UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
Western Kentucky University
745-5759

REPORT TO THE UNIVERSITY CURRICULUM COMMITTEE

DATE:  November 29, 2007

FROM:	UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE

The University College submits the following items for consideration:

Type of Item	Description of Item	
Action	New Course Proposal
SM 300, Systems Management & Practice
Contact:  Dr. Thad Crews
thad.crewsii@wku.edu    5-4643	
Action	Revise a Program
Business Systems Management, Reference #729
Contact:  Dr. Thad Crews
thad.crewsii@wku.edu    5-4643	
Action	Revise a Program
Women’s Studies Program, Reference #161
Contact:  Dr. Jane Olmsted
jane.olmsted@wku.edu  5-5787	

						Proposal Date: 9/10/2007

University College
Department of Computer Information Systems
Proposal to Create a New Course
(Action Item)

Contact Person:  Dr. Thad Crews, Jr.    Email:thad.crewsii@wku.edu      Phone: 745-4643

1.	Identification of proposed course:

1.1	Course prefix (subject area) and number:  SM 300

1.2	Course title: Systems Management and Practice

1.3	Abbreviated course title: Systems Mgt and Practice

1.4	Credit hours and contact hours: 3.0

1.5	Type of course: Lecture (L)

1.6	Prerequisites/co-requisites: None

1.7	Course catalog listing: 
A foundational study of systems management and technology from theoretical, managerial and practical perspectives.

2.	Rationale:

2.1	Reason for developing the proposed course
Students often struggle with the integration of specific technologies and practices and how those integrations impact the activities of a knowledge worker as well as outcomes in an organization. This course will provide an overview of the discipline and how the various areas of study fit into the organizational environment and overall global marketplace. This will provide the student a contextual foundation that will support future study in the discipline’s various fields.

2.2	Projected enrollment in the proposed course: 30 / semester

2.3	Relationship of the proposed course to courses now offered by the department: 
Our department offers a similar course (CIT 300) for CIT majors, in which students are introduced to the principal areas in the field, and develop their expectations for success in the program. Students also establish camaraderie with their fellow majors that carries over to future courses. We hope to replicate a similar social learning environment in SM 300.

SM 300 differs from CIT 300 in terms of its content. The CIT program is very technical and students in CIT 300 are expected to install on their personal computers various operating systems, proprietary software applications, and simulation packages that are unique to the CIT major. In SM 300 students will focus on the opportunities and challenges of integrating technologies across organizations. Subsequent SM courses examine and explore a single technology or related area of study. Those later SM courses will benefit from the platform provided by SM 300.

2.4	Relationship of the proposed course to courses offered in other departments: 
Although SM 300 includes some managerial topics, this course differs from a Management course in the technology emphasis. In SM 300 the essential theme is technology and its role in the organization. 

2.5	Relationship of the proposed course to courses offered in other institutions: 
SM300 is similar to classes in Information Systems Management offered at several schools in KY including:
Eastern Kentucky University – College of Business and Technology – CIS 300 IT Management
Murray State University – College of Business and Public Affairs/Technology – CIS 304 Principles of Information Systems
Northern Kentucky University – College of Informatics – IFS 300 Management Information Systems
University of Kentucky – Gatton College – DIS 320 Management Information Systems

At some schools the systems management course is taught as a capstone class.  In such cases, the course assumes a strategic perspective with a goal of synthesizing the concepts taught in previous courses.  More often, the systems management class is taught early in the program of study and considered to be a foundation for subsequent courses. We are following the latter approach.

3.	Discussion of proposed course:

3.1	Course objectives:
-	To develop an appreciation for the complexity and variety of the technology and role of systems management in various organizational settings.
-	To explore the relationship between traditional practices and new opportunities available through evolving technology practices.
-	To enhance critical thinking, especially in terms of problem solving with technology.
-	To develop camaraderie and community among majors early in their core course sequence. 

3.2	Content outline: 
•	System environment and life cycle. Organizations deploy information systems and technologies for a variety of reasons. This class will explore the environments in which systems are developed, deployed and managed.
•	System review and evaluation. System development is inherently a risky undertaking and associated decisions are carefully scrutinized. Students will learn to develop reviews, analyses, and recommendations regarding system investments.
•	Systems configuration management. A primary responsibility of systems management professionals is to configure and control organizational systems. This course will introduce the basic principles associated with this.
•	System cost management. Organizations are increasingly concerned with the costs associated with their systems and technology investments. Systems analysts must be familiar with issues such as forecasting and measuring performance data and return on investment.

