Master Assessment Plan

Political science is fundamental to helping students understand and act more effectively in the world. We contribute to the college, university, region, and state by examining critical questions about power and public life from local, national, transnational, global, and comparative perspectives in partnership with students and members of the community. We do so to foster the capacities of engaged and critical citizens who actively pursue questions and meanings of political community and civic life. 

 

Our faculty are scholars and teachers who devote their careers to making important contributions in their disciplines through research, writing, and service. We are committed to undergraduate education and strive to maintain the highest intellectual standards, to stimulate political discussion from the abstract and theoretical to the immediately practical, and to encourage students to incorporate critical political viewpoints into their everyday lives and careers. Students are thus prepared for further graduate study, or assuming careers in diverse fields, including government, law, nonprofit and business administration, journalism, teaching, and the private sector. 

 

The Political Science Department strives to embody and cultivate the habits and skills of clear thought, rigorous analysis, and effective argumentation in writing and speech. Given this mission the Department is committed to achieving the following specific goals that promote a deep understanding of the practice of politics.

Departmental Student Learning Outcomes

Degree: Political Science BA

Upon graduation, political science majors will be able to:

  1. demonstrate substantive knowledge and critical thinking about politics
  2. exhibit analytical skills to interpret the political world
  3. communicate political ideas through writing and speech
  4. engage in research using diverse methodological approaches

Degree: Political Science/Economics BA

Student Learning Outcomes:

  1. demonstrate substantive knowledge and critical thinking about

    a. how political systems shape economic policy choices and outcomes, and

    b. the political consequences of economic policy choices

  2. exhibit analytical skills to interpret data

  3. clearly communicate economic and political ideas through writing and speech

  4. engage in research using economic and political interdisciplinary tools and methods

Degree: Political Science Politics/Philosophy/Economics BA

Student Learning Outcome (in addition to Political Science/Economics BA 1-4):

5. describe and apply the arguments of moral, ethical, and political philosophy and the philosophy of knowledge

Degree: Political Science/Social Studies BA

Student Learning Outcome:

1. demonstrate an understanding of how history and social systems shape political decisions

GUR Student Learning Outcomes

1. Recognize the rights, responsibilities, and privileges of participating in, and contributing as a citizen in, a diverse society.

2. Understand and evaluate assumptions, values, and beliefs in context of diverse local, national, and global communities.

Student Learning Objectives Assessed

Assessment MeasuresSLO’s AssessedUse of the Information
Exams, papers, presentations and projects in 100-400 level coursesAll SLOsSummaries of student performance, relative to the SLO’s, are reported annually to the Chair/assessment coordinator by faculty teaching political science courses in the annual assessment meeting. The Chair/assessment coordinator summarizes responses for the department, which then leads to the development of a departmental improvement plan.
Exams, papers, presentations and projects in 400-level senior seminar courses.PLSC BA 1,2,3,4Summaries of student performance, relative to the SLO’s, are reported annually to the Chair/assessment coordinator by faculty teaching senior seminars in the annual assessment meeting. The Chair/assessment coordinator summarizes responses for the department, which then leads to the development of a departmental improvement plan.
Exams, papers, presentations and projects in PLSC 101, 250, 261, 271, 291, 311 and 346GUR 1, 2Summaries of strength and weakness of student performance, relative to GUR outcomes 1 and 2, are reported annually to the Chair/assessment coordinator by faculty teaching GURs. The department will create a departmental improvement plan and a written summary will be sent to the CUE committee for action.
Senior exit surveyPLSC BA 1,2,3,4Students are asked to self-report satisfaction with their skill and knowledge, as measured by their performance, relative to each SLO. This data is summarized, shared and acted upon, as described above.
Papers in writing proficiency coursesPLSC BA 3 and PLSC/ECON BA 3Summaries of student performance, relative to the SLO, are reported annually to the Chair/assessment coordinator by faculty teaching writing proficient courses. This data is summarized, shared and acted upon, as described above.