Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1984 [PAGE 555]

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546

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[April 19

and their major in the school with a program of 20 hours of recommended courses. T h e program is an optional one; participation is dependent on the individual student's desire and the availability of space in the suggested courses. Graduates of the school, particularly those in the restaurant management option, the foods in business option, and the textiles and apparel marketing option, have indicated the necessity of increasing the number of required business courses in their major in order to better prepare for their future careers. Also, more of these majors are pursuing MBAs following graduation, and students with this new business concentration would be better prepared to obtain an advanced degree in business. Revision of the Course W o r k O p t i o n , Master of Science in Biological Sciences, Chicago T h e University Center Senate has approved a reduction in the total credit hours required for the course work option in the Master of Science in Biological Sciences from 56 to 48 hours. This reduction in hours will make the course work option comparable to the other two options in biological sciences as well as to other M.S. programs offered at both local and national universities. The Biological Sciences Department, U I C was unique among institutions in its requirement of more than 48 hours for the M.S. degree. T h e revision will have the benefits of attracting more graduate students to this option and improving the retention rate and degree completion time. Revision of the Teaching of English Specialization, Master o f Arts in English, Chicago The University Center Senate has approved the division of the Teaching of English Specialization into two options, one in English education and the other in composition. Both options are intended for students who hold the secondary teacher certification and for those who seek such certification. T h e requirements for the option in English education remain the same as those that appear in the current U I C graduate bulletin. T h e option in composition differs only slightly from the English education option by requiring more hours in linguistics and rhetoric, and in the teaching of writing. T h e revision enables the English Department to clarify the different strands within its program and help in the proper advising and tracking of students. Revision of the Major in Judaic Studies, Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Chicago T h e University Center Senate has approved extensive changes in the major in Judaic studies. T h e changes consist of: (1) a reduction in the number of required credit hours from 54 to 48, 12 of which must be at the 100 level; (2) a change in credit distribution from 18 credit hours in three out of five areas (Bible, Jewish History, Jewish Thought, Rabbinic Literature, and Hebrew Literature) to 4 credit hours each in all five areas, 8 hours of which must be at the 300 level; (3) elimination of the specialization in Hebrew language and literature and integration of Hebrew courses into the Judaic studies major; and (4) a change in Hebrew 101-106 courses from required prerequisites to required collateral courses. T h e reduction to 48 hours plus the 24-hour collateral requirement in Hebrew language — a total of 72 hours — is sufficient for a comprehensive exposure to the field. T h e changes in credit distribution for the major provides the students with better course sequencing and broader exposure to the field of Judiac studies. The change of status for Hebrew language courses from required prerequisites to required collateral courses reflects the fact that Hebrew language is not a prerequisite for most courses in Judaic studies.

This report was received for record.