THE UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON GENERAL EDUCATION LEARNING OUTCOMES AND ASSESSMENT STRUCTURE (1 August 2014) Institutional Learning Objectives Learning Goals and Objectives for the GE Program Learning Outcomes for the GE Required Areas GE Area-Approved Courses Assessment Plans Assessment Reports Approved by the President s Cabinet Spring 2014 Develop and use the intellectual and practical skills that are the foundation of personal and professional development and lifelong learning. Approved by the Faculty Senate on 9 May 2014 Goal: Students will demonstrate analytic reasoning and critical thinking within and across disciplines. Students will apply inductive, deductive, and other systems of logical analysis to solving problems. Approved objectives for Curriculum 2000 (1997). EP objectives new on 9 May 2014. First-Year Seminar (FYS) With the completion of the FYS, students will be able to: - demonstrate critical thinking and reading skills. -participate in academic discussions. - articulate the components of the Ignatian identity and mission of The University of Scranton. - articulate the Habits of the Mind and describe their value in an intellectual life. From syllabi of courses which are approved for one or more GE designations. Specific learning outcomes from individual courses are mapped to the GE LO goals and LO goals of other programs as appropriate. First-Year Seminar (FYS) list of FYS-Approved All required courses and required course sequencess 1 have an assessment plan in place. Courses that are part of the distribution requirement 2 are being addressed in a variety of ways. 1 Required courses/sequences: EP-FYS, EP-FYW (including WRTG 107 or 105/106), EP-FYD (including C/IL 102 and C/IL 104), EP-FYO (including COMM 100), PHIL 120 and 140, T/RS 121 and 122. 2 requirements : W, Q, E, S, CH, CL, CF, CA, CI, D, P elective Collection of student writing from fall and spring seminar sections. Evaluation of a specific learning outcome by committee. Annually. Assessment Reports are referenced below. Report: First-Year Seminar Assessment, Fall 2014 [Dr. Brigid Frein] Submitted 20 June 2014 1 P a g e
Goal: Students will demonstrate proficiency in verbal (written and oral) communication within and across disciplines. Learning Objective. Students will communicate effectively in writing and orally, disseminating thoughts and ideas to persuade, defend, and/or inform audiences in discipline-specific and general venues. Learning Objective. Students will demonstrate clarity, coherence, rigor, scholarly tone, and stylistic control, which will be achieved by applying proofreading, editing and revising strategies to their work and the work of their peers. Students will develop general and disciplinespecific skills to deliver effective, audienceappropriate oral presentations using visual, auditory, and technological aids Learning Objective. Students will analyze, understand, and produce verbal language in a variety of forms, including works of fiction and nonfiction, dramatic and poetic texts, First-Year Writing (FYW) With completion of the FYW requirement the student will be able to: - employ flexible strategies for generating, organizing, revising, editing, and proofreading writing of varying lengths to improve development of ideas and appropriateness of expression. -find, gather, read, summarize, evaluate, analyze, and synthesize texts in a purposeful manner in order to generate and support writing. -write for different audiences, purposes, and contexts. -integrate their own ideas with those of others using accurate and appropriate documentation. -develop skills related to critical self-assessment and reflection on the process of writing. -write in standardized English using appropriate syntax, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. First-Year Oral Communication(FYO) With completion of the FYO requirement, the student will be able to : -structure and organize information according to purpose, audience and situation -develop and share ideas in both formal and informal WRTG 105-106, 107 First-Year Oral Communication (FYOapproved elective) or COMM 100 core course list of FYO-Approved Pre-test (placement)/post-test conducted each semester; final papers evaluated for chosen SLOs each semester. Evaluation by committee using rubrics developed within the Department of English and Theatre. Annually. For COMM 100: Collection of videos of student presentations, early in the semester and late in the semester. Evaluation by committee using rubrics developed within the Department of Communication. (Schedule and timeline: Annually, first report due 1 July 2014) For EP-FYO electives, assessment is performed at the course level. Report in September 2014 [Dr. Teresa Grettano] Report in July 2014 [Dr. Rebecca Mikesell] Report: BIOL 141L & 142L EP FYO and EP FYD Student Learning Objectives for Spring 2014 [Dr. Janice Voltzow] 2 P a g e
