Assessment Plan and Results
Department of Philosophy
The following assessment plan was approved in Fall Term 2003. This revised plan was developed, in part, to incorporate graduation competencies for Philosophy majors. Assessment results for academic years beginning with 2003-2004 can be found after the plan.
To see the previous assessment plan and results for 1995-2002, please click here.
Assessment plan
Outcome 1: Close, critical reading of primary sources
Graduating Philosophy majors will be able to read primary philosophical sources closely, accurately, and critically.
Measure 1: Instructors for the 400-level seminars each term will report on each Philosophy major's ability to read closely, accurately, and critically. Students who receive positive reports in at least three seminars will be considered to have demonstrated appropriate reading ability. Seminar reports each year will indicate that 80% of graduating majors have demonstrated this ability. [Responsibility: seminar faculty and Department Chairperson; each term.]
Measure 2: Exit surveys of graduating majors will show that 80% agree or strongly agree that they have gained the ability to read primary philosophical sources closely, accurately, and critically. [Responsibility: Department Chairperson; annual.]
Outcome 2: Logical argumentation
Graduating Philosophy majors will be able to write philosophical essays that exhibit logical skills appropriate for upper-level undergraduate work in philosophy and sufficient for beginning graduate work in a range of areas.
Logical skills include the following: a) the ability to identify arguments (i.e. premises and conclusions) in the writing of philosophers; b) the ability to construct cogent arguments of one's own; c) the ability to discriminate deductive from inductive arguments; d) the ability to accurately assess the validity of deductive arguments or the strength of inductive arguments; and e) accurate and appropriate use of technical logical vocabulary, such as "consistent," "implies," "contradicts," "necessarily," and "impossible." Papers that satisfy this measure must contain explicit evidence of the presence of either skill a) or skill b), and they must also not contain explicit evidence of a non-trivial failure in an attempt to demonstrate skills c), d), or e).
Measure 1: Instructors for the 400-level seminars each term will report on each Philosophy major=s ability to write philosophical essays that exhibit logical skills. Students who receive positive reports in at least three seminars will be considered to have demonstrated appropriate logical skills. Seminar reports each year will indicate that 80% of graduating majors have demonstrated these skills. [Responsibility: seminar faculty and Department Chairperson; each term.]
Measure 2: Exit surveys of graduating majors will show that 80% agree or strongly agree that they have gained the ability to write philosophical essays that exhibit appropriate logical skills. [Responsibility: Department Chairperson; annual.]
Outcome 3: In-depth analysis
Graduating Philosophy majors will be able to write philosophical essays that carry out in-depth analysis of philosophical problems.
Essays must do many of the following in order to demonstrate this outcome: define the problem or issue clearly and precisely; develop an extended response to the problem or issue; consider alternative interpretations of what the problem is; consider alternative responses to the problem; make appropriate use of relevant distinctions and definitions; attend to subtle aspects of the issue or responses to it.
Measure 1: Instructors for the 400-level seminars each term will report on each Philosophy major's ability to write philosophical essays that carry out in-depth analysis of philosophical problems. Students who receive positive reports in at least three seminars will be considered to have demonstrated appropriate analytical ability. Seminar reports each year will indicate that 80% of graduating majors have demonstrated this ability. [Responsibility: seminar faculty and Department Chairperson; each term.]
Measure 2: Exit surveys of graduating majors will show that 80% agree or strongly agree that they have gained the ability to write philosophical essays that carry out in-depth analysis of philosophical problems. [Responsibility: Department Chairperson; annual.]
Outcome 4: Philosophical research
Graduating Philosophy majors will be able to use various print and electronic sources of information effectively when doing philosophical research. (Such sources may include catalogues, books, periodicals, databases, indexes, encyclopedias, and bibliographies.) Graduating majors will also be able to evaluate and analyze information gathered from a variety of sources in the course of their philosophical research.
Measure 1: Students will complete a two-part workshop, required for PHL 240, on philosophical research (click here). Completion of the workshop entails production of a satisfactory annotated bibliography on an assigned research question. Students can repeat the workshop up to three times. [Responsibility: Department Chairperson and the faculty member who constructs the workshop's research topic; each term.]
