Faculty Discuss Summa, Curriculum Changes

The Faculty Council discussed restructuring the Core curriculum yesterday in response to a report prepared by the Core Review Committee, council members said.

"The committee is proposing a new structure for the Core, but it's a conversation we haven't finished," said Shannon Jackson, an assistant professor of literature who sits on the council. "We're discussing the Core in light of concentration requirements and other curriculum issues."

Council members said the report affirms the need for a Core program in the College.

"It recognizes the reasons why the Core was created and says that the committee believes the goals of the Core remains worthy," said Professor of Government and Sociology Theda Skocpol, a council member.

Although faculty members on the council refused to comment on specific recommendations in the report, many said the proposal addresses the very basis of the Core.

"It really tries to start at the basic beginning and ask questions about [the Core]," said Pforzheimer University Professor Sidney Verba, the committee's chair. "That was our mandate, to look at the whole thing and its philosophical underpinnings."

According to Verba, the committee has been working on the report for nearly a year and a half.

After the council meets again in two weeks, members will decide when to present the report to the full Faculty, said History Professor Susan G. Pedersen, a council member.

Verba said his committee based the report on extensive research.

"What we have done is a long analysis of the core," Verba said. "It's a report on what we learned from talking to lots of students, Faculty and alumni."

In a mailing to Faculty that will go out this week, the committee will include two Undergraduate Council reports on Core reform along with their proposal.

"We thought the reports were very helpful," Verba said. "We wanted the faculty to see them as well."

Core reform has been a controversial issue in the College since the program's inception in October of 1974.

The Core curriculum first began educating undergraduates in 1979; since then, the Faculty has released four reports reviewing the program prior to this one

According to Verba, the committee has been working on the report for nearly a year and a half.

After the council meets again in two weeks, members will decide when to present the report to the full Faculty, said History Professor Susan G. Pedersen, a council member.

Verba said his committee based the report on extensive research.

"What we have done is a long analysis of the core," Verba said. "It's a report on what we learned from talking to lots of students, Faculty and alumni."

In a mailing to Faculty that will go out this week, the committee will include two Undergraduate Council reports on Core reform along with their proposal.

"We thought the reports were very helpful," Verba said. "We wanted the faculty to see them as well."

Core reform has been a controversial issue in the College since the program's inception in October of 1974.

The Core curriculum first began educating undergraduates in 1979; since then, the Faculty has released four reports reviewing the program prior to this one