3.3	Student expectations and assessment:

Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding and theory of technology integration by writing commentary on realistic case studies and readings. Additional methods of assessment may include midterm and final exams and their initial development on their Systems Management Portfolio. This portfolio includes select student writings, their personal website, and their group projects, and the portfolio will be expanded in future SM courses.

3.4	Tentative texts and course materials:
•	IT Systems Management: Designing, Implementing, and Managing World-Class Infrastructures, Rich Schiesser, Prentice Hall Pearson (2004).

Other possible texts:
•	Everything is miscellaneous: the power of the new digital disorder, David Weinberger (HD30.2 .W4516 2007)
•	Handbook of systems management, development and support (QA76.76 .A65 H36)
•	Information systems innovation and diffusion: issues and directions (T58.5 .I533)
•	Managing information across the enterprise (HD30.2 .W97)
•	Best practices in information technology: how corporations get the most value from exploiting their digital investments (HD30.2 .C669)
•	Information technology for management: making connections for strategic advantage (T58.6 .T76)

4.	Resources:

4.1	Library resources: Present library holdings are sufficient.

4.2	Computer resources: University computing resources are sufficient.  In addition, many students in the SM program will have a personal computing system that meets specifications recommended by the program.  Students are responsible for providing their own Internet access. 

5.	Budget implications:

5.1	Proposed method of staffing: The present SM faculty resources are sufficient for this class.

5.2	Special equipment needed: None.

5.3	Expendable materials needed: None.

5.4	Laboratory materials needed: None.

6.	Proposed term for implementation: Spring 2008

7.	Dates of prior committee approvals:

		Computer Information Systems Department	          09/11/2007	

		University College Curriculum Committee	          11/12/2007	

		University Curriculum Committee					

		University Senate							

Attachment:  Bibliography, Library Resources Form, Course Inventory Form

						Proposal Date: 9/10/2007

University College
Department of Computer Information Systems
Proposal to Revise a Program
(Action Item)

Contact Person:  Dr. Thad Crews, Jr.    Email:thad.crewsii@wku.edu      Phone: 745-4643

1.	Identification of program:

1.8	Reference Number: 729
1.9	Program Title: Systems Management
1.10	Credit Hours: 128 hours

2.	Identification of the proposed program changes:
•	Change the name of the program from “Business Systems Management” to “Systems Management.”
•	Drop 226 and 248 as required courses, while adding 300 and making both 446 and 447 required courses.
•	Articulate professional areas of emphasis within the program electives.

3.	Detailed program description:
	
Current Program:

CIS 226 Introduction to Visual Programming (3)
CIS 248 Systems Integration (3)
SM 346 Business Resource Development (3)
SM 347 Introductory Business Telecommunications (3)
SM 348 Business Systems Management (3)
SM 443 Business Intelligence (3)
SM 444 Information Systems Management (3)
Either SM 446 Security, Risk, and Threat Management (3)
Or SM 447 Electronic Commerce Systems (3)
Professional Electives (9) 

(current catalog description)

Major in Business Systems Management
The BSM major (reference number 729) requires 128 credit hours and leads to a bachelor of science degree. No minor or second major is required. All SM courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. Enrollment in the BSM program is limited and based on student qualifications. 
Applicants seeking admission to the CIS program must:
(1) Be admitted to Western Kentucky University.
(2) Complete a minimum of 60 hours of course work applicable to the baccalaureate degree with a minimum overall grade point average of 2.5.
(3) Complete ACCT 200, ACCT 201, CIS 141, ECON 202, ECON 203, ECON 206, MATH 116 or higher and COMM 161 with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 in the courses listed above.

