Course Validation

Use this procedure for first-time approval of an Essential Studies course.

Process

  1. Proposals to add a course to the ES program are initiated at the department level and should proceed only with the approval of the department chair. Contact the Director of Essential Studies with any questions.

  2. When finalized at the department, a validation request will need to be submitted. 
    1. The request form allows you to check which type of course you are validating (e.g., Breadth of Knowledge, Special Emphasis, Capstone) as well as what learning goals the course is intended to meet and what dimensions of the learning goal rubrics will be met.
    2. You will be asked to attach a syllabus for the course.
    3. You will also be asked to attach a document that describes how the course meets the learning goals (and rubric dimensions), as well as the criteria for breadth of knowledge, capstone, and/or special emphasis.  *Please create the document before filling out the form and upload in word or pdf. 
      1. See example here 
    4. Submit validation request here.
  3. Upon approval by the ES Committee, the validation request will appear on an upcoming agenda of the University Senate, at which final approval will occur.
  4. If approved, the course becomes part of ES at the start of the next academic year.

Timeline

The deadline for submission of requests for the validation of ES courses is December 1 each year. The ES Committee's review period for such requests will be from the point of submission until the end of January. If approved by the ES Committee, the validated course will appear in the course catalog, which is posted in March of the same academic year, in time for advisement for the spring registration period.

Requirements

To be part of the ES program, a course will focus on a student learning in at least one of the six ES learning goals:

  1. Critical Inquiry and Analysis
  2. Quantitative Reasoning
  3. Written Communication,
  4. Oral Communication
  5. Intercultural Knowledge & Skills
  6. Information Literacy

It must also fit into one of the following:

  • Breadth of Knowledge:
    • Communication
    • Social Science
    • Fine Arts
    • Humanities
    • Math, Science, & Technology
  • Special Emphasis:
    • Advanced Communication
    • Quantitative Reasoning
    • Diversity of Human Experience
    • Analyzing Worldviews
  • Capstone