Measure 2: Instructors for the 400-level seminars each term will report on each Philosophy major's philosophical research skills. Students who receive positive reports in at least three seminars will be considered to have demonstrated appropriate research skills. Seminar reports each year will indicate that 80% of graduating majors have demonstrated these skills. [Responsibility: seminar faculty and Department Chairperson; each term.]
Measure 3: Exit surveys of graduating majors will show that 80% agree or strongly agree that they have gained the stated abilities in philosophical research. [Responsibility: Department Chairperson; annual.]
Outcome 5: Presentations and discussion
Graduating Philosophy majors will be able to make oral presentations that adequately reconstruct and offer critical evaluations of arguments from philosophical texts. (See also Outcome 1 on reading primary sources.) Graduating majors will also be able to formulate philosophical questions in seminar discussion and in presentations.
Measure 1: Instructors for the 400-level seminars each term will report on each Philosophy major's seminar presentation(s) and contributions to discussion. Students who receive positive reports in at least three seminars will be considered to have demonstrated appropriate abilities. Seminar reports each year will indicate that 80% of graduating majors have demonstrated the stated abilities. [Responsibility: seminar faculty and Department Chairperson; each term.]
Measure 2: Exit surveys of graduating majors will show that 80% agree or strongly agree that they have gained the stated abilities. [Responsibility: Department Chairperson; annual.]
Outcome 6: Preparation for post-baccalaureate study
Graduating Philosophy majors will be well prepared for admission to post-baccalaureate degree programs.
Measure 1: 80% of graduating seniors who apply for post-baccalaureate degree programs will be accepted. [Responsibility: Department Chairperson; annual.]
Measure 2: Exit surveys of graduating majors will show that 80% agree or strongly agree that they are well prepared for admission to post-baccalaureate degree programs. [Responsibility: Department Chairperson; annual.]
Graduation competencies for Philosophy majors
Reading: Outcome 1, Measures 1-2.
Writing: Outcome 2, Measures 1-2; and Outcome 3, Measures 1-2.
Oral communication: Outcome 5, Measures 1-2.
Information literacy: Outcome 4, Measures 1-3.
Quantitative reasoning: No requirements beyond the general competencies in quantitative reasoning.
2003-04 Assessment results
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OUTCOMES/MEASURE UTILIZED |
RESULTS |
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Outcome One B Measures Utilized Outcome 1. Close, critical reading of primary sources: Graduating Philosophy majors will be able to reading primary philosophical sources closely, accurately, and critically.
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Measure 1: 83% [n=5] of graduating majors received positive reports on their reading ability in at least two seminars. [Note: there are not yet data for all four seminars, as the new assessment plan is being phased in.]
Measure 2: 100% [n=6] of graduating majors strongly agreed that they have gained this reading ability. |
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Outcome Two B Measures Utilized Outcome 2: Logical argumentation: Graduating Philosophy majors will be able to write philosophical essays that exhibit logical skills appropriate for upper-level undergraduate work in philosophy and sufficient for beginning graduate work in a range of areas.
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Measure 1: 83% [n=5] of graduating majors received positive reports on their logical skills in at least two seminars. [Note: there are not yet data for all four seminars, as the new assessment plan is being phased in.]
Measure 2: 100% [n=6] of graduating majors agree or strongly agree that they have gained this ability. |
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Outcome Three B Measures Utilized Outcome 3. In-depth analysis: Graduating Philosophy majors will be able to write philosophical essays that carry out in-depth analysis of philosophical problems.
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Measure 1: 83% [n=5] of graduating majors received positive reports on their abilities to carry out in-depth analysis in at least two seminars. [Note: there are not yet data for all four seminars, as the new assessment plan is being phased in.]
Measure 2: 83%[n=5] of graduating majors agree or strongly agree that they have gained this ability. |
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Outcome Four B Measures Utilized Outcome 4. Philosophical research: Graduating Philosophy majors will be able to use various print and electronic sources of information effectively when doing philosophical research. (Such sources may include catalogues, books, periodicals, databases, indexes, encyclopedias, and bibliographies.) Graduating majors will also be able to evaluate and analyze information gathered from a variety of sources in the course of their philosophical research.
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Measure 1: Since the research-skills workshop is being phased in, papers submitted by graduating majors were reviewed for research skills. 83% [n=5] of graduating majors= submitted papers demonstrated appropriate research skills.
