library has adequate resources for this course. See Library Resources Form.
4.2	Computer resources: A course website will be utilized for enhanced communication.
5	Budget implications
5.1	Proposed method of staffing: Taught by current departmental faculty.
5.2	Special equipment needed:
None
6	Proposed term of implementation:
Fall 2008
7	Dates of prior committee approvals:
Religious Studies Faculty			_____9/7/07_________
Philosophy and Religion Department	    	____10/3/07_________
Potter College Curriculum Committee	____10/11/07________
University Curriculum Committee		____________________
University Senate				____________________

Attachments: Course Inventory Form, Library Resources Form

Proposal Date: 9/21/07

Potter College
Department of English
Proposal to Revise a Program
(Action Item)

Contact Person: Karen Schneider    e-mail: karen.schneider@wku.edu    Phone: 5/3046

1.	Identification of program
1.1	Reference Number: 662 L
1.2  Current Program Title: Major in English: Literature Concentration
1.3  Credit hours: 39

2.  	Identification of the proposed changes:
Add a sentence requiring a minimum g.p.a. in the major.

3.	Detailed program description:

Present introductory paragraph describing the major:	Proposed introductory paragraph describing the major:	
The literature concentration in English requires a minimum of 39 semester hours and leads to a bachelor of arts degree. A minor or second major is required. Requirements for the major are as follows: English 299, 304, 381, 382, 385, 391, 392, 401, 492, four additional three-credit, upper-level literature courses and one additional elective from departmental offerings.
	The literature concentration in English requires a minimum of 39 semester hours and leads to a bachelor of arts degree. A minor or second major is required. Requirements for the major are as follows: English 299, 304, 381, 382, 385, 391, 392, 401, 492, four additional three-credit, upper-level literature courses and one additional elective from departmental offerings. A minimum overall g.p.a. of 2.5 is required in the major.

4.	Rationale for proposed program revisions:
Strengthen overall quality of program; encourage a high level of learning in all classes taken for the major

5.	Proposed term for implementation and special provisions: 
Term: Fall 2008

Provisions, if applicable: Will not apply to students who have already submitted a degree program by the time the revision goes into effect.

6.	Dates of prior committee approvals:

Department of English					 9-27-2007	
 
Potter College Curriculum Committee			10-11-07 

University Curriculum Committee					     				
	
University Senate							     				

Attachment:  Program Inventory Form

Proposal Date: 9/21/07

Potter College of Arts & Letters
Department of English
Proposal to Revise a Program
(Action Item)

Contact Person: Karen Schneider    e-mail: karen.schneider@wku.edu    Phone: 5-3046

1.	Identification of program
1.1	Reference Number: 662 W
1.2	Current Program Title: Major in English: Writing Concentration
1.3	Credit hours: 38

2.	Identification of the proposed changes:
Add a sentence requiring a minimum g.p.a. in the major.

3.	Detailed program description:

Present introductory paragraph describing the major:	Proposed introductory paragraph describing the major:	
The writing concentration in English requires a minimum of 38 semester hours and leads to a bachelor of arts degree. A minor or second major is required. Requirements for the major are as follows: English 299, 304, 381, 382, 385, 391, 392, five writing courses, including ENG 406, and one additional elective from departmental offerings.
	The writing concentration in English requires a minimum of 38 semester hours and leads to a bachelor of arts degree. A minor or second major is required. Requirements for the major are as follows: English 299, 304, 381, 382, 385, 391, 392, five writing courses, including ENG 406, and one additional elective from departmental offerings. A minimum overall g.p.a. of 2.5 is required in the major.

4.	Rationale for proposed program revisions:
Strengthen overall quality of program; encourage a high level of learning in all classes taken for the major

5.	Proposed term for implementation and special provisions: 
Term: Fall 2008

Provisions, if applicable: Will not apply to students who have already submitted a degree program by the time the revision goes into effect.

6.	Dates of prior committee approvals:

Department of English					 9-27-2007
 
Potter College Curriculum Committee			10-11-07 

 University Curriculum Committee				     				

University Senate						     				

Attachment:  Program Inventory Form