All of our courses have a “Course Description,” as can be readily accessed via the Bulletin, that tends to remain static, even though exact content and style may vary between instructors and terms. This generally works well, except for our Common Core (CC) courses, which include the following four categories and Course Descriptions:
- Arts, Aesthetics & Creativity (A)
- Explores relation between creative writing and other art forms. Interdisciplinary arts projects. Emphasis on independent work, ethical issues of art and society, and the nature of the creative process. Discussion based, writing intensive.
- Human Behaviors & Social Institutions (B)
- Develops insights into human nature, the nature of social institutions, the social processes that have shaped the world of the 21st century. In an interdisciplinary way, introduces the distinctive perspectives of the social sciences, emphasizing frameworks and techniques used in explaining causes and patterns of individual and institutional behavior.
- Literary & Intellectual Traditions (T)
- Interdisciplinary exploration of a humanistic tradition of inquiry regarding one of the following themes: ideas of self, truth, beauty, community, nature, or conflict. Writing intensive, discussion-focused. Attention to primary texts and research materials.
- Natural World (N)
- Introduces students to the methods and logic of science, and helps them understand the importance of science to the development of civilization and the contemporary world. Provides a context within which to evaluate the important scientific and technological issues of modern society. Interdisciplinary elements.
A novel aspect of Common Core courses, however, is that offerings can be proposed from any department, and each is to have a unique Variable Title (VT). Accordingly, there can be multiple VT offerings, at the same level, from the same department. Unfortunately, until recently only the generic Course Description for each of the four areas in the CC was available in iGPS, and that could make it difficult for students and advisors alike to make scheduling selections, as the VT name may not provide sufficient information.
We’re happy to announce that starting with Spring 2022, a new tool makes it possible for faculty to add “Class Descriptions” to their courses that can be viewed in iGPS. For the spring and summer terms of 2022, Class Descriptions have been added administratively, on behalf of faculty, based upon previous records (descriptions from original proposal to the General Education Committee, previously provided instructor descriptions, etc).
However, faculty are strongly encouraged to take an active role in updating their own Class Descriptions. This can be done for any course for which a faculty member is the official instructor of record, but it is especially useful for the VT courses within the CC.
The tool for doing this is still being developed, but it’s already quite easy to use. Faculty should simply go to One.IU and then search for the tool, which is appropriately called Class Descriptions:
The tool should be the first result, and faculty should automatically see all of the courses for which they are the instructor of record and have the ability to paste in their own, instructor-provided, Class Description.