Academic Programs — Guidelines for New Course Rationales

A rationale for any newly proposed course is required on the course approval form. Unlimited space is allotted to the rational field. The following points should be covered:

  • Why is the course material important?
  • Who is the audience for the course?
  • How does the course fit into the existing curriculum within the major, the minor, a certificate, the GE Program, as an elective, or in any other manner?
  • Does this course overlap or appear to duplicate any courses in other CLAS departments?
  • How frequently will it be offered and what is the plan for staffing this course over the next few times it is taught? 
  • Will at least 16 students enroll in the course when it is offered? If not, are there special considerations (i.e., space or equipment limitations)?

All course approval forms are reviewed by the College; forms without a convincing rationale are returned to the department for revision.

Sample Rationales for New Courses

  • "This course will compliment the existing practical laboratory and methods courses currently being taught in the department, and it will strengthen and broaden skill sets available to undergraduate and graduate anthropology/archaeology students. The course will also fulfill a 100-level requirement for courses in archaeology and bioarchaeology for undergraduate majors. This course has been requested by students, but it has not been taught since the spring 2007 semester by a visiting professor (enrollment=19)."

  • "This course is being added to the catalog as a new regular offering for a faculty member hired last spring. This course, aimed at history majors and other senior undergraduates (Art History, Medieval Studies, English), fills a significant hole in our curriculum. It broadens the geographical reach of our medievalist offerings and the chronological reach of our history of the British Isles previously taught by the department."

  • "This course is being added to the catalog as a capstone course primarily aimed at Communication Studies majors who are seniors or juniors. It also counts toward the certificates, majors, and minors in International Studies and Latin American Studies. The course examines the history and theory of community media, with a focus on the Latin American region from the 1970s through the present. [. . .]. This course is significant because it investigates how people use broadcasting and internet media at the community level to work for social and political change, cultural expression, and self-determination."