Measure 2: 83% [n=5] of graduating majors received positive reports on their research skills in at least two seminars. [Note: there are not yet data for all four seminars, as the new assessment plan is being phased in.]
Measure 3: 67% [n=4] of graduating majors agree or strongly agree that the major has improved their ability to use print and electronic sources of information effectively. 100% [n=6] agree or strongly agree that the major has improved their ability to evaluate and analyze information gathered from a variety of sources. |
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Outcome Five B Measures Utilized Outcome 5. Presentations and discussion: Graduating Philosophy majors will be able to make oral presentations that adequately reconstruct and offer critical evaluations of arguments from philosophical texts. Graduating majors will also be able to formulate philosophical questions in seminar discussion and in presentations.
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Measure 1: 100% [n=6] of graduating majors received positive reports on their presentations in at least two seminars. 83% [n=5] of graduating majors received positive reports on their ability to formulate philosophical questions in at least two seminars. [Note: there are not yet data for all four seminars, as the new assessment plan is being phased in.]
Measure 2: 100% [n=6] of graduating majors agree or strongly agree that the major has improved their ability to make oral presentations and to formulate philosophical questions. |
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Outcome Six B Measures Utilized Outcome 6. Preparation for post-baccalaureate study: Graduating Philosophy majors will be well prepared for admission to post-baccalaureate degree programs.
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Measure 1: 100% [n=5] of graduating majors who applied by post-baccalaureate degree programs were accepted. One student was accepted to six law schools and has decided to postpone admission. One was accepted to three Masters programs in Bioethics and will attend Case Western Reserve. One was accepted to six doctoral programs in Physics and will attend MIT. One was accepted to three Masters programs in Philosophy and will attend Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. One was accepted to the Masters program in Philosophy at Leuven and will attend that program. Measure 2: 100% [n=6] of graduating majors agree or strongly agree that the major has prepared them well for admission to post-baccalaureate degree programs. |
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Graduation Competencies B Measures Utilized Students will develop competencies in reading and writing, oral communication, quantitative reasoning, and information literacy that build on general competencies and that are appropriate to a major in philosophy.
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Reading: Outcome 1, Measures 1-2 both surpassed the 80% target. Writing: Outcome 2, Measures 1-2 and Outcome 3, Measures 1-2 all surpassed the 80% target. Oral communication: Outcome 5, Measures 1-2 both surpassed the 80% target. Information literacy: Outcome 4, Measures 1-3 all surpassed the 80% target, except with respect to improvement of ability to use print and electronic sources of information effectively. Quantitative reasoning: The class of 2004 was not subject to the general competencies requirement. |
2004-05 Assessment results
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OUTCOMES/MEASURE UTILIZED |
RESULTS |
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Outcome One - Measures Utilized Outcome 1. Close, critical reading of primary sources: Graduating Philosophy majors will be able to read primary philosophical sources closely, accurately, and critically. Measure 1: Instructors for the 400-level seminars each term will report on each Philosophy major's ability to read closely, accurately, and critically. Students who receive positive reports in at least three seminars will be considered to have demonstrated appropriate reading ability. Seminar reports each year will indicate that 80% of graduating majors have demonstrated this ability. Measure 2: Exit surveys of graduating majors will show that 80% agree or strongly agree that they have gained the ability to read primary philosophical sources closely, accurately, and critically. |
Measure 1: 100% [n=9] of graduating majors received positive reports on their reading ability in at least two seminars. [Note: there are not yet data for all four seminars, as the new assessment plan is being phased in.]
Measure 2: 100% [n=6] of graduating majors strongly agreed that they have gained this reading ability. |
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Outcome Two - Measures Utilized Outcome 2: Logical argumentation: Graduating Philosophy majors will be able to write philosophical essays that exhibit logical skills appropriate for upper-level undergraduate work in philosophy and sufficient for beginning graduate work in a range of areas. Measure 1: Instructors for the 400-level seminars each term will report on each Philosophy major's ability to write philosophical essays that exhibit logical skills. Students who receive positive reports in at least three seminars will be considered to have demonstrated appropriate logical skills. Seminar reports each year will indicate that 80% of graduating majors have demonstrated these skills. Measure 2: Exit surveys of graduating majors will show that 80% agree or strongly agree that they have gained the ability to write philosophical essays that exhibit appropriate logical skills. |
Measure 1: 89% [n=9] of graduating majors received positive reports on their logical skills in at least two seminars. [Note: there are not yet data for all four seminars, as the new assessment plan is being phased in.]
