ASSESSMENT PLAN
Each graduating student is required to complete an oral exit interview conducted by one or
more members of the Department's proposed Undergraduate Committee beginning Spring 1996. |
1999-2000 ASSESSMENT
Exit interviews were held with history majors graduating in December 1999 and May 2000 on
April 13, 2000. Overall, students attending continue to express satisfaction with the
department's curriculum, teaching, and advising and feel academically well prepared. The
teaching was rated as "excellent" and history faculty as friendly and accessible
to students. Recent opportunities in the area of undergraduate research were also praised. |
1998-99 ASSESSMENT
Exit interviews were held with history majors who graduated in Dec. 1998 or May 1999 on
April 22, 1999. Students attending expressed general satisfaction with the curriculum,
teaching, and advising provided by the history department. Students requested more W.I.
courses and supported the idea of a World History course. Students liked the combination
of lecture and discussion provided in most classes and felt that current assignments are
adequate Students agreed that the faculty were open and willing to help but suggested that
scholarship information could be better publicized.In response to these comments, the department now sends out letters to
advisees in the spring of 2000 informing students about scholarship and other departmental
opportunities. Since that time, the department has made two courses required of most
history majors (the senior seminar and the teaching methods class) W.I. thus resolving
much of the shortfall in that area. We are still considering the possibility of a World
History course. |
1997-98 ASSESSMENT
Voluntary exit interviews were held with graduating seniors. Overall they were pleased
with their experiences in the history department, feeling that it had prepared them well
for their future careers. Most noted the same strengths as in previous interviews, noting
especially the value of research papers and the quality of advising in the department. In
terms of weaknesses, they noted the inadequate research materials available at the Calvin
T. Ryan library. In response to
previous interviews, the Department has created a Historiography course. It is still
considering other curricular suggestions, including the creation of a 20th Century World
History course. |
1996-97 ASSESSMENT
Voluntary exit interviews were held with graduating seniors. Once again students were
uniformly complimentary about the history department, its program, requirements, and
faculty. Overall, they noted the same strengths as students in previous interviews, adding
also an appreciation for those courses which incorporated discussion opportunities. One
new suggestion was the addition of World Civilization or Current Events courses. In
response to this, the Undergraduate Studies committee is considering the creation of a
20th Century World History course. The
faculty have been advised of the suggestions from the 1995-96 assessment and are
implementing change on the course level as is possible. In response to the same
assessment, creation of a Historiography course is also under discussion. |
1995-96
ASSESSMENT
Interviews held by the Undergraduate Studies Committee of the History Department provided
valuable information and fresh ideas for improving the department. Students evaluated the
department quite highly, showing respect for its faculty and a sense of confidence in
their future as graduates from this department. Students identified as strengths in the department:
- overall quality and breadth of their
preparation
- program and curriculum
- high quality of teaching
- high standards and expectations,
particularly in reading and writing
- emphasis on essays and research
- approachable faculty
They had the following suggestions:
- more to prepare education majors for their
careers, i.e. lesson plans as well as research papers, more hours required in
history, prepare bibliographies for teaching on a given subject
- 300 level seminar describing faculty
research interests, methods and historiographical issues
- more information concerning career options
for history majors
These suggestions are being considered by
the Department. |
1994-95
ASSESSMENT
|
1993-94
ASSESSMENT
The department intends to rehabilitate the exit interviews in the form of a meeting
between graduating history majors and the Undergraduate Studies Committee at the end of
each semester to solicit their opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of their
education. |
|
assessment
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17 May 2005
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