Liberal Arts Core

Adding Courses to the LAC (non-capstone)

  1. If the course is a currently approved course in the UNI Catalog, the course proposer(s) should fill out a “Liberal Arts Core Course Proposal Form” (Word, PDF) and attach sample syllabi with the proposal.  The proposal should clearly indicate how the course fulfills the objectives of the category to which it is being proposed.  If appropriate, there should also be supporting documentation or information from the college or departments or oversight group that currently provide courses for that part of the Liberal Arts Core.  For example, if a department were to propose a course for inclusion into the Reading and Writing Category of the LAC, it is expected that the Department of English Language and Literature would have been consulted before the proposal is submitted.

    If the course is a new or experimental course, and is currently undergoing the curriculum review process, in addition to the guidelines described above, the regular curriculum process should be followed. This includes filling out New Course forms (Form D), Consultation forms (Library, and LACC), and Consultations should be included for any departments or colleges that may be impacted by the course.

    Any courses submitted for inclusion into the LAC should meet the Administrative Policies for Liberal Arts Core courses.  Courses that do not meet these requirements, such as those that have a (g) designation, or have non LAC prerequisites, will need to be revised in the regular curriculum process. 

  2. Upon receipt of the Liberal Arts Core Course Proposal Form by the LAC Coordinator, a meeting will be arranged with the proposer(s) and the Liberal Arts Core Committee.  This will be done at the earliest possible convenience to all parties.  The course proposer(s) should be able to provide further information concerning the course proposal, including justification for inclusion into the LAC, assessment methods, student learning outcomes, and course materials (books, reading lists, course packets). 

  3. The LACC will determine, based upon information provided by the course proposer(s) via steps (1) and (2) whether the course is appropriate for inclusion into the LAC.

  4. If the proposed LAC course is part of a curriculum package, the course will also need to be approved by the University Curriculum Committee as part of the regular curriculum review process.

  5. The course will finally need to be approved by the Faculty Senate for inclusion into the LAC – this is the case for current courses or new courses.  If it is a current course, the LAC Coordinator will forward the request to the Faculty Senate to approve the course.  If it is a new course, the request is part of the regular curriculum approval process.

  6. Under certain circumstances, courses may be approved on a trial basis for a specific time, or may be approved for inclusion into the LAC under specific conditions.  Examples of this include indicating that courses such as 590:011fulfills the requirements for Category 3A for Music Majors.  Such circumstances are worked out in consultation with all parties, including the course proposer, the LAC Committee, impacted departments or colleges, and the Faculty Senate.