Liberal Arts and Sciences Council

The Liberal Arts and Sciences Council is a body appointed by the All University Committee (AUC) and charged by the administration to research, plan, and implement alterations to the Liberal Arts and Sciences program. While it has no authority to authorize policy, it recommends policy to the AUC. As part of the course approval process, the LAS Council makes recommendations concerning LAS requests for courses—whether a course should receive cluster approval or broad LAS approval. However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the AUC Curriculum Committee and of the AUC itself to approve LAS course requests. It is also part of the Council's responsibilities to plan and implement the assessment process for the LAS core program.

LAS Past Issues

LAS Redesign Process

 

• Prior to 2018-19
  • Full report of the General Education and Assessment Institute Team (PDF)
  • LAS General Education and Assessment Institute Team Charge (PDF)
  • Annotated Institutional Learning Goals and Proficiencies (Notes on the Interim Report from the team and LAS Council Members) (PDF)

About the LAS Program

• Liberal Arts and Sciences Core Program (PDF)
• Liberal Arts and Sciences Core Outline (PDF)
• Frequently Asked Questions for Faculty (PDF)
• Liberal Arts and Sciences Curriculum Advising Workshop - October 2008 (MS PowerPoint)
• List of Liberal Arts and Sciences courses that have been approved for cluster designations for 2016/17 (PDF)

2018-19 Liberal Arts and Sciences Council Membership

• Jennifer Berg
• Chris Cratsley (co-chair)
• Rala Diakite
• Emma Downs
• Elizabeth Gordon
• Lynne Kellner
• Michael Lee
• Benjamin Lieberman
• Christa Marr
• Joann Nichols
• Robert Shapiro
• David Svolba
• Elisabet Takehana
• Kisha Tracy (co-chair)
• Danielle Wigmore
• Franca Barricelli 
• Bruno Hicks
• Sean Goodlett
• Pam McCafferty
• John Schaumloffel

AUC Approval Documents

• Cluster Approval Process (PDF)
• Cluster Approval Form (MS Word)

LAS Self-Study Process

• Liberal Arts and Sciences Program Review (PDF)
• Summary of Appendices to Liberal Arts and Sciences Self-Study (PDF)
  • Appendix 1: 2000-2001 ACC Proposal 13 Revising LAS Requirements (PDF)
  • Appendix 2: LAS Study Group Summer 2001 (PDF)
  • Appendix 3: 2005-2006 ACC Proposal 32 Revision of the LAS Curriculum (PDF)
  • Appendix 4: Comparing Fitchburg State University LAS Outcomes to AAC&U LEAP Outcomes (PDF)
  • Appendix 5: Bibliography of Recent Publications Authored or Referenced by LAS Council (PDF)
  • Appendix 6: part 1 LEAP High Impact Educational Practices (PDF)
  • Appendix 6: part 2 LEAP Principles of Excellence (PDF)
  • Appendix 7: Fitchburg State University Core Values, Mission and Vision (PDF)
  • Appendix 8: Fitchburg State University Strategic Plan (PDF)
  • Appendix 9: LAS Work Incorporated into Fitchburg State University Development Days (PDF)
  • Appendix 10: Report on Faculty Teaching Liberal Arts and Sciences Courses (PDF)
  • Appendix 11: Analysis of the Courses Students Take as Part of the LAS Curriculum (PDF)
  • Appendix 12: LAS Cluster Approval Form (PDF)
  • Appendix 13: Syllabus Analysis of Learning Outcomes in High Enrollment LAS Courses (PDF)
  • Appendix 14: Analysis of Academic Questions from NSSE 2004-2012 (PDF)
  • Appendix 15: part 1 Aesthetic Appreciation and Expression in the Arts Cover Sheet and Rubric (PDF)
  • Appendix 15: part 2 Citizenship through Critical Analysis of Events Cover Sheet and Rubric (PDF)
  • Appendix 15: part 3 Ethical Reasoning When Making Choices Cover Sheet and Rubric (PDF)
  • Appendix 15: part 4 Problem Solving through Inquiry and Data Analysis Cover Sheet and Rubric (PDF)
  • Appendix 15: part 5 Problem Solving through Quantitative Literacy Cover Sheet and Rubric (PDF)
  • Appendix 15: part 6 Written Communication Cover Sheet and Rubric (PDF)
  • Appendix 16: part 1 Aesthetic Appreciation Assessment for the LAS Review (PDF)
  • Appendix 16: part 2 Citizenship Assessment for the LAS Review (PDF)
  • Appendix 16: part 3 Ethical Reasoning Assessment for the LAS Review (PDF)
  • Appendix 16: part 4 Problem Solving Assessment for the LAS Review (PDF)
  • Appendix 16: part 5 Written Communication Assessment for the LAS Review (PDF)
  • Appendix 17: Liberal Arts and Sciences Program Changes (PDF)