From: Carol Harding (hardinc@wou.edu)
To: gilkey@darkwing.uoregon.edu
Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2004 12:07:59 -0700
Subject: transfer module
Peter, here's a written summary of my comments yesterday:
- 1. avoid referring to this as a "first year" module -- it misleads students
into thinking they will have only 3 years left if they finish this 45 credits;
for some majors, this may be true, but for others, not.
- 2. students at WOU could have trouble with the writing component of 2
courses, since our freshman comp requirement is only 1 term, and the 2nd course
often used at the CC or other OUS schools is not taught every term or is an UD
course (WR 222 is taught once a year, WR 321 would be difficult for freshmen).
Also, transferring in with 2 courses means they have an "extra" course, and
students still need WI courses.
- 3. every major in the OUS system should be re-written to include the
introductory or Gen Ed courses desired by those depts.; this will assist in
proper advising, even when it is self-advising.
- 4. at WOU, the component of the transfer module titled "Arts & Letters" is
an issue; the module suggests 3-4 classes or 9-12 credits. Currently our
students are required to take 20 credits in these combined areas (9 credits in
creative arts, 8 credits in literature, 3 credits in philosophy). This does not
include any modern languages. Our faculty in the past has strongly argued for
the diversity of coursework for our students.
- 5. I would guess that some schools would strongly object to being told not
to "add on" (e.g. see #4 here) to the 45-credit core. In addition, some majors
will likely advise students NOT to get the transfer certificate because the
requirements are at odds with major requirements (e.g. -- Math for Elem
Teachers at WOU is a required 3-term sequence of all elem majors, and it
substitutes for Mth 105).
Dr. Carol E. Harding
Western Oregon University
Humanities Division/English
Monmouth, OR 97361 USA
(503.838.8245
hardinc@wou.edu)