Assessment Plan - Political Science
Objectives
Our program objectives include providing students with the skills necessary to apply political science knowledge in the appropriate job setting; preparing them for responsible informed citizenship, teaching students to test ideas and theories against evidence in dealing with complex questions of fact and value; and preparing the most academically inclined for graduate studies.
These objectives are achieved by maintaining high academic standards. Political science professors systematically require heavy reading schedules in courses designed for majors. 
Course performance criteria include essay exams and writing assignments that require independent research, use of analytical frameworks, formal citation of sources, and coherent presentation of material. Most written assignments oblige students to draw and defend conclusions based on the research. Since many students come to political science courses with preconceived notions and assumptions about politics we attempt to provide information for critical self awareness and objective criteria for assessing various points of view as a basis for mature judgment. Most classes emphasize student participation in classroom and on-line discussion. Political science faculty members are mindful of the need to accommodate diverse perspectives and respect differences.
Political science maintains a strong intern program that places students in the state legislature, the national Congress, various state and local government agencies, and in many other countries. Intern supervisors have expressed satisfaction with the academic preparation of the students selected and high quality of the internship portfolios they are required to prepare as the basis for academic credit. Interns have also voiced satisfaction with the background and skills learned in the classroom as preparation for their internship. The emphasis on applied knowledge in the internship is particularly appreciated.
The quality of the program in political science is reflective of the strong emphasis on teaching and quality education. Another measure of quality is the ability to keep current with changes in the discipline to offer our students courses that reflect the complex forces affecting all levels of government, including, but not limited to, environmental issues, international markets, state policy, and emerging conflicts both domestic and international.
Expected Outcomes
Expected student learning outcomes include substantive knowledge in the student’s area of concentration; analytical skills in interpreting data and identifying value conflicts in public issues. In addition, students must attain writing proficiency and the ability to engage in independent research.
Student Learning Outcomes Assessed
Outcome Assessment Activity |
Results |
Program Improvements Made on the Basis of Assessment Results |
Conceptual learning assessment |
Too often basic concepts, terms and theories were taught for the first time in advanced, upper division courses |
Assessment of conceptual learning helped us decide to offer all core courses at the 200 level and to add more 300 level courses. This insures that less remedial work is included in advanced courses (ex.senior seminars) In the future, we will assess student performance in senior seminars, to confirm the value of our 'conceptual learning assessment' and the changes made as a result of the findings |
Reflection papers exploring what has been learned by students in internships |
We will be adding a 'learning objectives' statement at the beginning of the internship and encourage students to reflect on that statement in their final reflection paper |
We expect to find ways to improve the internship experience, in light of the more structured final reflection paper |
Alumni survey |
Under consideration |
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