September 21, 2018

Anthropology, Economics and Geography Department meeting

Friday, September 21,2018 Room 2405 1:00pm-3:45pm

The Anthropology, Economics and Geography Department met Friday, September 21, 2018 from 1:00 PM to 3:45 PM at the Highland Learning Campus in Room 2105. The following faculty members were in attendance: Luke Armstrong, Jessamine Dana, Iris Diamond, Jean Evers, Cedric Grice, Steve Howard, Don Jonsson, Livingstone Kumassah, Paul Lehman, Lizzie Pintar, Michael Pool, Carleen Sanchez, Ian Strachan, James Sondgeroth and Daniel Waktola.

1. Approve agenda

Action: request to add one item by Iris Diamond, agenda reordered and then approved.

2. Approve the minutes of last meeting http://www2.austincc.edu/SOCSCI/Minutes.html

Discussion: Minutes are subject to edit for grammar and clarity.

Action: Minutes approved.

3. Announcement: Teaching Excellence nominees in ANTH, ECON, GEOG

Discussion: Lizzie announced that many instructors in the AEG had been nominated for a Teaching Excellence Award. Please see the list of those nominated and acknowledged below:

Anthropology: Carleen Sanchez, Sherry Heiden and Steve Howard

Economics: Alec Slivinske, Ian Strachan, Iris Diamond, Luke Armstrong, Patty Leo and Richard Croxdale.

Geography: Don Jonsson and Paul Lehman.

4. Discuss and take action on Early College Start Economics course request for Spring 2019

Discussion: 5 new section requests of Econ 2301, 2 of which are ECHS classes on the Elgin campus. 15 sections offered in Spring 2018, 13 sections made in Spring 2018, 12 sections currently offered and approved for Spring 2019. Motion made to accept the two ECHS on campus and two of the three proposed sections on high schools (Smithville, Liberty Hill and Austin Peace Academy).

Action: motion passed to approve 2 ECHS ECON 2301 sections at Manor Campus and to allow the ECS office to choose which of the two high school campus sections to add.

5. Discuss the addition of hybrid section of Econ 2301 in the Spring 2019 12 week semester- Iris Diamond.

Discussion: 16 week hybrid did not make in Fall so Iris proposed to change the session into 12 week and offer in the evening for those students that were unable to get into the 16 week session.

Action: Approved

6. Discuss adding ANTH 2101 (Physical Anthropology lab) as a one hour lecture to accompany ANTH 2301 in the Anthropology AA degree plan.

Discussion: ANTH 2101 Physical Anthropology (lab) is listed in the ACGM as an approved course to offer. This one hour lab is needed for students that take ANTH 2301 are unable to transfer that credit to Texas State, as it does not include a lab component. This course will be offered to those that need it but not listed as required in the degree plans. A note will be added to the degree plan stating that Students transferring to Texas State be advised to take Anth 2101 in conjunction with Anth 2301.

Action: Motion made and approved to begin the process of offering Anth 2101 and finding the necessary lab space.

7. Discuss accepting AP scores for Geography

Discussion: accepting AP scores for credit in various Geography classes. Materials provided did not indicate that Macroeconomics 2301 or Principles of Microeconomics 2302 AP exam scores were accepted by ACC, as previously thought by the Economics Department.

Action: No action at this time as this item will benched until more information is provided.

October 9 Post Meeting Action Motion was made on October 9 by email to accept AP Human Geography exam scores of 3, 4, or 5 as credit for Geog 1302. Motion seconded and approved.

8. Presentation by Erasmus Addae - Discuss distance learning course designations and new Quality Matters requirements (https://www.qualitymatters.org/qa-resources/rubric-standards).

Discussion: All Distance learning courses will need to redesigned to meet Quality Matters standards by Fall 2020. Anthropology and Geography degrees may be obtained online therefore the Distance Learning office would like to concentrate on those two disciplines first. Distance learning can arrange a two day workshop for these disciplines. Instructional designers are available on each campus to assist with course redesign. Go to Quality Matters site and create an account. Complete a self assessment. Speak with the Instructional Designer on your campus for a review prior to the internal QM review. There was some discussion between Jim and Erasmus regarding the high out of district tuition and the rationale for offering so many DL courses and/or degrees when students can take the same online courses elsewhere at a lower cost.

9. Department and College updates: Department Chair meetings, discuss Faculty Advising, and required instructor participation in DAC.

- 2 Economics faculty positions have been posted and applications will be accepted until December 13th.

- In Spring 2019 four Instruction Associate positions will be available for the Liberal Arts Department to advise students 20 hours per week. An announcement will be sent out as more information is received.

- Submit request for travel funds soon as funds are allotted as requests are received.

- Changes to Assistant Dean positions will begin in the spring. Carleen Sanchez addressed the rumor that she was responsible for these changes. Carleen stated that although she was on the college wide committee that made recomendations to the role and functions of Assistant Deans, she was not responsible for these changes,and she will have to apply for the position just like other interested faculty.

10. Adjourn