Measure 2: 100% [n=6] of graduating majors agree or strongly agree that they have gained this ability. |
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Outcome Three - Measures Utilized Outcome 3. In-depth analysis: Graduating Philosophy majors will be able to write philosophical essays that carry out in-depth analysis of philosophical problems. Measure 1: Instructors for the 400-level seminars each term will report on each Philosophy major's ability to write philosophical essays that carry out in-depth analysis of philosophical problems. Students who receive positive reports in at least three seminars will be considered to have demonstrated appropriate analytical ability. Seminar reports each year will indicate that 80% of graduating majors have demonstrated this ability. Measure 2: Exit surveys of graduating majors will show that 80% agree or strongly agree that they have gained the ability to write philosophical essays that carry out in-depth analysis of philosophical problems. |
Measure 1: 89% [n=9] of graduating majors received positive reports on their abilities to carry out in-depth analysis in at least two seminars. [Note: there are not yet data for all four seminars, as the new assessment plan is being phased in.]
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Outcome Four - Measures Utilized Outcome 4. Philosophical research: Graduating Philosophy majors will be able to use various print and electronic sources of information effectively when doing philosophical research. (Such sources may include catalogues, books, periodicals, databases, indexes, encyclopedias, and bibliographies.) Graduating majors will also be able to evaluate and analyze information gathered from a variety of sources in the course of their philosophical research. Measure 1: Students will complete a two-part workshop, required for PHL 240, on philosophical research. Completion of the workshop entails production of a satisfactory annotated bibliography on an assigned research question. Students can repeat the workshop up to three times. Measure 2: Instructors for the 400-level seminars each term will report on each Philosophy major's philosophical research skills. Students who receive positive reports in at least three seminars will be considered to have demonstrated appropriate research skills. Seminar reports each year will indicate that 80% of graduating majors have demonstrated these skills. Measure 3: Exit surveys of graduating majors will show that 80% agree or strongly agree that they have gained the stated abilities in philosophical research.
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Outcome Five - Measures Utilized Outcome 5. Presentations and discussion: Graduating Philosophy majors will be able to make oral presentations that adequately reconstruct and offer critical evaluations of arguments from philosophical texts. Graduating majors will also be able to formulate philosophical questions in seminar discussion and in presentations. Measure 1: Instructors for the 400-level seminars each term will report on each Philosophy major=s seminar presentation(s) and contributions to discussion. Students who receive positive reports in at least three seminars will be considered to have demonstrated appropriate abilities. Seminar reports each year will indicate that 80% of graduating majors have demonstrated the stated abilities. Measure 2: Exit surveys of graduating majors will show that 80% agree or strongly agree that they have gained the stated abilities. |
Measure 1: 100% [n=9] of graduating majors received positive reports on their presentations in at least two seminars. 100% [n=9] of graduating majors received positive reports on their ability to formulate philosophical questions in at least two seminars. [Note: there are not yet data for all four seminars, as the new assessment plan is being phased in.]
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Outcome Six - Measures Utilized Outcome 6. Preparation for post-baccalaureate study: Graduating Philosophy majors will be well prepared for admission to post-baccalaureate degree programs. Measure 1: 80% of graduating seniors who apply for post-baccalaureate degree programs will be accepted.
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Measure 1: 67% [n=6] of graduating majors who applied for post-baccalaureate degree programs were accepted. One student will attend Loyola University Chicago Law School. One student is joining the Army as a Quarter Master Officer for four years. One student was rejected by all four Ph.D. Philosophy programs he applied for (Stony Brook, Fordham, Syracuse, and Vanderbilt); he will attend the M.A. program at SUNY Stony Brook. One student applied to the M.A. Philosophy at Tufts but was rejected. One student applied to two MPA programs in Ohio, and hasn't heard from them yet.
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Graduation Competencies - Measures Utilized Students will develop competencies in reading and writing, oral communication, quantitative reasoning, and information literacy that build on general competencies and that are appropriate to a major in philosophy.
Writing: See Outcome 2, Measures 1-2 and Outcome 3, Measures 1-2. Oral communication: See Outcome 5, Measures 1-2.
Information literacy: See Outcome 4, Measures 1-3.
