Chabot College Political Science and International Studies Program Review Report 2014 ‐2015 Year 3 of Program Review Cycle “You are in the same cycle as last year!” Submitted on November 1, 2013 Contact: Sara Parker Appendix C: Program Learning Outcomes Considering your feedback, findings, and/or information that has arisen from the course level discussions, please reflect on each of your Program Level Outcomes. Program: Political Science  PLO #1: Develop analytical capacities so that students are able to analyze complex local, domestic, and international political events.  PLO #2: Familiarize students with the issues surrounding the exercise of political power. What questions or investigations arose as a result of these reflections or discussions? Explain: Overall, faculty are paying close attention across all courses to the importance of helping students connect course material to everyday politics, whether local (California government), national (American Government) or international (Comparative Politics International Relations). What program‐level strengths have the assessment reflections revealed? Strengths revealed: The assessments in political science revealed that students appreciate and perform better when the material is relevant to their lives. Their analytical capabilities improve when they are asked (and practice) relating class ideas to their own lives and the world around them. High expectations about reading, particularly academic level peer reviewed journals and texts, and primary sources along with current events ensure that students are being adequately challenged. As a part of the broader program goal to encourage civic engagement on the Chabot campus and beyond, our curriculum must require students to voice and express their opinions regularly and to learn how to support their positions with evidence, how to evaluate ideas from multiple perspectives, to gain media and research literacy skills, and how to communicate their positions effectively. What actions has your discipline determined might be taken to enhance the learning of students completing your program? Actions planned: I am supportive of ideas that have been proposed in PRBC to group students based on their interests in broad pathways and provide them with more contextualized and personalized support. My ability to communicate by email with students who have declared themselves as political science majors or international studies majors is essential. I also believe that additional college‐
wide programming in topics of politics gets students excited about this program and makes them feel like part of a community, so I hope to continue to expand extracurricular opportunities for students to attend events and lectures. Program: International Studies 2 
PLO #1: Develop a strong comprehension of international politics and U.S. foreign policy. 
PLO #2: Encourage active engagement with international affairs current events. 
PLO #3: Ability to link international developments to national politics and elections, and the everyday activities of individuals. What questions or investigations arose as a result of these reflections or discussions? Explain: The international studies program is in a re‐birth. I’m excited about the possibilities that exist for it to grow over the next few years. More can be done and needs to be done to link the international studies program with other programs on campus because it is such an interdisciplinary degree. This can make it feel like there is no central “core” to the program, despite the strong coherence of the courses that comprise the major. What program‐level strengths have the assessment reflections revealed? Strengths revealed: The interdisciplinary nature of this degree is, however, also one of its strengths. By exposing students to many subjects they have a more well rounded experience and the opportunity to take courses in many disciplines, with many faculty members. What actions has your discipline determined might be taken to enhance the learning of students completing your program? Actions planned: Again, being able to communicate with students who are declared international studies majors is essential. I hope to be able to form a stronger sense of community with students in the major, to offer additional courses, and to provide community building opportunities that make the coherence of the program more tangible to students with this major. 3