Core Curriculum Course Changes are Coming

Salem State's Core Curriculum- the courses on the top left side of a student's flow sheet – is being revised by a committee of faculty members, administrators and students. The changes may go into effect as early as 2013, but will more likely occur for the fall 2014 semester.

The changes will not negatively affect any student currently enrolled at Salem State. "We currently have a core curriculum that has potential to be renewed and revised in ways that are more beneficial to all students, and to the institution as a whole," said Dr. Elizabeth Duclos-Orsello, associate professor of interdisciplinary studies, who co-chairs the Core Curriculum Advisory Committee with Dr. Emerson Baker, professor of history.

"From our transfer students, to our students who start with us from day one, to students who may encounter a new idea or new experience midway through their time here and want to change their major course of study, how do we make our Core experience be something that is simultaneously a shared and signature experience at Salem State and serve the needs of students as they're exploring and really engaging the mind in this phase of their life?" Duclos- Orsello asked.

Baker said work on the core curriculum revisions started last year. He added that he, and Duclos- Orsello were charged with creating a core that is "more flexible, smaller in size and [that] better serves the needs of students in so much as students can, in a timely fashion, more through their time here while having a really dynamic experience."

"The President would like to see a core that is smaller in the number of credits, that is flexible, and also too that is assessable," said Baker.

So why is the Core Curriculum Advisory Committee doing this now?

Salem State went through a reaccreditation last year, completing a two-year study of the university. Noted in the self-study was the fact that the university was unsure of how to assess the core curriculum. The last time the core curriculum was changed was seven years ago, which featured the additions of the Q, V and W requirements as well as reducing the number of credits needed for graduation from 126 to 120.

"In other words, what do we say students should get when they leave Salem State with their degree? What are we sure that you have, and how do we know that you have it?" asked Baker. "How do you demonstrate to us when you graduate, that you're going to be a good critical thinker? That you understand the global community? That you have certain values?"

Baker and Duclos-Orsello emphasized that institutions do this on a regular basis, and there's also a need to make the core curriculum more valuable.

Duclos-Orsello explains that the process of making these changes is "one that's based on lessons learned from other institutions around the country who have undergone similar substitute changes in their core in the last five years."

In terms of future course selections, "We would hope, with a more flexible core, students will have more choice in course selection," Baker said. However, Duclos- Orsello noted that it was too soon to discuss specifics.

Flyers regarding open forums or focus groups dedicated to informing students about these changes, and getting opinions are located in the Residence Halls and have started this month. Students are encouraged to come and voice their opinions on what they'd like to see change with the core curriculum. Duclos-Orsello also added that a survey from surveymonkey.com about the changes will come out in early March.

A series of open forums along with faculty and student focus groups about the Core Curriculum changes have been held on campus this semester. Those remaining are:

•The last open forum -- open to

all members of the Salem State

community -- will be held Feb. 22,

from 9 to 10 a.m. in Veterans Hall

in the Ellison Campus Building.

•A focus group for South Campus

Residence Hall students will

be held Feb. 23 from 6:30 to 7:30

p.m. in the South Campus Residence

Hall.

•A focus group for administration

and staff will be held Feb. 27

from 11 a.m. to noon in Room 210

at Marsh Hall on Central Campus.

•A focus group for all students

will be held March 1 from 6:30 to

7:30 p.m. in Marsh Hall.

Students seeking more information should visit the Academic Affairs page on the Salem State website at http://www.salemstate. edu/18929.php.