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Writing: Outcome 2, Measures 1-2 and Outcome 3, Measures 1-2 all surpassed the 80% target. Oral communication: Outcome 5, Measures 1-2 both surpassed the 80% target.
Quantitative reasoning: All students satisfied this requirement. |
Brief
Analysis:
The Department's revised assessment
plan was phased in during 2003-04. This included use of three new outcomes and
many new measures. The new seminar-report forms were used. The research skills
workshop was offered for the first time in Fall Term, 2004. Graduation
competencies were implemented fully for this assessment report.
Performance of graduating majors was generally very good.
Eight of nine graduating seniors demonstrated success for all six outcomes.
Several students postponed applying to post-baccalaureate programs, but two
students whom we regard as very good students did not get accepted into their
programs of choice. One of those students said that she didn't receive enough
help in her application process. Student comments on the exit survey indicated
that all valued the major and the Department's faculty very much. There were
many wonderful testimonies about the faculty's care for Philosophy majors and
development of strong mentoring relationships.
Actions To
Be Taken:
The latest assessment results will be
posted on the Department's internal web site. A draft of this 2004-05 Assessment
was discussed at the
August 29,
2005 meeting of the Philosophy Department’s Advisory Committee. This final
version of the report reflects changes that emerged from that meeting. More
complete data from seminar reports will be available by the end of 2005-06. PHL
240 Research Methodology and Technologies is being offered in the Fall 2005
term. There will be six one-hour workshops offered jointly by Heidi Gauder (and
Fred Jenkins) of Roesch Library and the Chair of Philosophy. At the beginning of
the winter semester, after both faculty and students have evaluated the fall PHL
240 workshops, the Advisory Committee will decide whether more revisions in the
delivery of PHL 240 are called for.
Because not all of
our majors were accepted into their most desirable graduate programs, the
Advisory Committee recommended that the Department institute a formal procedure
for giving majors guidance in applying to graduate programs and for helping them
prepare their application forms. Peggy DesAutels was unanimously selected as the
Department’s Graduate School Applications Advisor. She will have conversations
with all the majors no later than second semester junior year. Besides advising
them about which schools to apply to, she will also oversee the preparation of
their applications.
Resources Utilized: Reports were completed by seminar faculty. The Chairperson distributed exit surveys and seminar-report forms and collected, organized, and interpreted the results. The seminar faculty reviewed papers submitted in their seminars for research skills, as the research workshop was being phased in. The Chairperson completed this form.
2005-06 Assessment results
| OUTCOMES/MEASURE UTILIZED |
RESULTS |
| Outcome One - Measures
Utilized Outcome 1. Close, critical reading of primary sources: Graduating Philosophy majors will be able to read primary philosophical sources closely, accurately, and critically. Measure 1: Instructors for the 400-level seminars each term will report on each Philosophy major's ability to read closely, accurately, and critically. Students who receive positive reports in at least three seminars will be considered to have demonstrated appropriate reading ability. Seminar reports each year will indicate that 80% of graduating majors have demonstrated this ability. Measure 2: Exit surveys of graduating majors will show that 80% agree or strongly agree that they have gained the ability to read primary philosophical sources closely, accurately, and critically. |
Measure 1: 87.5% [n=8] of graduating majors received positive reports on their reading ability in at least two seminars. [Note: there are not yet data for all four seminars, as the new assessment plan is being phased in.]
Measure 2: 100% [n=6] of graduating majors agree or strongly agree that they have gained this reading ability. |
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Outcome Two - Measures Utilized Outcome 2: Logical argumentation: Graduating Philosophy majors will be able to write philosophical essays that exhibit logical skills appropriate for upper-level undergraduate work in philosophy and sufficient for beginning graduate work in a range of areas. Measure 1: Instructors for the 400-level seminars each term will report on each Philosophy major's ability to write philosophical essays that exhibit logical skills. Students who receive positive reports in at least three seminars will be considered to have demonstrated appropriate logical skills. Seminar reports each year will indicate that 80% of graduating majors have demonstrated these skills. Measure 2: Exit surveys of graduating majors will show that 80% agree or strongly agree that they have gained the ability to write philosophical essays that exhibit appropriate logical skills. |
Measure 1: 87.5% [n=8] of graduating majors received positive reports on their logical skills in at least two seminars. [Note: there are not yet data for all four seminars, as the new assessment plan is being phased in.]
