New Academic Program Initiatives

In June, Academic Vice President John T. Day announced 11 projects that were funded as new academic initiatives. Development of the programs began in the summer and will continue through this academic year. Completed proposals are being reviewed by the Committee on Academic Policies, some as early as this fall.

The projects complement existing programs and strengthen the University’s commitment to interdisciplinary and experiential education. Other promising proposals were not able to be funded. Several will be pursued with the encouragement of the Center for Faculty Development.

The 11 funded projects are:

• A practicum for undergraduate psychology students in conjunction with the Cleveland Clinic Center
  for Autism. Proposed by Tracy Masterson, Psychology.
  
  
• A major in East Asian Studies and the exploration of John Carroll becoming a Confucius Institute, which, among other things, would provide Chinese language instructors to Carroll. Proposed by the East Asian Studies Advisory Committee, currently chaired by Roger Purdy, History. Pam Mason, Political Science, assumed responsibility for coordinating the East Asian Studies program in July.
  
  
• A program in Environmental Sustainability, which will include a track in the MBA program, strengthen the curriculum of the Environmental Science major, and help make the campus more sustainable. Proposed by Chris Sheil, Biology, and Jim Martin, Associate Dean of the Boler School of Business.
  
  
• A minor in Forensic Behavioral Science. Coordinated by Duane Dukes, Sociology and Criminology, on behalf of the departments of Sociology and Criminology and Psychology.
  
  
• A major in Human Resource Management. Proposed by Ed Tomlinson and Nathan Hartman, Management, Marketing, and Logistics.
  
  
• A major in International Business, which will include both study abroad and an internship with an international company. Proposed by Santa Casciani and Luigi Ferri, Classical and Modern Languages and Cultures, in conjunction with Jim Martin, Boler School.
  
  
• An interdisciplinary minor in Leadership Studies. Proposed by Jim Martin, Boler School, and Beth Martin, Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, on behalf of a committee representing eight academic departments.
  
  An interdisciplinary major and minor in Peace, Justice, and Human Rights. Proposed by Jeanne Colleran, English, on behalf of a committee representing seven academic departments.
  
  
• An endorsement for certified teachers in Pervasive Development Disorders. Proposed by Thea Ford and Bunny Garson, Education and Allied Studies.
  
  
• A Professional Writing Program. Proposed by Francis Ryan on behalf of the English Department.
  
  
• An interdisciplinary major in Women’s and Gender Studies. Proposed by Brenda Wirkus and Dianna Taylor, Philosophy.

The committee that reviewed the proposals and recommended those to fund consisted of Linda Eisenmann, former Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Phil Metres, English; Nick Santilli, Associate Academic Vice President for Planning and Assessment; Karen Schuele, Dean of the Boler School; Elizabeth Stiles, Political Science; Mark Waner, Director of the Center for Faculty Development; and Lauren Bowen, Associate Academic Vice President for Academic Programs, who coordinated the application process and is providing ongoing administrative support to the projects.