essays, speeches, every-day conversation, and digital communications. situations using verbal and nonverbal communication -create and maintain a relationship between the speaker and the audience -engage in effective listening and self-reflection Each EP-FYO approved course has its own assessment elements. (Schedule: Annually for pilot courses. Submitted 19 June 2014 Goal: Students will demonstrate technological and information literacy. Students will demonstrate competency in finding, evaluating, analyzing, and effectively using various sources of information. Students will competently identify and employ contextually appropriate technologies to support the acquisition and dissemination of new knowledge. First-Year Digital Technology (FYD) With completion of the FYD requirements, the student will be able to: -conduct effective search strategies to gather information suitable to the topic, audience, purpose, context and speaker -evaluate sources for credibility -use digital technology to analyze and process data and information -employ digital technology to deliver results in appropriate forms First-Year Digital Technology (FYD)- approved elective or C/IL 102 core course list of FYD-approved For C/IL 102: Pre- and post-testing done every semester. Evaluation by committee within the Department of Computing Sciences. (Annually) For EP-FYD electives, assessment is performed at the course level. Each EP-FYD approved course has its own assessment elements. (Schedule: Every time the course is offered for pilot courses.) Report: C/IL 102 and C/IL 102L Outcomes and Assessment [Dr. John Beidler] Submitted - 26 May 2014 Report: INTD 184 Eloquentia Perfecta Foundations. Fall 2013 and Spring 2014 [Dr. Y. Bi, Prof M B Holmes, Prof. P Jackowitz, Dr. R Mikesell, Prof B Moylan, Prof B Oldham, Dr. K Pavlick, Prof. R Plishka] Submitted 30 June 2014 Report: BUS 184 EP: Oral and Information Proficiency, Spring 2014 [Dr. Douglas Boyle] Submitted 30 June 2014 Students will recognize and demonstrate sensitivity to ethical issues regarding the use of technologies, especially communication technologies (e.g., privacy, information sharing). 3 P a g e
Possess broad knowledge of the human condition, understanding the world in its physical and natural aspects, as well as the philosophical and theological basis for modern thought, faith and belief. Goal: Students will demonstrate analytic reasoning and critical thinking within and across disciplines. Students will demonstrate familiarity with and differentiate among the objects, methods, ethics, and conclusions of natural and social-behavioral scientific inquiry. Students will comprehend fundamental scientific principles and arguments. Quantitative Reasoning (Q) -Students will construct statement about quantities, which are valid under the standards of logic and mathematics. -Students will be able to identify logical and mathematical flaws. -All students will use mathematics to communicate ideas. -All students will use mathematical, quantitative or statistical models (i.e. ones based on an axiomatic system) for concrete or abstract problem solving or decision making. Quantitative Reasoning (Q) list of Q- approved (Q) Course level assessment. Volunteers in Jan 2014 and spring 2014. Students will create, solve, interpret, formulate, and execute basic mathematical models and concepts. Students will communicate and represent quantitative information or results numerically, symbolically, orally, visually, or in writing. Natural Science (E) -Students will understand the empirical character of natural science and the role of theories and models in the interpretation and design of experiment. -Students will understand some of the historical and societal context of natural science. Social/ Behavioral Sciences (S) -Student will demonstrate an understanding of the factors that shape human behavior in terms of the history and current state of a social/behavioral science discipline or subject area -Students will acquire skills of inquiry, analysis, and Natural Science (E) list of E-approved Social/Behavioral (S) list of S-Approved (E) Course level assessment. Volunteers in Jan 2014 and spring 2014. BIO 110-111 (E) Structure and Function of the Human Body. Assessment at department level. (S) Course level assessment. Volunteers in Jan 2014 and spring 2014. PSYCH 110 (S) Intro to Psychology. Assessment at department level ECO 153 (S) Princ of Microeconomics and ECO 154 (S) Princ of Macroeconomics. Assessment at department level Report: Assessment Activity Report BIOL 110-111 Spring 2014. [Dr. Maria Squire, Prof. Tara Faye] Submitted 18 June 2014 4 P a g e