	Proposed Program:

SM 300 Systems Management and Practice (3)
SM 346 Business Resource Development (3)
SM 347 Introductory Business Telecommunications (3)
SM 348 Business Systems Architecture (3)
SM 443 Business Intelligence (3)
SM 444 Information Systems Management (3)
SM 446 Security, Risk, and Threat Management (3)
SM 447 Electronic Commerce Systems (3)
Program Electives (24)

(new catalog description)
Overview of Systems Management:
Systems Management (SM) is an interdisciplinary major with a technical emphasis. Systems Management applies an Informatic perspective to the management of people, information, processes and systems within the organization.  The SM major offers an interdisciplinary approach to the design, application, use and management of information and communication technologies and systems.   Courses in the SM program emphasize the human, technological, and organizational perspective.  Students also take elective courses in various applied technologies or allied disciplines that are major information systems users.   In a knowledge-oriented economy, organizations succeed on the basis of their innovation and management of information.  The SM major is designed to help students prepare for a rewarding career in this dynamic field. 

Major in Systems Management
The SM major (reference number 729) requires 128 credit hours and leads to a bachelor of science degree. No minor or second major is required. All SM courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. Enrollment in the SM program is limited and based on student qualifications. 
Applicants seeking admission to the SM program must:
(1) Be admitted to Western Kentucky University.
(2) Complete a minimum of 60 hours of course work applicable to the baccalaureate degree with a minimum overall grade point average of 2.5.
All students complete the eight-course (24-hour) core curriculum consisting of SM 300, 346, 347, 348, 443, 444, 446, and 447. Each student also completes at least one five-course (15-hour) area of emphasis, each area having its own required courses. Students must also complete 9 hours of relevant electives to be selected in consultation with the advisor. Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all SM courses.

[all of the following is NEW]
Core Requirement completed by all majors: 24 hours
SM 300, 346, 347, 348, 443, 444, 446, and 447

Program Electives: 24 hours
Electives include 9 hours of relevant electives completed in consultation with advisor, and a 15-hour area of emphasis from one of the following areas:

Information Systems
CIT 302, CIT 310, CIT 330 (or CIS 226), CIT 350, CIT 370

Technical Training
MGT 473, COMM 345, COMM 346, COMM 349, PSY 410

Technical Writing
ENG 301, ENG 306, ENG 307, ENG 401, ENG 415

Technical Sales
MKT 325, MKT 328, MKT 424, MKT 425, PSY 371, JOUR 341

Industrial/Manufacturing Systems
AMS 310, AMS 342, AMS 356, AMS 371, AMS 392, AMS 394, AMS 396, AMS 430 

Health-Care Informatics
HCA 340, HCA 342, HCA 343, HCA 344, HCS 346, HCA 442, HCA 445, HCA 446

Geographic Information Systems
GEOG 316, GEOG 317, GEOG 417, GEOG 419, GEOG 443, GEOG 477

Digital Media Technologies
CIS 320, BCOM 264, BCOM 366, BCOM 367, BCOM 480

Criminology Systems
SOC 232, SOC 330, SOC 332, SOC 433, PS 328

Military Systems (Civilian Career Option)
MIL 301, MIL 302, MIL 401, LEAD 200, LEAD 475, (ROTC students may take MIL 402)

Government Systems
PS 110, PS 210, PS 314, PS 338, PS 355, PS 412, PS 440

Human Resource Systems
MGT 311, MGT 400, MGT 411,  MGT 414, MGT 416, MGT 473

4.	Rationale for the proposed program change:

The proposed name change will more accurately reflect the interdisciplinary offering of this program in the University College. While the area of emphasis options continue to include courses in business, additional options have been added which include courses from each of the four other colleges offering baccalaureate coursework and degrees.  The proposed title of the program reflects the broader range of options available in the program.

The professional area of emphasis grew out of recommendations by our professional advisory board.  It will benefit students by offering them broader perspectives on the application of system technologies and/or exposure to fields that are major consumers of information technology systems.

The core of the program will remain the same except for these changes: CIS 226 and CIS 248 are being removed from the required course sequence. This change is because programming skills are being deemphasized in the program. SM 300 is being added as a required course. SM 300 provides an overview of the discipline and how the various areas of study fit into the organizational environment and overall global marketplace. SM 446 and 447 are increasingly relevant topics, and as such both are being added as required courses. (Previously students selected either SM 446 or SM 447.)