Measure 2: 100% [n=6] of graduating majors agree or strongly agree that they have gained this ability. |
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Outcome Three - Measures Utilized Outcome 3. In-depth analysis: Graduating Philosophy majors will be able to write philosophical essays that carry out in-depth analysis of philosophical problems. Measure 1: Instructors for the 400-level seminars each term will report on each Philosophy major's ability to write philosophical essays that carry out in-depth analysis of philosophical problems. Students who receive positive reports in at least three seminars will be considered to have demonstrated appropriate analytical ability. Seminar reports each year will indicate that 80% of graduating majors have demonstrated this ability. Measure 2: Exit surveys of graduating majors will show that 80% agree or strongly agree that they have gained the ability to write philosophical essays that carry out in-depth analysis of philosophical problems. |
Measure 1: 75% [n=8] of graduating majors received positive reports on their abilities to carry out in-depth analysis in at least two seminars. [Note: there are not yet data for all four seminars, as the new assessment plan is being phased in.]
Measure 2: 100%[n=6] of graduating majors agree or strongly agree that they have gained this ability. |
| Outcome Four - Measures
Utilized Outcome 4. Philosophical research: Graduating Philosophy majors will be able to use various print and electronic sources of information effectively when doing philosophical research. (Such sources may include catalogues, books, periodicals, databases, indexes, encyclopedias, and bibliographies.) Graduating majors will also be able to evaluate and analyze information gathered from a variety of sources in the course of their philosophical research. Measure 1: Students will complete a one credit-hour course, required for PHL 240 Research Methodologies and Technologies. Completion of the course entails production of a satisfactory annotated bibliography on an assigned research question. Measure 2: Instructors for the 400-level seminars each term will report on each Philosophy major's philosophical research skills. Students who receive positive reports in at least three seminars will be considered to have demonstrated appropriate research skills. Seminar reports each year will indicate that 80% of graduating majors have demonstrated these skills. Measure 3: Exit surveys of graduating majors will show that 80% agree or strongly agree that they have gained the stated abilities in philosophical research. |
Measure 1: 100% [n=8] of graduating majors completed the workshop and submitted satisfactory annotated bibliographies.
Measure 2: 87.5% [n=8] of graduating majors received positive reports on their research skills in at least two seminars. [Note: there are not yet data for all four seminars, as the new assessment plan is being phased in.]
Measure 3: 100% [n=6] of graduating majors agree or strongly agree that the major has improved their ability to use print and electronic sources of information effectively. 100% [n=6] agree or strongly agree that the major has improved their ability to evaluate and analyze information gathered from a variety of sources. |
| Outcome Five - Measures
Utilized Outcome 5. Presentations and discussion: Graduating Philosophy majors will be able to make oral presentations that adequately reconstruct and offer critical evaluations of arguments from philosophical texts. Graduating majors will also be able to formulate philosophical questions in seminar discussion and in presentations. Measure 1: Instructors for the 400-level seminars each term will report on each Philosophy major= s seminar presentation(s) and contributions to discussion. Students who receive positive reports in at least three seminars will be considered to have demonstrated appropriate abilities. Seminar reports each year will indicate that 80% of graduating majors have demonstrated the stated abilities. Measure 2: Exit surveys of graduating majors will show that 80% agree or strongly agree that they have gained the stated abilities. |
Measure 1: 75% [n=8] of graduating majors received positive reports on their presentations in at least two seminars. 100% [n=9] of graduating majors received positive reports on their ability to formulate philosophical questions in at least two seminars. [Note: there are not yet data for all four seminars, as the new assessment plan is being phased in.]
Measure 2: 100% [n=6] of graduating majors agree or strongly agree that the major has improved their ability to make oral presentations and to formulate philosophical questions. |
| Outcome Six - Measures
Utilized Outcome 6. Preparation for post-baccalaureate study: Graduating Philosophy majors will be well prepared for admission to post-baccalaureate degree programs. Measure 1: 80% of graduating seniors who apply for post-baccalaureate degree programs will be accepted. Measure 2: Exit surveys of graduating majors will show that 80% agree or strongly agree that they are well prepared for admission to post-baccalaureate degree programs. |
Measure 1: None of the eight
graduating majors applied for post-baccalaureate degree programs.
