University of Michigan - Flint

General Education Focus Session

Suites Across Boxes

February 5, 2008

9:30 – 10:30 am, 241 French Hall

Facilitated by Susan Gano-Phillips

Attendance: 4

Susan Gano-Phillips explained that the Steering Committee is continuing to think about the boxes detailed in the general education plan and how to implement them. The committee is wrestling with questions regarding identifying the essential characteristics of suites and what components should be included.

Those in attendance presented questions that have been unanswered to this point:

· Do suites only involve upper level courses?

· What about pre-requisites?

· Can just one class be considered a suite?

· Can suites go across boxes, i.e., could a suite count for 3 credits Humanities, Culture and

Fine Arts and 3 credits Natural Science?

· Should suites be based on a skill set (e.g. critical thinking)

Susan clarified the specifics of the plan in that suites can be within or across disciplines. Suites allow for the application of learning and assure a breadth of experience.

Concerns raised:

· Boxes limit creativity and the move toward interdisciplinary teaching

· It is hard to fit into the boxes, but easier to fit across boxes with a suite idea.

· Many disciplines fit into multiple boxes.

· Uncertain of the practicality of boxes.

· How do suites effect transfer students?

Ø Susan referred to the plan which specifies on page 6-7* that traditional courses would be accepted from transfer students in the four component areas and that the only courses they would be required to take a one hour component of the first year experience (research skills and resources, intro to campus) and the upper-level capstone.

Suggestions:

· Create suites based on societal issues that cross multiple boxes (e.g. poverty can involve Political Science, health & well being, economics, natural science).

· If more flexibility is desired, then the campus should determine the interdisciplinary connections valued and develop suites from there.

· Work to define content level outcomes.

*General Education Curriculum, “Learning Communities & Effective Citizenship” as revised December 11, 2007 and reprinted in 2008 (green cover)