Program Assessment Plan
American University
CAS: Studio Art - BA
CAS: Studio Art - BA
Contact Person for Don Kimes and Danielle Mysliwiec
Assessment:
Primary Department: Art
Learning Outcome: Communication
Students will be able to communicate at a basic level in six visual arts disciplines (drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and digital media) including knowledge and skills in the use of basic
vocabularies, materials, traditional and technology-based tools, techniques, and thinking processes of each visual arts discipline.
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 05/05/2009
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Survey of majors administered to students during final critique of Senior seminar course How many students rated the studio program Cycle is every spring semester (year 1 and Yes
and exhibition, based on written questionnaire.
on each learning outcome with an aggregate every subsequent year). At least three
score of 3.5 or better?
program faculty members will review the
Measure Type:
data collected in the survey and report the
Survey
findings to the program director. This is an
indirect assessment, crucial for our
understanding of student perception of the
program. We will perform this survey every
spring, to gather longitudinal data about
student satisfaction, and in order to keep
track of emerging interests and needs.
Evaluation of each student's advanced work in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, How many students satisfied the
and digital media, in individual undergraduate final course critiques.
expectations of each learning outcome with
an aggregate score of 3.5 or better?
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
12/03/2014 3:07 PM
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Cycle is every spring semester (year 1 and Yes
every year following). Reviews will be
conducted within a single discipline per year
(drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking,
and digital media) and rotate through each
discipline on a 5-year cycle. At least three
program faculty members will review the
work and report the findings to the program
director. This is a direct assessment, crucial
for our understanding of performance within
the program.
Page 1 of 9
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Evaluation of each student's oral defense of advanced work in drawing, painting,
sculpture, printmaking, and digital media, in individual undergraduate final course
critiques.
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
Cycle is every spring semester (year 1 and Yes
How many students satisfied the
expectations of each learning outcome with every subsequent year). Reviews will be
conducted within a single discipline per year
aggregate score of 3.5 or better?
(drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking,
and digital media) and rotate through each
discipline on a 5-year cycle. At least three
program faculty members will review the
work and report the findings to the program
director. This is a direct assessment, crucial
for our understanding of performance within
the program.
This process will allow us to pinpoint
weaknesses in particular areas of student
development including proficiency and
application of the skills necessary to achieve
the outcomes noted above.
Evaluation of each student's independent advanced work in drawing, painting, sculpture, How many students satisfied the
printmaking, and digital media, presented during program's final year end critiques of
expectations of each learning outcome with
majors.
an aggregate score of 3.5 or better?
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
Cycle is every spring semester (year 1 and Yes
every subsequent year). At least three
program faculty members will review the
work and report the findings to the program
director. This is a direct assessment, crucial
for our understanding of performance within
the program.
This process will allow us to pinpoint
weaknesses in particular areas of student
development including proficiency and
application of the skills necessary to achieve
the outcomes noted above.
Evaluation of each student's oral defense of independent advanced work in drawing,
How many students satisfied the
painting, sculpture, printmaking, and digital media, presented during program's final year expectations of each learning outcome with
end critiques of majors.
an aggregate score of 3.5 or better?
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
Cycle is every spring semester (year 1 and Yes
every subsequent year). At least three
program faculty members will review the
work and report the findings to the program
director. This is a direct assessment, crucial
for our understanding of performance within
the program.
This process will allow us to pinpoint
weaknesses in particular areas of student
development including proficiency and
application of the skills necessary to achieve
the outcomes noted above.
Department will conduct a focus group of faculty to gather input on the degree to which
students majoring in the program meet this outcome.
Measure Type:
Focus Group
12/03/2014 3:07 PM
Notes on strengths and weakness in the
Every other year beginning Spring of 2012 Yes
learning outcomes will be taken and
addressed through curriculum, facilities, and
equipment updates as needed.
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Page 2 of 9
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
In May of 2013 a faculty of four full time professors of art formed a panel to review the
capstone projects of our graduating majors and selected minors. These students formed
the second cohort of our class, "Senior Seminar," which requires graduating majors and
invited minors to create a cohesive body of artwork, self-direct research, contribute to
peer critique, hone writing skills, and mount an exhibition of the artwork made during the
semester.
Schedule/Cycle
Active
hopes are for this to be an annual event
Yes
The faculty panel and students met in the exhibition space of the Katzen Art Center.
Students were asked to present their work orally and to provide a written artist statement.
Faculty then asked a series of questions regarding the nature of the work, the materials
chosen, the technical process involved in the creation, and the contemporary and
historical context/precedent for the work. Students were each engaged in a dialogue
about the research that lead to the final piece/s. Finally faculty read the artist statement.
Following each assessment, faculty filled out the form (attached in the Documents tab)
and the student was handed an assessment form to fill out as well.
