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
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