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New Major Proposals

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To propose a new major, departments should follow the procedure listed below.

1. Submit a written request to the Academic Affairs Committee, through the Academic Dean, Caroline Latta, to obtain an "approval in principle" to begin the proposal process.
2. Using the format included below, prepare the complete proposal to be first submitted to the Curriculum Committee for review of the curricular structure: major requirements, course analysis, four year programs, and assessment/evaluation plan. A representative for the major proposal will be invited to the Committee to answer questions.
3. Once approved by the Curriculum Committee, the proposal is resubmitted to the Academic Affairs Committee for further analysis, specifically the availability of student population, faculty, personnel, and resources needed, and the Curriculum Committee's recommendation regarding the curriculum.
4. For final approval, the proposal is sent on to the All College Council.

Columbia College Curriculum Committee Review for Proposed Major

INSTRUCTIONS: The following information is needed for the review of a proposed new major.

1. Course titles, descriptions, and syllabi for all courses proposed for this major. (For new courses include course outline only if syllabi are not available.)
2. A list of major requirements, including core requirements, concentrations, and suggested departmental electives.
3. A projected four-year student program which includes major, general studies requirements, and electives. (Students must complete 24 credit hours of general education program requirements by the time they complete 77 cumulative credit hours)

In addition to providing the information above, address the following questions in writing for the review.

1. Departmental or Major Goals
   1. What are the educational goals for the proposed major?
   2. How do the goals for this new major relate to the mission of the College?
2. Projected Student Population
   1. Who is your projected student clientele? How will this major attract new students to the school?
   2. Give evidence of the need for this program in the Chicago area.
   3. If similar programs exist, how is your projected major unique?
   4. What plans do you have for marketing this curriculum?
3. Faculty or Personnel
   1. What are the faculty requirements for this new major? Can your present departmental faculty teach and administer this major, or are additional faculty needed?
   2. Do the areas of expertise of the present faculty relate to the projected curriculum ordo present faculty need to be re-trained?
4. Resources
   1. Describe the resources required for this major? (This includes space, equipment, and staff support.) Are these resources already available or do they need to be purchased?
   2. What is the projected cost for marketing this new major?
   3. Is outside funding available for purchase of equipment, books, or other materials?
5. Major Curriculum and Course Analysis
   1. What is the rationale for the structure of this major? (Number of courses required,number of electives suggested, concentrations available, and course sequence suggested.)
   2. Is there an official organization in your discipline that specifies or suggests courses to be included in the undergraduate programs? If so, please append a copy of these requirements.
   3. Do courses in other departments appear to overlap with some of the courses offered in your major? If so, which ones?
   4. What courses from other departments are you planning to include or require in your curriculum?
   5. What are the preparatory courses in the major that serve to introduce the student to the program?
   6. What courses provide a summary to the program and give direction to the student's projected employment or further academic study?
   7. Are the courses included in the major new ones or are they presently in the curriculum? List all new courses.
   8. How do the courses in this major prepare students for immediate employment or further study? How do the courses prepare students in adjusting to future changes in the field?
   9. What opportunities are available for internships or work study programs in this major?
   10. How does this major relate to other majors within the College?
   11. What plans have you made to evaluate or assess the success of your curriculum?

Questions approved by Curriculum Committee, Feb. 28, 1992.
Questions approved by the Academic Dean, March 3, 1992.

If you have questions, contact Jan Garfield, at jgarfield@popmail.colum.edu or your Curriculum Committee departmental representative.