Interestingly, two of last year's graduating majors who applied to PHL
graduate programs but were rejected, have reapplied this year and been
accepted. Three of this year's pool of graduates intend to work for one
year and then apply to law school. One is studying for the priesthood in
a diocesan seminary. One is going to join AmeriCorps. One has applied at
the Institute for Cognitive Science at the Un. of Osnabruck, and then
plans to apply for Ph.D. programs in PHL next year. Another will work
for a year and apply for Ph.D. programs in PHL next year. The eighth is
going to apply for a Masters degree in music therapy. Measure 2: 67% [n=6] of graduating majors agree or strongly agree that the major has prepared them well for admission to post-baccalaureate degree programs. |
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Graduation Competencies - Measures Utilized Students will develop competencies in reading and writing, oral communication, quantitative reasoning, and information literacy that build on general competencies and that are appropriate to a major in philosophy. Reading: See Outcome 1, Measures 1-2. Writing: See Outcome 2, Measures 1-2 and Outcome 3, Measures 1-2. Oral communication: See Outcome 5, Measures 1-2.
Information literacy: See Outcome 4, Measures 1-3.
Quantitative reasoning: No requirements beyond the general competencies in quantitative reasoning. |
Reading: Outcome 1, Measures 1-2 both surpassed the 80% target. Writing: Outcome 2, Measures 1-2 and Outcome 3, Measure 1 all surpassed the 80% target. Only 75% of students surpassed Measure 1 of Outcome 3. Oral communication: Outcome 5, Measures 2 surpassed the 80% target. Only 75% of students surpassed Measure 1 of Outcome 5. Information literacy: Outcome 4, Measures 1-3 all surpassed the 80% target. Quantitative reasoning: All students satisfied this requirement. |
Brief Analysis:
The Department's revised assessment plan was phased in during 2003-04. This included use of three new outcomes and many new measures. The new seminar-report forms were used. The research skills workshop, which was offered for the first time in 04/FA, is still in the experimental phase.
Performance of graduating majors was generally very good. Two of our strongest graduates, one summa cum laude and one magna cum laude, didn't turn in exit surveys. It is very likely that, had they done so, the measures on all outcomes would have been higher. It's not possible to obtain precise results from only six exit surveys and eight 400-level seminar reports.
Student comments on the exit survey indicated that all valued the major and the Department's faculty very much. There were many wonderful testimonies about the faculty's care for Philosophy majors and development of strong mentoring relationships.
Actions Taken:
The 06/30/06 Draft document was discussed at the Department's August 17, 2006 meeting. A couple of changes to the assessment process were recommended. (a) The wording of Outcome 4, Measure 1 will be changed in order to reflect the fact that what used to be a two-part workshop is now a one credit-hour course on Research Methodologies and Technologies. This year the course will be taught by Heidi Gauder and Fred Jenkins of the Roesch Library staff. (b) In order to obtain more data from faculty members about the Philosophy majors’ performance, the faculty agreed to include the 300-level history courses among the courses from which the data will be gathered. (c) Question number 2 on the original Exit Survey was changed into two questions in order to make the Exit Survey more relevant to the assessment document. (d) The Department agreed to begin a systematic process whereby majors who express an interest in post-baccalaureate study (as early as their junior year) will be paired with an appropriate faculty member who will help prepare the student to select and apply to appropriate graduate programs. We will also add a webpage to our Department website which gives students advice about applying for post-baccalaureate study. The faculty mentor will stay in touch with the student throughout their graduate studies in order to monitor their progress. (e) Because the Exit Survey does not specifically ask graduating majors whether they received adequate guidance about applying for graduate programs, the Department agreed to add a three-part question to the Exit Survey: Did you ask for guidance about post-baccalaureate programs of study from Department faculty? Did you receive adequate guidance from Department faculty in selecting and applying to programs of post-baccalaureate study? If not, what specific type of guidance might have helped you better prepare for post-baccalaureate study?
Resources Utilized:
Reports were completed by seminar faculty. The Chairperson distributed exit surveys and seminar-report forms and collected, organized, and interpreted the results. The seminar faculty reviewed papers submitted in their seminars for research skills, as the research workshop was being phased in. The Chairperson completed this form., and the Department faculty recommended changes to the 06/30/06 draft.
This page was last updated on May 14, 2007