Learning and Teaching Committee

Subject: Programme Proposals

Origin Secretary to Curriculum Sub-Committee

At its January 2012 meeting Curriculum Sub-Committee discussed the quality of the programme proposals which it had received within the agenda papers for the meeting:

CSC/12/04 Consideration of Programme Proposals

Members noted the unusually large volume of paperwork which they had received for the meeting.

They received a paper prepared by the Secretary which summarised problems encountered in the collation of the agenda papers. It was noted that incomplete submissions often resulted in longer discussion of proposals during meetings and/or additional work for all parties before and after CSC meetings. Therefore, it was in the interests of schools if common problems could be detected prior to the submission of proposals.

It was AGREED that the paper should be circulated to all AD(T)s so that they could be mindful of possible problems to look out for when they received programme proposals in the future. Members were encouraged to forward constructive ideas for improving the quality of proposal submissions to the Secretary or the Chair.

ACTION: MA, All

It was noted that none of the proposers of new programmes which were to be considered at the meeting had taken up offers by the Teaching Centre for help in preparing their proposals. It was proposed that the QEOs should copy relevant AD(T)s into their correspondence with proposers so that AD(T)s could encourage them to take up the offer of support.

ACTION: CS, MF

The paper listing problems encountered in the collation of the paperwork is attached as Annex A.

Issues relating to the proposals identified during the CSC meeting are attached as Annex B

Proposed Actions

Learning and Teaching Committee is asked to consider the following possible actions to improve the quality of paperwork submitted to Curriculum Sub-Committee:

(1) A new requirement for Schools to engage with the Teaching Centre in the development of proposals for new programmes and for major changes to programmes. This could become a formal part of the programme approval process requiring the Teaching Centre to confirm that this engagement has taken place;

(2) The development of a session for AD(T)s to alert them to common issues identified in the consideration of programme proposals and explore best practice in the development of programme and module specifications;

(3) Greater emphasis on programme specifications during the New Lecturers’ Course;

(4) Consideration by LTC, in the first instance, of the way in which programme proposals are discussed and formulated within Schools; whether only staff who have received training in the programme approval process should be able to submit a proposal (for new and major changes); whether CSC should adher to strict deadlines for the submission of documentation.

Author – Martine Ashby

Date – March 2012