Undergraduate Learning Outcomes and Assessment Plan
I. BA IN ENGLISH AND BS IN ENGLISH (SECONDARY CERTIFICATION)
Learning Outcomes
At the successful completion of the program, students will be able to
- Demonstrate familiarity with representative literary texts;
- Read, interpret, and analyze literary texts with in their proper historical, cultural as well as literary contexts;
- Conduct research into both primary and secondary sources on topics concerning authors, texts, and issues;
- Develop original positions/theses on authors, texts, and issues using both primary and secondary sources;
- Pursue and present their original positions/theses cogently in effective, polished prose with proper documentation using the MLA Style of citation.
Assessment Instruments
Eng 470 Senior Seminar/Capstone
- Representative sampling of research papers.
- Assessment of two or three Learning Outcomes every year.
- Using department approved rubric and scoring sheet.
Assessment Process
- All English Department faculty members will participate in assessment sessions.
- Each sampled research paper will be assessed by two faculty members.
- Assessment session will be held as part of the May department faculty meeting.
- Assessment results will be reported annually.
II. BA IN AMERICAN STUDIES
Learning Outcomes
At the successful completion of the program, students will be able to
- Demonstrate familiarity with a wide range of significant American texts;
- Read, interpret, and analyze American literary, historical, cultural, and critical texts with rigor and depth in their appropriate contexts;
- Conduct valid research into both primary and secondary sources on American topics related to authors, texts, and associated issues;
- Develop viable, original arguments about American authors, texts, and related issues via primary and secondary sources;
- Create and present viable, original arguments clearly and effectively in polished prose, using field-appropriate documentation.
Assessment Instruments
AS 217 The American Dream
- Representative sampling of final research papers (collected every other semester).
- Apply standards from program-approved rubric and scoring sheet
AS or HIS or ENG 400 Senior Seminar/Capstone
- Sampling of research papers from students whose AS 217 research papers were assessed (collected every other semester).
- Apply standards from program-approved rubric and scoring sheet.
Assessment Process
- All faculty members who regularly teach American Studies courses will participate in assessment sessions.
- Each sampled research paper will be assessed by two faculty members.
- Assessment results will be reported annually.