The Post-9/11 Literary Study course, taught by English teacher Michael Mulvey, is one of three newly-approved classes this year. But what goes into starting a new course?

Mulvey says that the process looks simple. First, a teacher proposes his or her idea to the respective Department Head. The teacher must have prepared a syllabus, reading materials, assessments, and a 1-page proposal sheet describing the class.

Head of the History Department Dr. Danton Kostandirithes explains the many factors department heads need to consider before they give approval. In an email, he wrote, “We mostly consider what other electives they might impact?  What about them would interest students?  Should they be honors or regular?  Do they fill a niche (for example our new course on World Religions filled what the department considered an important one!)?  Who will be teaching it?  How would it impact staffing?”

If the Department Head supports it, the class is proposed in a meeting of the Department Chairs. If they vote to pass it, then it moves to the final step, Academic Council.

The process is easy for a teacher, but few proposals get approved. Head of the English Department Pamela Clubb says “yearly, faculty members propose many classes.” Anywhere from two to four proposals come up from each department. However very few make it past the final step. Clubb says that the deciding factors are student appeal and scheduling.

As students should look forward to new electives, they should also appreciate the processes behind their creation.