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Unit Review, Planning, and Curriculum Development 

Participant Roles in the Curriculum Development Process

Something as important as the Review, Planning, and Curriculum Development (R, P, & CD) process requires an enormous amount of energy and coordination on behalf of many individuals and working groups.  It is truly a team effort with each member of the team having a specific role to play.  The following description of roles and responsibilities in the curriculum development process, for various members of the College includes:

Role of the Unit (Department/Program) Faculty

  • Maintain course curricula including assessment.
  • Assume responsibility as a whole for the Unit’s curricula.
  • Create new courses and programs.

Role of the Unit Leader (Department Head/Program Director)

  • Facilitate/oversee the Unit’s R, P, & CD process.
  • Maintain documentation of the Unit’s R, P, & CD process.
  • Maintain and document ongoing assessments.
  • Facilitate connections between the Unit and other elements of the College.
  • Create year-end reports and other necessary documentation.
  • Promote program development and innovation.

Role of the Associate Dean

  • Determine the extent to which a R, P, & CD process has been developed by the Unit (assessment is imbedded in the plan).
  • Identify the degree to which the Unit has accomplished the implementation of a fully developed R, P, & CD process.
  • See that the Unit’s R, P, & CD process has clearly stated goals, objectives, and timetables.
  • Assist the Unit in collecting evidence that determines progress toward accomplishing its goals and objectives.
  • Assist in the maintenance of systematic records of the Unit’s R, P & CD process.
  • Determine if requests (budget, staffing, etc.) are related to stated goals and objectives.
  • Determine if there has been progress made toward goals and objectives related to requests.
  • Help identify and acquire resources for accomplishing goals and objectives of the Unit.
  • Link activities of the Unit with other elements and College priorities.
  • Advocate for courses, program, innovations, and curricular changes.
  • Promote program development and innovation.

Role of the Dean (CAS and WD)

  • Create and support a vision for the development of new programs and courses.
  • Encourage and promote co-curricular and cross disciplinary programs, courses and activities.
  • Promote increased transferability and employability within courses and programs.
  • Encourage, promote, and provide resources for course and program revisions (Perkins). 
  • Work to secure resources for curricular improvement and development.
  • Monitor and review assessment results of curricular and program review.
  • Ensure standards of curricular quality based on assessment data and review.

Role of the Dean of Interdisciplinary Studies and Instructional Support (ISIS), including Curriculum Coordinator

  • Create and support a vision for curriculum development.
  • Create, support, maintain and improve processes to support Unit R, P, & CD.
  • Promote and support faculty members in their curriculum development role.
  • Provide direct support to Unit Leaders and Associate Deans in curriculum development. (Curriculum Coordinator)

Role of the Provost

  • Establish and disseminate the academic vision of the College in collaboration with the academic leaders. Help maintain a vision that is current and pertinent.
  • "Bring to life" the college's vision, mission, values and ends through the curriculum.
  • Coordinate the contribution of the schools, Deans and other academic leaders.
  • Lead strategic internal communication and linkages related to curriculum.
  • Help determine the pace of change and announce/establish or communicate clear conceptual expectations in relation to the curriculum.
  • Rally resources to support the development and implementation of curricula.
  • Determine practical strategies for actualizing the action steps in order to implement the curriculum.


Updated on 20-OCT-09
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