CTW

University Policies Related to CTW

Guidelines Affecting CTW Course Changes

Policy Regarding the Addition/Modification/Removal of CTW Designation to Courses

The underlying principles of the development and adoption of this policy are to assure that: 

  • Student progress toward graduation is not unduly delayed.
  • Degree programs retain direct control over subject matter and degree design.
  • Assignments within CTW courses contain CTW student learning outcomes that can be effectively measured and responded to by the degree major.

Process for Submission

The CTW Leadership Team receives requests to add, modify, or remove a CTW course from department chairs and recommends a course of action to Undergraduate Assessment Committee (UAC). 

Criteria for Review

In all instances the CTW course must retain the following requirements as stipulated in the Senate motion:

  1.  It has at least three credit hours.
  2. It contains assignments that focus on critical thinking as demonstrated through writing.
    1. For purposes of this motion, "assignments that focus on critical thinking as demonstrated through writing" are assignments that use writing to help students develop the "wide range of cognitive skills and intellectual dispositions needed to effectively identify, analyze, and evaluate arguments and truth claims; to discover and overcome personal prejudices; to formulate and present convincing reasons in support of conclusions; and to make reasonable, intelligent decisions about what to believe and what to do." (Bassham, Irwin, Nardone & Wallace, Critical Thinking: A Student's Introduction (McGraw-Hill, 2005) page 1.) Typically, students will have the opportunity to revise at least one assignment during the semester.
    2. These assignments together should constitute a substantial percentage of the course grade.
  3. It has a maximum of a 25/1 student/instructor ratio.  Should a CTW class have more than 25 students, the instructor will receive assistance.  If a CTW class enrolls 51-75 students, the assistance of two people would be needed, and so forth. (See Senate motion, section 3.)
  4. It is taught by a CTW-trained instructor. (See Senate Motion, section 4.)

In addition to the above, requests will be reviewed with consideration given to the following criteria:

  •  the addition/modification/removal of CTW course is  based on assessment of data on student learning outcomes; however, the CTW Leadership Team recognizes that degree programs  have other considerations as well.
  •  the addition/modification/removal of CTW course include provisions to assure that  students on previous catalogs can complete their requirements without undue delay.
  •  the addition/modification/removal of CTW course assures that at least two CTW courses remain in that major and are offered regularly.
  •  the addition/modification/removal of CTW courses proceed through the appropriate approval processes (e.g., Curriculum Committee) required at the department and/or college level if necessary.
  • the addition/modification/removal of CTW course has a positive impact on existing CTW Plan for the department.
  •  the addition/modification/removal of CTW course is part of action plan formulated and based upon reflections in previous CTW Ambassador Annual Reports.
  • the addition/modification/removal of CTW course does not result in an excessive number of courses to track or result in excessively small enrollments, such that the course is at risk of  cancellation or lack of CTW trained faculty to teach them.  
  • the addition/modification/removal of CTW course includes assignments that are small, frequent, and provide opportunities for feedback to, and revision by, students enrolled. 

Guidelines Affecting CTW Course Equivalencies

 

Guidelines Affecting CTW Course Equivalencies

 

Effective for students entering in Fall 2009 and thereafter, all students seeking a baccalaureate degree are required to take two critical thinking through writing (CTW) courses in their major.  Critical thinking through writing courses must meet the following requirements:  be at least three credit hours; contain assignments that focus on critical thinking demonstrated through writing with such assignments constituting a substantial percentage of the course grade; have a maximum of 25:1 student to instructor ratio; and be taught by a CTW-trained instructor.  

 

CTW Course Designations

 

Each academic department has identified at least two CTW courses for each of its majors.  In the University's Undergraduate Catalog each CTW course has a statement added to its description to the effect that this course serves as one of the two Critical Thinking through Writing courses required for that major.   A few degree programs identify their CTW courses by the addition of (CTW) to the course title.  In addition, all CTW courses are flagged in Banner with the course attribute of CTW.  This attribute permits students to search the Class Schedule for CTW courses and facilitates the generation of a Crystal Report of all CTW courses.   The CTW requirement is monitored on a student's academic evaluation (CAPP).   A list of CTW courses for the student's major is provided in an area labeled CTW Requirement (6.00 hours), and the requirement states Met or Not Met, as do other areas of a student's academic program.

   

The development of CTW courses is the responsibility of each degree program.  An approval process is in place for a course to receive a designation as CTW.  This approval process includes submission and approval by the Senate's Undergraduate Assessment Committee of the syllabi and assignments, plan for assessment of student learning, and plan for faculty training.   In most instances, CTW courses also are reviewed by the college-level committee responsible for curriculum.

 

Tracking CTW Course Designations

 

Administrators of the CTW program are responsible for monitoring changes in each academic department's CTW course offerings.  This will be accomplished by the maintenance of a catalog of all active CTW courses approved for each degree major and their effective date of approval.  If departments intend to modify their CTW course offerings--for example, remove the CTW designation from an approved CTW course--they need to notify the CTW Director of such action and its effective date.   Departments are required to review and update all University Catalog information regarding its CTW courses annually at a minimum to assure its accuracy.   Articulation agreements for course equivalency with regard to transfer credits also should be reviewed annually.

 

Transfer Credits

 

The majority, but not all, of the CTW courses evolved from established courses in the major that were  previously equivalent to courses offered at other colleges and universities.   However, CTW courses are built upon an approved university-wide definition of critical thinking and undergo the approval process outlined above.  Thus, to assure the integrity of the CTW graduation requirement and consistency in the  evaluation of course equivalency, all courses that have been directly equated to GSU courses designated as CTW effective fall 2009 will be equated to upper division electives for that subject area (i.e., as 3099 or 4099).  Transfer credits should no longer be automatically equated to CTW courses, as the course content and structure are normally specific to Georgia State (see University Catalog Section 1430), and equivalencies to CTW courses are rare. 

Appeals for CTW Transfer Credit

Students who wish to petition for CTW transfer credit should follow the transfer credit petition procedures established for each college and/or department, with decisions about CTW course equivalents made in consultation with the appropriate department's CTW Ambassador and/or the department chair.

Appeals to Waive CTW Graduation Requirement

 

Such appeals will follow the route outlined in the Student Code of Conduct (Section IV. B. 8): 

 

a)      Appeals of other university-level academic rules and graduation requirements will be made in the first instance by the Academic Director of Student Retention.

b)      If the petition is denied, the student may appeal to the Academic  Regulations Appeals Committee, a subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Admissions and Standards.  The student must appeal in writing and within 10 business days of being notified of the decision of the Academic Director of Student Retention.

c)       The Academic Director of Student Retention will copy the Chair of the Academic Regulations Appeals Committee on all letters to students notifying them of results of their petitions. Every semester, the Academic Director of Student Retention will distribute to the Senate Committee on Admissions and Standards a report that indicates (at a minimum) the number of petitions filed, the number granted, and the number denied. Any member of Admissions and Standards may review the documents of any petition when there is a legitimate educational interest.

Guidelines Affecting Emergency CTW Faculty Substitutions

 

 If a medical emergency or similarly unforeseeable event leaves a CTW class un-staffed, and no CTW trained faculty are available to step in, a department chair may petition the CTW leadership team to allow a suitable non-CTW trained faculty member to teach that class. If no other options are available, then the department chair may petition to use a graduate student to teach that class on a one-time basis, provided the graduate student receives CTW training during the semester. This exception to the rule that CTW trained faculty alone may teach CTW classes will be invoked only in emergencies and on a case by case basis.