Chronology Current Month Current Thread Current Date
[Year List] [Month List (current year)] [Date Index] [Thread Index] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Date Prev] [Date Next]

Re: [Phys-l] Federally mandated homework




Hi All:

I have been intrigued by the various discussion on these issues. Overall, I liked John Denker's
analysis of the issue. I checked our institution's policy on this, and I am quite pleased at the wording
(note the section I've bolded that begins "an amount of work")...


A credit hour shall be the unit of University academic credit representing approximately three hours of
work per week by a student throughout a 15 week (fall, spring) semester (exclusive of final
examination period) or its equivalent in total work for short courses. Specifically, and consistent with
Department of Education Program Integrity rules published October 29, 2010, Illinois State University
defines a credit hour as:

"an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of
student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates
not less than

(1) One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of class
student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit,
or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different
amount of time; or

(2) At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other
academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practica,
studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours."

David Marx
Physics Department
Illinois State University