Communication relevant to a social/behavioral discipline or subject area. -Students will be able to integrate aspects of the social/behavioral science discipline or area of study with other fields and with the broader contemporary human experience. Goal: Students will develop historically, aesthetically, and socially grounded understanding of the humanities and expressive arts that encompass the variety of human cultural production. Students will analyze and interpret primary historical documents, works of art, literature, or performance; and historical, critical and theoretical texts concerned with history and culture. Students will demonstrate familiarity with and differentiate among a range of methods, objects, and conventions of disciplinary inquiry within the humanities. Humanities History (CH) -Students will demonstrate an understanding of the working methods historians use. -Students will demonstrate an understanding of the development of particular human societies through the study of the record of the past. Humanities Foreign Language (CF) Skills Acquisition: -Students will demonstrate a comprehension of the target language appropriate for their course level. Culture: -Students will identify major figures, works and movements which define the target culture. -Students will describe the dominant mores and characteristics of the target culture. Humanities-History (CH) list of CH-approved Humanities-Foreign Language (CF) list of CF-approved (CH) Course level assessment. Volunteers HIST 110-111 (CH) History of the United States. Assessment at the department level. (CF) Course level assessment. Volunteers Students will recognize and appraise the value of literary, historical, and social thinking as modes of Humanities-Literature (CL) -Students will identify and use critical terms and tools employed by literary scholars. -Students will demonstrate an understanding of major literary Humanities-Literature (CL) list of CL-approved (CL) Course level assessment. Volunteers 5 P a g e
engaging the world and its inhabitants. Students will generate, interpret, and value multilingual or intercultural perspectives. Students will select and employ creative, imaginative, and collaborative techniques of artistic expression. figures, genres, and movements both past and present. Humanities-Art and Music (CA) -Students will demonstrate an understanding of the cultural products (art and music) of world societies, past and present. -Students will demonstrate the skills and methodologies of art history and/or music literature Humanities-Theatre (CA) -Students will demonstrate both comprehension and practical ability in the specific skill area (performance, design, technical production, dramatic criticism) that makes up the focus of a course. -Students will study the cultural context within which all theatre is created. -Students will consider the social political, economic, and artistic ramifications of the plays read and/or produced. -Students will enhance their own creative capacities through the practical application of various theatre skills. Humanities-Art and Music (CA- art and Music)) list of CA-Approved Humanities Theatre (CA-Theatre) list of CA-approved (CA) Course level assessment. Volunteers (CA) Course level assessment. Volunteers Humanities-Interdisciplinary (CI) -Students will meet all goals and objectives articulated in at least two of the five distinct Humanities areas listed above (CL,CH,CF and CA Art/Music and Theatre) Humanities- Interdisciplinary (CI) list of CI-approved (CI) Course level assessment. Volunteers 6 P a g e
-Students will read, view or listen to materials exploring the relationship(s) between the different Humanities disciplines included in the course. -Students will write about and/or take examinations covering the relationship(s) between the different Humanities disciplines included in the course. Goal: Students will develop historically informed and engaged understandings of God, world, and the human person that fosters a commitment to service, faith, and justice in the Jesuit and Catholic traditions. Students will develop a critical understanding of the nature of justice and the ability to apply ethical theories to contemporary issues and the capacity to utilize intellectual tools to promote justice. Students will evaluate arguments, questions, and Cultural Diversity (D) -Students will read, analyze, experience and/or discuss the different cultures and subcultures in the United States and/or throughout the world Philosophy and Theology/Religious Studies Introductory Sequences and the Philosophy and Theology/Religious Studies elective Philosophy -Students will be able to analyze and discuss the writings of past and present philosophers; -to explain the basic philosophical issues implicit in the experiences of self and the relation of self to others and to God; -to analyze and discuss the history of ethical theory and related moral issues in Cultural Diversity (D) list of D-approved PHIL 120/140 required sequence (D) Course level assessment. Volunteers in Jan 2014 and spring 2014. Other methods are being proposed. Common assignment provided in PHIL 140. Evaluation within the department and reported to CCC. Annually during alternate semesters. Report: Dept of Philosophy Assessment of GE s- Phil 120(P) Introduction to Phil and Phil 210 (P) Ethics (Spring 2014) [Dr. Patrick Tully] (Submitted 5 June 2014) 7 P a g e
