BFC optimistic on proposed standard curriculum

The Bloomington Faculty Council discussed a proposed plan Tuesday that would institute a campus-wide general education curriculum on the Bloomington campus.\nBFC President and School of Public and Environmental Affairs professor Theodore Miller outlined the newly proposed plan to the council. Miller said there have been several attempts to establish such a curriculum over the past 10 years, and the latest round of interest in the idea began early last spring when the board of trustees announced their desire to standardize a general education curriculum across the University.\nThe proposal details a wide range of requirements, including basics in English composition and mathematics, as well as a distribution of credits in arts and humanities, social and historical studies and natural and mathematical studies. A focus in world languages and cultures is a key component of the new curriculum and students will have the option of completing this component in one of three ways; six credits in a second-year level of a world language, six credits in world culture courses or six credits in an approved international study abroad program.\nA general education committee will also be established to facilitate the transition and evaluation of the general education program, according to the proposal. The committee will have proportional representation from each of the University schools.\nMiller told the committee he understands the current version of the proposal is not perfect and said he is looking for feedback from faculty on how to make it the best possible plan. \n"We understand it will require some changes and that is something that we will pursue at a later time in the process," he said.\nMiller said a note will be sent out to all IU faculty members describing the new proposal and asking for comments and suggestions.\nThere were some concerns from members that arouse throughout the discussion, including the possibility of cutting into a specific school's curriculum and budgeting and implementation issues. Overall, however, the council seemed optimistic. Miller said the council will continue hearing the concerns and suggestions of faculty and begin discussing actual changes to the proposal at the BFC meeting Oct. 3.