The
University Senate of Michigan Technological University
Proposal
20-10
(Voting Units: Academic)
Change
of Name of an Academic Program from
“Bachelor
of Arts in Liberal Arts with a Concentration in English”
to
"Bachelor of Arts in English”
Introduction
This is a proposal to change the name of the current
degree program, "Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts with a Concentration in
English", to "Bachelor of Arts in English". This degree program,
the B. A. in English, will include an optional Concentration in English
Education for students who seek to become certified as high school teachers.
Description
There is no intention to change the curriculum with the
adoption of the new name. The curriculum
of the current degree, "Liberal Arts with a Concentration in
English", cultivates reading, writing, and speaking skills. The curriculum develops insight into human
nature through study of established literary traditions and allows students to
explore the history of thought and ideas.
This B. A. degree has proven beneficial in advanced studies and career
pursuits. Students who are better able
to think critically, write well and creatively, read fluently, and communicate
effectively are in increasing demand in every field. Some of our graduates have become secondary
school teachers; some have continued to law school or graduate school in areas
such as creative writing, environmental journalism, library science, and
rhetoric and technical communication.
The current degree program "Bachelor of Arts in
Liberal Arts with a Concentration in Secondary Education" will be
retained, but will be named "Bachelor of Arts in English with a
Concentration in English Education".
Rationale
The change in the name of the degree from "Liberal
Arts with a Concentration in English" to "English" will reflect
more accurately the curriculum and education offered to undergraduates.
The degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts was
originally approved to accommodate the University’s need for major programs in
the Humanities. The Concentration in
English was modeled after comparable English programs in research universities
throughout the US. However, the current
name implies a variety of non-English courses and only a slight emphasis on
English. This is an inaccurate portrayal
of the nature and the rigor of the curriculum; the new name will correct this
misrepresentation.
After students majoring in English graduate from the
degree program, they pursue careers and graduate programs that require formal
training in the discipline. Although the
program fulfills the requirements sought by employers and university
administrators, the current name weakens our competitive position and can be a
critical liability for our graduating seniors.
With the name change, our English students will be better prepared when
competing for jobs, graduate school entrance, and scholarships. Within the field of literature, especially, a
Bachelor’s degree in English will lend more credibility to our curriculum and
better serve the interests of our students.
Timeline
If this proposal is approved in Spring 2010, this name
change will be implemented in fall 2010. Students currently in the program will
be given the option to finish their current degree/concentration, or to change
to the new degree.
Adopted by Senate: 14 April 2010
Approved by administration: 21 April 2010