ACTIONS UNDERTAKEN BASED ON 2004 – 2005 ASSESSMENT
Goals
Outcome Measures
Research Methods
Findings
Goal #1:
Students will learn
basic processes of
communication across
the subdisciplines of
the field.
Students demonstrate
mastery of basic
communication processes in their work.
Graded as exemplary,
satisfactory, or unsatisfactory,
according to faculty criteria.
Yes.
COM 101 instructors
provided exams and
project papers at the
end of Fall semester, 2004
and Spring semester, 2005
to assessment committee.
Course does well
in terms of
enrollment and is at
least average in terms
of performance, with students
averaging 74-76% on three
tests given in course.
Students are given a
thorough but not allinclusive exploration of
communication practices.
Students need more
emphasis on general
understanding of communication,
social science, and daily life.
Rated “satisfactory.”
Review
Actions
COM 101 instructors
analyzed exams by
item analysis and
provided exams and
samples of major
project papers to
Assessment Committee.
School will consider a study, perhaps
to explore if Gen Ed students
perform at different levels than COM
students and if there are differences
between non-first year students and
first year students.
Assessment Committee then
reviewed and forwarded
recommendations to
School Curriculum Committee.
Given its theoretically broad
introductory nature, division directors
recommended that faculty consider
ways to encourage students to take 101
early in the major and how to increase
course breadth.
.
Goals
Outcome Measures
Research Methods
Findings
Goal #2:
Students will learn commonly-used
communication research methods and
their application.
Students demonstrate knowledge of,
and basic competence in,
communication research methods in
their papers.
Yes.
COM 303 faculty submitted samples
of midterm and final exams and
copies of final projects to Assessment
Committee at the end of Fall
semester, 2004 and Spring semester,
2005.
Students were able to design and
Conduct research, use appropriate
statistical methods, understand
research ethics, and write a research
paper.
Graded as exemplary, satisfactory or
unsatisfactory according to faculty
criteria.
Review
Actions
Reviewed by COM 303 faculty and
Division Directors.
Continue with annual review of these
materials.
Rated “exemplary.”
Goals
Outcome Measures
Research Methods
Findings
Goal #3:
Students will demonstrate a
theoretical understanding of
communication processes.
Students demonstrate theoretical
understanding of communication
processes in their papers.
Yes.
Faculty provided exams and projects
to Assessment Committee at the end
of Fall semester, 2004 and Spring
semester, 2005.
Com Mgt. students showed an
understanding of most but not all
major theories in interpersonal and
organizational communication.
Students did not fully understand
assumptions underlying relevant
communication theories.
Graded as exemplary, satisfactory, or
unsatisfactory according to faculty
criteria.
Media Arts & Technology students
showed an excellent understanding of
major processes and theories relevant
to message production and context.
Campaign portfolios from Journalism
& PR capstone courses showed
understanding of major components
of a campaign and underlying
theories.
Rated “satisfactory.”
Review
Actions
Reviewed by Division Directors and
capstone faculty.
Discussed with School Director and
put on agenda to be discussed by
School Curriculum Committee.
Goals
Outcome Measures
Research Methods
Findings
Goal #4:
Students can demonstrate
competencies or applied
communication skills needed for entry
into relevant career fields.
Students demonstrate knowledge of
applied communication skills in their
papers.
Yes.
Faculty provided final projects for
Assessment Committee at the end of
Fall semester, 2004 and Spring
semester, 2005.
Com Mgt. students showed skills
through data collection and analysis
in projects on recruitment and
socialization. Media Arts &
Technology students developed
specific programs from conception to
execution. They were more successful
in planning and design than
implementation.
Journalism & PR students laid out
campaigns and produced a lab
newspaper.
Graded as exemplary, satisfactory, or
unsatisfactory according to faculty
criteria.
Split “exemplary-satisfactory.”
Review
Actions
Reviewed by Division Directors and
capstone faculty.
Discussed with School director and
suggestions put on agenda for
discussion at School Curriculum
Committee.
ACTIONS UNDERTAKEN BASED ON 2003 – 2004 ASSESSMENT
Goals
Outcome Measures
Research Completed
Findings
Goal #4:
Students can demonstrate
competencies or applied
communication skills needed for entry
into relevant career fields.
Students demonstrate knowledge of
applied communication skills.
Yes.
2003 – 2004 assessment report
concluded that internships should be
revitalized (Note: This coincided with
faculty recognition of problems in the
internship program.)
Review
Actions
Plan for internship revision gained
faculty consensus at Fall, 2004
retreat. Proposal for revision was
developed in fall and approved by
faculty.
Internship program was substantially
revised, with expansion of internship
director duties, strengthening
academic rigor of the course, and
increased emphasis placed on
marketing of internships.
Graded as exemplary, satisfactory, or
unsatisfactory.
Focus group was coordinated by a
faculty member.