5.	Proposed term for implementation and special provisions: Spring 2008

6.	Dates of prior committee approvals:

		Computer Information Systems Department	         	09/11/07	

		University College Curriculum Committee		11/12/07	

		University Curriculum Committee					

		University Senate							

Attachment:  Program Inventory Form

Proposal Date: November 1, 2007

University College
Women’s Studies Program
Proposal to Revise A Program
(Action Item)

Contact Person: Jane Olmsted, jane.olmsted@wku.edu, 745-5787

1.	Identification of program:

1.11	Current program reference number:  494
1.12	Current program title: Women’s Studies Minor	
1.13	Credit hours: 21

2.	Identification of the proposed program changes: 

Approved electives to add: SOCL 359, SOCL 362, RELS 333; electives to delete: FLK 371, FLK 480, HIST 353

3.	Detailed program description:

Current Catalog Listing	Proposed Catalog Listing

Category A (Sciences and Social Sciences)
CFS 495	Relationship Violence		
PS 373	Minority Politics		
PS 374	Women and Politics		
PH 464	Women’s Health		
PSY 430	Psychology of Women		
SOCL 355	Sociology of Gender
SOCL 435	Family Violence		
SOCL466	Gender/Families		
SWRK 325	Social Work/Women in Society	
WOMN 421	Women and Science

Category A (Sciences and Social Sciences)
CFS 495	Relationship Violence		
PS 373	Minority Politics		
PS 374	Women and Politics		
PH 464	Women’s Health		
PSY 430	Psychology of Women		
SOCL 355	Sociology of Gender
SOCL 359  	Sexuality and Society	
SOCL 362  	Race, Class, & Gender
SOCL 435	Family Violence		
SOCL466	Gender/Families		
SWRK 325	Social Work/Women in Society	
WOMN 421	Women and Science

	

Current Catalog Listing (cont.)	Proposed Catalog Listing (cont.)

Category B (Humanities)
ANTH 343	Anthropology of Gender		
ENG 360	Gay and Lesbian Literature		
ENG 386	Women Writers			
ENG 387	Studies in Autobiography		
ENG 461	Feminist Literary Theory		
ENG 488	Literature of the Victorian Age	
ENG 496 	Women’s Poetry			
ENG 497	Women’s Fiction
FLK 371 	Urban Folklife	Delete			
FLK 480 	Women’s Folklife	Delete	 
HIST 353	Indian Peoples of N. America	Delete	
HIST 370	Modern South Asia			
HIST 446	American Legal History		
HIST 453	Women in American History		
PHIL 201	Love and Friendship
WOMN 321	Women and Journalism

Category B (Humanities)
ANTH 343	Anthropology of Gender		
ENG 360	Gay and Lesbian Literature		
ENG 386	Women Writers			
ENG 387	Studies in Autobiography		
ENG 461	Feminist Literary Theory		
ENG 488	Literature of the Victorian Age	
ENG 496 	Women’s Poetry			
ENG 497	Women’s Fiction	
HIST 370	Modern South Asia			
HIST 446	American Legal History		
HIST 453	Women in American History		
PHIL 201	Love and Friendship
RELS 333  	Women and Religion
WOMN 321	Women and Journalism

4.	Rationale for the proposed program change:

New courses (RELS 333) or previously existing courses that have been enhanced to meet the requirements for the women’s studies minor (SOCL 359, SOCL 362) add important dimensions to the minor. Although the minor includes a course in gay and lesbian literature, there is no other course focusing on sexuality; SOCL 359 Sexuality & Society will provide that. Although a number of other electives address diversity issues (ENG 387, PS 373 and 374, for example), the sociological perspective is critical to understanding how race, class, and gender work in our society (SOCL 362). Women & Religion (RELS 333) is the only elective addressing religion; its addition has been on the “wish list” for many years. 

Electives to delete are no longer offered (FLK 480) or are no longer taught by the faculty who originally taught the courses in such a way as to be appropriate for the women’s studies minor (FLK 371, HIST 353). Faculty and/or department heads have been notified about these changes. 

5.	Proposed term for implementation and special provisions (if applicable):
	Fall 2008

6.	Dates of prior committee approvals:
	Women’s Studies Program/Division:		    November 7, 2007	
	University College Curriculum Committee		__November 12, 2007_
	University Curriculum Committee			___________________
	University Senate					___________________

Attachment:  Program Inventory Form