Modify an Existing Course (CM)
| Download: | Course Modification Template (Word file) |
Courses in the course bank, or to use new terminology - Course Catalog, can be modified. Course modifications require curriculum action to accomplish the changes/modifications.
Changes to the following course elements can be done via a course modification proposal:
|
Course Element |
Course Element |
Course Element |
|---|---|---|
title |
credits |
description |
activity type (LEC, L+L, LAB) |
prerequisites and/or corequisites |
periods |
|
course notes |
last year/term (course deletion) |
competencies |
prefix |
course number |
outline |
course type (Acad, Occ) |
modularization of course |
cross-reference |
load formula |
instructor load |
repeats |
Things to Consider When Modifying a Course
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There are several course elements that are monitored closely by the District Curriculum Office due to the effect of the change on existing courses, programs, class schedules, and catalog-building processes. These types of changes are noted below.
The Curriculum Processing Calendar also contains specific information on these types of special deadlines.
Special curriculum deadlines apply for modifications to:
- Prefix/Number/Suffix
- Credits
- Prerequisites
- Last/Year Term (course deletions)
When changes to the above course elements are being planned, it is the responsibility of the initiating college curriculum staff to determine the impact of the deletion or modification on other courses and programs. Christine and Yvonne will communicate GCC's intent to other college curriculum personnel so that all parties affected may proceed with the development of any additional proposals in order to align with the proposed change.
Special Deadlines for effective dates:
Fall: must be approved by the Governing Board in February
Spring: must be approved by the Governing Board in September
Summer: must be approved by the Governing Board in February
It takes approximately three (3) months processing time before the proposal is ready to be reviewed by the Governing Board. Please plan your changes accordingly and allow plenty of time to avoid delay! - We must be careful to not modify a course to the degree where the course content is affected.
For example, deletion or addition of major content areas would require the course to be processed as a new course. Additionally, if skills or knowledge that students are expected to acquire are significantly changed, this would require the existing course be deleted and for us to submit the updated course as a new course proposal.
Helpful Information/Tips
- The District Curriculum website is the main resource for course information. It lists all credit courses in the course bank, including previous versions as well as current course information. The most current version of a course has an Active Range that ends in 9999.
- Always consult with the department chair and instructional council representative(s) of your department (see list of members on the IC web site) before proceeding, to see if they will support the course modification proposal. We can't stress enough how important this is! Communication with the IC beforehand helps to navigate through the curriculum process with greater success.
- Please be aware that course modifications can impact other courses and occupational programs, depending on the modification. Yvonne will research the impact on other courses, GCC's programs, and programs at other colleges. Additional course and program modifications may be necessary as a result of the proposed course modifications.
Steps to Modify a Course
- Using the Course Modification Template (available for download at top of page) note all of the information necessary for processing the course modification. Please fill in the requested information as completely as possible. Areas typed in blue are mandatory and must be filled in. Please enter the changes you desire, leaving the course elements that are not changing blank.
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Provide a brief rationale for the modification and any additional information to help clarify the development of the proposal and facilitate the approval process. This is
very
important.
For example, if the development of the proposal is an outcome of early articulation, describe how the proposal is in response to articulation/transfer needs. These comments may be incorporated into the proposal for course equivalency prior to submitting the course for university evaluation purposes. - When completed, email an electronic version of the draft to Christine Moore and copy Yvonne McMillan. Christine will review the proposal to ensure it meets the District Curriculum Committee (DCC) format and standards. Christine may need to meet with you to review the proposal, as we depend on you as the content expert to advise us on any questions or concerns that may be raised.
- Yvonne will input the proposal into the District Curriculum Office (DCO) form and return it to you for your review and approval.
Processing the Course Modification Proposal
- Once you've approved the proposal, Yvonne will send it to the instructional council for their review and approval. The IC has ten days to review and vote on course proposals.
- The proposal will be placed on an upcoming meeting agenda of the College Curriculum Committee (see Curriculum Processing Calendar. You or someone familiar with your proposal should plan to attend that meeting to present it to the committee. The committee occasionally has questions that, if unanswered, can cause proposals to be tabled until the next meeting when someone can be there to answer them. This holds up the already lengthy curriculum process.
- Assuming that the IC and college curriculum committee approve your proposal, it will then be submitted to the DCO to be placed on a meeting agenda of the DCC. If the DCC approves the proposal, it will go forward to the Governing Board for final approval.
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Once the course is Governing Board approved, the District IT department will enter the changes in the course catalog and the DCO will enter the updated course on the District Curriculum web site, a process that usually takes two weeks.
Yvonne will send status updates to keep you informed of the proposal's progress throughout the curriculum process.
