Faculty Handbook 2012 - 2013
This committee will be selected by the department or program in consultation with the Associate Provost (Kim Coplin). It will include one individual in the field from a college comparable to Denison, who chairs the committee, and another person in the field from a Ph. D. granting institution. The third member of the committee will be a Denison faculty representative from the same academic division as the department under review. This faculty member, selected by the Office of the Provost in consultation with the department or program under review, will take part in all aspects of the external team's activities, except for meetings with individual members of the department. The department or program in consultation with the Associate Provost has the option of adding a Denison graduate to the committee. The external report will be drafted by the two external reviewers, with the other members of the team serving in an advisory capacity. The individual from the college comparable to Denison will chair the external review. The External Review Committee will be invited to campus. It will have the written self-study, and following a two-day on-campus visit, the Committee will prepare a written response to the following:
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How does the department's program compare with programs at similar institutions? Has the department kept abreast of developments in the field and how are they reflected in the curriculum?
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Comment on what you think to be the most important issues raised in the self-study.
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Comment on the department's contribution to the General Education Program and to other curricular programs of the college (e.g., Honors, First-Year Studies). Would you propose changes?
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Assuming the staff size remains the same, what changes would you suggest in the department's course offerings? Are there compelling reasons to change staff size?
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When appropriate, please comment on the department's physical resources. What changes would you suggest?
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Do you find library resources adequate to support the department's curriculum? What areas of acquisition would you suggest?
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Comment on the structure of the major. Would you propose changes?
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Do you find evidence that students receive adequate training in library, laboratory, or performance skills?
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Do students have a grasp of the discipline? Are they able to talk both specifically and comprehensively about the discipline? Do you find evidence of student interest and involvement in the intellectual life of the department?
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Comment on the quantity and quality of student involvement in research and/or performance activities.
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What weaknesses do you find in the department's program?
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What distinctive strengths do you find in the department's program?
Copies of the written external review will be provided to the department or program under review, the Academic Affairs Council, and the Denison faculty representative on the External Review Committee. The report is to be treated as an internal document with limited access granted to all faculty upon request to the Associate Provost. The faculty is to be informed annually of the existence of such reports.