CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, POMONA
ACADEMIC SENATE
GENERAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE
REPORT TO
THE ACADEMIC SENATE
GE-001-134
Contemporary Economic Issues (EC 100) for GE Area D2
General Education Committee
Date: April 2, 2014
Executive Committee
Received and Forwarded
Date: April 9, 2014
Academic Senate
Date: April 16, 2014
FIRST READING
Contemporary Economic Issues (EC 100) for GE Area D2
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BACKGROUND:
Dr. Anne Bresnock of the Economics Department is requesting that Contemporary
Economic Issues (EC 100) be considered for inclusion in General Education (GE)
Area D2. EC 100 is an existing course in the University Catalog and has the following
description:
EC 100 - Contemporary Economic Issues (4)
Introduction to economic issues. Use of basic economic theories to explain current and
future events. Themes may cover international, social, or election year topics.
Investigation of a specific economic issue by an individual or as part of a group.
Completion of General Education Area A: Sub-areas 1, 2, and 3.
Prerequisite(s): Open to non-economics and non-business majors.
Component(s): 4 lecture/discussions.
EC 100 was originally designed and proposed several years ago by Dr. Bresnock in
order to provide a broader exposure to economics; one that combines the principles
taught in EC 201 (microeconomics) and EC 202 (macroeconomics). This broader, more
applied approach made this course suitable for inclusion in GE Area D2 and, in fact, EC
100 was approved as a GE Area D2 course and remained in GE Area D2 until catalog
year 2006-2007. However, budget constraints coupled with low student demand did not
allow the Economics Department to offer the class and, therefore, EC 100 lost its status
as a GE Area D2 course. The moratorium placed on new GE courses during academic
years 2009-2012 (GE-005-910) made it impossible for the Economics Department to
seek reinstatement of EC 100 as a GE Area D2 course. Now that the moratorium is
lifted, it is again appropriate to give this added flexibility in economics education to Cal
Pomona Students.
Some departments, such as the Music Department at Cal Poly Pomona, prefer that
their students receive a broader exposure to economics principles, combining the topics
taught in microeconomics (EC 201) and macroeconomics (EC 202). In fact, EC 100 is a
required course for Music majors (Music Industry Studies option). In this case, EC 100
provides the appropriate level of content coverage and obviates the need by Music
majors to complete two courses in economics (i.e., EC 201 and EC 202). Because EC
100 is now a required course for Music majors, it is anticipated that there will be
sufficient and steady student demand for EC 100 to be offered at least once per year
RESOURCES RECOMMENDED:
Department Chairs
Contemporary Economic Issues (EC 100) for GE Area D2
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RESOURCES CONSULTED:
Dr. Bruce C. Brown, Professor and Chair, Economics Department
Dr. Lynda M. Rush, Professor and past Chair, Economics Department
Dr. Anne E. Bresnock, Professor, Economics Department
Dr. David Kopplin, Professor, Music Department
Dr. Valerie J. Mellano, Professor and Chair, Plant Science Department
Dr. Perky Vetter, Professor and Chair, Kinesiology and Health Promotion Department
Dr. Dale Turner, Professor and Chair, Philosophy Department
Dr. Phyllis R. Nelson, Professor and Chair, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Department
Dr. Dennis P. Quinn, Associate Professor and Chair, IGE (Interdisciplinary General
Education) Department
Department Chairs
DISCUSSION
Examination of Chancellor’s Executive Order (EO) 1065 on General Education Breadth
Requirements (http://www.calstate.edu/eo/EO-1065.html) in the California State
University (CSU) system reveals that the topics covered in EC 100 make this course
appropriate for inclusion in GE Area D2. Moreover, the topics covered in EC 100 are
consistent with the Cal Poly Pomona definition of GE Area D2, as outlined in the GE
Curriculum
Guide
(http://www.csupomona.edu/~academicaffairs/programs/scheduling/Documents/Ch.3-GeneralEducationProposals.pdf). Finally,
it is noteworthy that courses similar to EC 100 are common at other CSU campuses and
are included in GE Area D2 (or comparable area).