issues central to classical and modern philosophy and theology. Students will demonstrate knowledge and awareness of the texts, thinkers, and theories that shaped historical debates about and inform contemporary conceptions of God, self, world, and the nature of right and wrong. Students will examine the Jesuit ideal of being men and women for others and understand how this ideal applies to social relationships. business, computing, health, science, technology, the law and the environment; -to reflect philosophically and ethically on their own personal, professional and civic lives. Theology/Religious Studies -Students will be able to explain how Christian scripture and tradition address fundamental questions regarding God, the meaning of human existence, the possibilities of human community, and the nature of truth and knowledge, justice and the good; -Students will achieve an understanding of faith which enables them to integrate it into their whole lives. T/RS 121/122 required sequence Common assignment provided in T/RS 122. Evaluation within the department and reported to CCC. Annually during alternate semesters. Report: Report on Assessment Project, Theology II, Fall 2013 [Dr. Brigid Frein] (Submitted 25 May 2014) Demonstrate competence in their chosen field of study, using the knowledge and ability to address the most significant questions, and advancing towards positions of leadership. Goal: Students will demonstrate analytic reasoning and critical thinking within and across disciplines. Goal: Students will demonstrate proficiency in verbal (written and oral) communication within and across disciplines Writing Intensive (W) -Students will write to demonstrate not only their knowledge of a particular subject matter, but also to deepen their understanding of both the subject and the discipline as a whole. -Students will use the various elements of the writing process to explore, to develop, and to organize the concepts and information presented in the course. Writing Intensive (W) list of W-approved (W) Course level assessment. Volunteers Other methods are being proposed. 8 P a g e
Employ their knowledge and intellect to address situations in ways that demonstrate a devotion to the spiritual and corporal welfare of other human beings and by a special commitment to the pursuit of social justice and the common good of the entire human community. Goal: Students will develop and articulate a cultural and global awareness and sensitivity that contributes to an integrated understanding of human diversity. Students will identify and explain the myriad forms that difference takes, such as differences in economic and social class, education, language, ethnicity, race, gender, ability, religion, and sexual orientation. Students will recognize how difference is historically and socially constituted, and how some kinds of difference have been transformed into structural injustices. Cultural Diversity (D) -Students will read, analyze, experience and/or discuss the different cultures and subcultures in the United States and/or throughout the world Cultural Diversity (D) list of D-approved (D) Course level assessment. Volunteers in Jan 2014 and spring 2014. Other methods are being proposed. Students will acknowledge and systematically engage perspectives other than their own. In the process, they will recognize the limits of their own perspectives and experiences and the value of inclusive communication in personal, professional, and civic relationships. 9 P a g e
Students will relate ideas about diversity to ideas about justice and community. They will formulate political, cultural, social, and economic positions grounded in an informed respect for diversity and a commitment to solidarity. Goal: Students will develop historically informed and engaged understandings of God, world, and the human person that fosters a commitment to service, faith, and justice in the Jesuit and Catholic traditions. Students will develop a critical understanding of the nature of justice and the ability to apply ethical theories to contemporary issues and the capacity to utilize intellectual tools to promote justice. Students will examine the Jesuit ideal of being men and women for others and understand how this ideal applies to social relationships. Philosophy and Theology/Religious Studies Advanced Electives (P) Philosophy -Students will be able to analyze and discuss the writings of past and present philosophers; -to explain the basic philosophical issues implicit in the experiences of self and the relation of self to others and to God; -to analyze and discuss the history of ethical theory and related moral issues in business, computing, health, science, technology, the law and the environment; -to reflect philosophically and ethically on their own personal, professional and civic lives. Theology/Religious Studies -Students will be able to explain how Christian scripture and tradition address fundamental questions regarding God, the meaning of human existence, the possibilities of human Philosophy Upper- Division Elective list of P-approved Philosophy Elective - Theology/Religious Studies Upper-Division Elective list of P-approved Theology/Religious (P) Course level assessment. Volunteers in Jan 2014 and spring 2014. Other methods are being proposed. 10 P a g e
community, and the nature of truth and knowledge, justice and the good; -Students will achieve an understanding of faith which enables them to integrate it into their whole lives. Studies Elective courses offered in 2014-11 P a g e