Faculty approves restructuring of Literature, American Civilizations departments
Caroline Stauffer - Editor in Chief
Issue date: 12/8/05 Section: News
The Middlebury College Faculty voted for the creation of a new department and major in English and American Literatures and a new program in American Studies during its December meeting on the afternoon of Monday, Dec. 12. The final count in paper ballots for the proposal sponsored by the Educational Affairs Committee (EAC) was 101 votes in favor, 41 against and six abstentions. A simple majority was required for the proposal to pass.
Monday's vote followed 90 minutes of discussion during the meeting in John McCardell Jr. Bicentennial Hall, but the restructuring of the American Literature major has drawn attention at the College since the proposal was introduced in October and engendered heated debate from both sides since the issue was first raised in the fall of 2003.
Middlebury College President Ronald D. Liebowitz served as meeting chairman and moderated the discussion. Liebowitz adjourned the meeting after proclaiming the resolution a chance for the Faculty to engage the difficult issues that had been raised throughout the process.
"I hope that after this we can convene as a group to continue to do what's best for our students and faculty," Liebowitz said.
Under the new proposal, the major in American Literature and Civilization will cease to exist, and the departments of English and American Literatures will be combined into a single department.
Associate Professor of Classics Jane Chaplin presented the EAC'S proposal. Chaplin emphasized the Committee's belief that both new programs can be staffed for the foreseeable future using existing Faculty resources and that the creation of the new programs can also be seen as "restructuring existing departments."
A Steering Committee will oversee the new American Studies Program and will take responsibility for any future modifications of the program. Majors in American Studies will be required to take five required courses, three electives and five courses in one of four possible areas of concentration. Chaplin said the EAC believes the new program represents a "huge opportunity for interdisciplinary study" at the College.
Monday's vote followed 90 minutes of discussion during the meeting in John McCardell Jr. Bicentennial Hall, but the restructuring of the American Literature major has drawn attention at the College since the proposal was introduced in October and engendered heated debate from both sides since the issue was first raised in the fall of 2003.
Middlebury College President Ronald D. Liebowitz served as meeting chairman and moderated the discussion. Liebowitz adjourned the meeting after proclaiming the resolution a chance for the Faculty to engage the difficult issues that had been raised throughout the process.
"I hope that after this we can convene as a group to continue to do what's best for our students and faculty," Liebowitz said.
Under the new proposal, the major in American Literature and Civilization will cease to exist, and the departments of English and American Literatures will be combined into a single department.
Associate Professor of Classics Jane Chaplin presented the EAC'S proposal. Chaplin emphasized the Committee's belief that both new programs can be staffed for the foreseeable future using existing Faculty resources and that the creation of the new programs can also be seen as "restructuring existing departments."
A Steering Committee will oversee the new American Studies Program and will take responsibility for any future modifications of the program. Majors in American Studies will be required to take five required courses, three electives and five courses in one of four possible areas of concentration. Chaplin said the EAC believes the new program represents a "huge opportunity for interdisciplinary study" at the College.