Contemporary Economic Issues (EC 100) for GE Area D2
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RECOMMENDATION:
The General Education Committee unanimously recommends that Contemporary
Economic Issues (EC 100) be granted GE Area D2 designation.
ATTACHMENTS
Referral GE-001-134, which includes the Expanded Course Outline (ECO) for EC 100.
Contemporary Economic Issues (EC 100) for GE Area D2
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CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, POMONA
ACADEMIC SENATE
DATE:
July 10, 2013
TO:
The General Education Committee
FROM:
The Academic Senate Executive Committee
SUBJECT:
Academic Senate Referral
1.
CLASSIFICATION: GE-001-134
2.
TITLE OF REFERRAL: EC 100 for GE Area D2
3.
BACKGROUND: See attached referral request form.
provided by the EC: None
4.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES: See attached referral request form and
supporting documentation. Additional resources recommended by the EC:
Additional background
Department Chairs
For the Committee’s Report on this referral, please list in separate sections, the
resources recommended and resources actually consulted. If a resource was
not consulted, briefly state why.
5.
REVIEW AND RECOMMEND: Review and recommend as appropriate.
6.
DATE REQUIRED FOR PRESENTING COMMITTEE REPORT TO EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE: March 21, 2014
Contemporary Economic Issues (EC 100) for GE Area D2
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CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, POMONA
ACADEMIC SENATE
REFERRAL REQUEST FORM
Please provide all information requested in this form. Incomplete referrals will be
returned. Referrals must be submitted in electronic form to: [email protected]
Date: 05/22/13
Names and titles of proponents:
Dr. Anne Bresnock, Professor
KEYWORDS: (list at least 3 keywords to facilitate referral access through database)
Contemporary, Economic, Issues, General, Education, Course, D2
TITLE OF REFERRAL: EC 100 for GE Area D2
BACKGROUND: (Provide background on the need for this referral and how it will
benefit the University. Clearly state the expected outcome(s) or action(s) requested)
Expected Outcomes as listed on the expanded course outline:
The student will:
a) acquire a concrete understanding of the terminology used daily by economists in
discussing contemporary issues,
b) develop an understanding of the basic theoretical principles and employ them to
explain and interpret economic reality and future anticipated economic events,
c) construct an investigation of a specific current economic problem whether as an
individual or as part of a group,
d) demonstrate the ability to communicate the logic of economic thinking qualitatively
and quantitatively, and
e) examine the role of economics in the decision-making process of our sociopolitical
environment.
Justification:
This course is offered to expand the breath of the Economics Department’s offerings of
basic economics to non-economics and business majors. Students currently may
choose either Economics 201 (principles micro) or Economics 202 (principles macro)
when selecting an economics course in Area D-2.
See expanded course outline for additional information.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES: (Provide a list of persons and documents that could
be consulted for additional information on this topic)
Contemporary Economic Issues (EC 100) for GE Area D2
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Dr. Lynda Rush, Chair/Professor
The Executive Committee (EC) forwards the referrals to a standing committee that researches the
proposal, contacts resources, and submits a report. The EC reviews the report, forwards it to the Senate
or returns it to the standing committee for additional information, clarification, or review. After the EC
accepts the report it is placed on the agenda of the next Academic Senate meeting for a first reading and
a month later for a second reading where voting takes place. The referral is then sent to the President for
approval. Depending on the topic the process may take from 1 to 3 quarters. A motion to waive the
first reading, if approved by the Senate, would reduce the wait time by one month.
Is there a deadline by when this referral needs to be considered by the Academic
Senate? _ No
Yes, by
(date).
Justification for deadline:
Contemporary Economic Issues (EC 100) for GE Area D2
Attachment I
EC 100 – Online Consultation Comment(s)
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Contemporary Economic Issues (EC 100) for GE Area D2
Attachment II
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Contemporary Economic Issues (EC 100) for GE Area D2
Attachment III
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Contemporary Economic Issues (EC 100) for GE Area D2
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Contemporary Economic Issues (EC 100) for GE Area D2
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Contemporary Economic Issues (EC 100) for GE Area D2
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Contemporary Economic Issues (EC 100) for GE Area D2
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Contemporary Economic Issues (EC 100) for GE Area D2
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