Disciplines List

Whereas, Access and equal opportunity are hallmarks of the community college system in California;

Whereas, The nature of advanced degrees awarded by the California State University and University of California systems are increasingly interdisciplinary;

Whereas, It is critical to safeguard opportunities for diverse pools of applicants when faculty positions are advertised; and

Whereas, It is important to retain minimum qualifications that reflect academic rigor;

Whereas, Most of the disciplines and required academic degrees were originally established over ten years ago;

Whereas, Many colleges and universities are increasingly offering degrees using broad general titles, interdisciplinary titles, and/or narrow discipline titles that do not match the current information in the state Minimum Qualifications (Disciplines List) document; and

Whereas, The Occupational/Vocational disciplines listed in the document increasingly do not reflect the changing workforce occupations;

Whereas, The paper Placement of Courses Within Disciplines was adopted in 1994 and has not been updated in seven years; and

Whereas, The paper Equivalencies to the Minimum Qualifications addresses only briefly the subject of placement of courses within disciplines as it relates to minimum qualifications, and this subject requires a more extended discussion of policies and practices;

Resolved, That the Academic Senate review and revise as needed the paper Placement of Courses Within Disciplines.

Whereas proposals have been made to reduce the standards in mathematics, English and reading to require only a secondary credential to teach basic skills courses in those disciplines, and

Whereas, Resolution 2.01 F01 calls for the Academic Senate to review and revise as needed the paper Placement of Courses Within Disciplines;

Whereas, An understanding of the placement of courses within disciplines is part of a network of related faculty responsibilities including reviewing the Disciplines List, determining equivalency, and establishing faculty service areas (FSAs) : all of which determine who is considered legally qualified to teach designated community college courses; and

Whereas both written and oral testimony given through the consultation process used for the review of minimum qualifications for faculty in the California Community Colleges system known as the "Disciplines List" opposed the changes recommended in Resolutions 10.07 through 10.19, and

Whereas the Standards and Practices Committee of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges recommended to the Executive Committee of the Senate that these resolutions now numbered 10.07 through 10.19 not be adopted by the Spring Plenary Session 1999 based on this evidence,

Resolved that the Academic Senate recommend that the Board of Governors adopt the following proposed change in the Disciplines List:
Add as a discipline in which a Master's degree is not generally expected or available:
Multimedia

Resolved that the Academic Senate recommend that the Board of Governors adopt the following proposed change in the Disciplines List:
Add as a discipline requiring a Master's degree:
Film Studies:
Master's degree in film, drama/theater arts, or mass communication OR
Bachelor's degree in any of the above AND a Master's degree in media studies, English, or communication OR
The equivalent.

Resolved that the Academic Senate recommend that the Board of Governors adopt the following proposed change in the Disciplines List for Computer Science:
Master's degree in computer science or computer engineering OR
Bachelor's degree in either of the above AND Master's degree in mathematics, cybernetics, business administration, accounting, or engineering OR
Bachelor's degree in engineering AND Master's degree in cybernetics, engineering, mathematics, or business administration OR

Resolved that the Academic Senate recommend that the Board of Governors adopt the following proposed change in the Disciplines List for Accounting:
Master's degree in accountancy or business administration with accounting concentration OR
Bachelor's degree in business with accounting emphasis or business administration with accounting emphasis or economics with an accounting emphasis AND Master's in business, business administration, business education, taxation, or finance OR
The equivalent.