Measure Type:
Presentation
Related Action Steps
* Supporting Assessment: Purchase of relevant technology and tools for digital media and printmaking areas
Description: During our recent faculty focus groups, we assessed an equipment shortage in the digital media area. As this area relies heavily on giving students access to up to date
software and hardware in the field it is a financial challenge to our department to procure the necessary equipment. In the Fall of 2012 we were able to direct funds to
purchase the following items:
Lowel Basically 3 Kit, LB-35 Soft Case
Price: $895.99
Westcott X-Drop Kit (5 x 7', Green Screen)
Price: $99.90
Manfrotto 143 Magic Arm Kit
Price: $139.99
Manfrotto 055XPROB Aluminum Tripod Legs (Black)
Price: $149.90
Manfrotto 502HD Pro Video Head with Flat Base (3/8"-16 Connection)
Price: $179.95
Manfrotto 127VS Variable Leg Spread Portable Dolly (Black)
Price: $189.00
There remain several key items we need to be able to equip our students with the skills they will need to compete and perform successfully in this field if they are to
continue on to graduate study in the area of digital media. Many of these items are incredibly expensive and need to be addressed within the larger budget of the
department.
In addition it was noted that our printmaking facilities were in need of replacement/repair. In addition, foundation level printmaking courses were needed and adjunct
faculty in the area were added. We have a new resident printmaker who has agreed to a generous donation of new printmaking presses to the studio art department.
12/03/2014 3:07 PM
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Page 3 of 9
Learning Outcome: Analysis
Students will be able to develop and present basic analyses of works of art from formal, historical, and cultural perspectives.
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 05/05/2009
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Student survey administered to students during final critiques, based on written
questionnaire.
Measure Type:
Survey
How many students rated the studio program Cycle is every spring semester (year 1 and Yes
on each learning outcome with an aggregate every subsequent year). At least three
score of 3.5 or better?
program faculty members will review the
data collected in the survey and report the
findings to the program director. This is an
indirect assessment, crucial for our
understanding of student perception of the
program. We will perform this survey every
spring, to gather longitudinal data about
student satisfaction, and in order to keep
track of emerging interests and needs.
Evaluation of each student's advanced work in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, How many students satisfied the
and digital media, in individual undergraduate final course critiques.
expectations of each learning outcome with
an aggregate score of 3.5 or better?
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
Evaluation of each student's oral defense of advanced work in drawing, painting,
sculpture, printmaking, and digital media, in individual undergraduate final course
critiques.
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
12/03/2014 3:07 PM
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Cycle is every spring semester (year 1 and Yes
every subsequent year). Reviews will be
conducted within a single discipline per year
(drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking,
and digital media) and rotate through each
discipline on a 5-year cycle. At least three
program faculty members will review the
work and report the findings to the program
director. This is a direct assessment, crucial
for our understanding of performance within
the program.
Cycle is every spring semester (year 1 and Yes
How many students satisfied the
expectations of each learning outcome with every subsequent year). Reviews will be
conducted within a single discipline per year
aggregate score of 3.5 or better?
(drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking,
and digital media) and rotate through each
discipline on a 5-year cycle. At least three
program faculty members will review the
work and report the findings to the program
director. This is a direct assessment, crucial
for our understanding of performance within
the program.
This process will allow us to pinpoint
weaknesses in particular areas of student
development including proficiency and
application of the skills necessary to achieve
the outcomes noted above.
Generated by TracDat a product of Nuventive.
Page 4 of 9
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Evaluation of each student's independent advanced work in drawing, painting, sculpture, How many students satisfied the
printmaking, and digital media, presented during program's final year end critiques of
expectations of each learning outcome with
majors.
an aggregate score of 3.5 or better?
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
Cycle is every spring semester (year 1 and Yes
every subsequent year). At least three
program faculty members will review the
work and report the findings to the program
director. This is a direct assessment, crucial
for our understanding of performance within
the program.
This process will allow us to pinpoint
weaknesses in particular areas of student
development including proficiency and
application of the skills necessary to achieve
the outcomes noted above.
Evaluation of each student's oral defense of independent advanced work in drawing,
How many students satisfied the
painting, sculpture, printmaking, and digital media, presented during program's final year expectations of each learning outcome with
end critiques of majors.
an aggregate score of 3.5 or better?
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
Cycle is every spring semester (year 1 and Yes
every subsequent year). At least three
program faculty members will review the
work and report the findings to the program
director. This is a direct assessment, crucial
for our understanding of performance within
the program.
This process will allow us to pinpoint
weaknesses in particular areas of student
development including proficiency and
application of the skills necessary to achieve
the outcomes noted above.
In May of 2013 a faculty of four full time professors of art formed a panel to review the
capstone projects of our graduating majors and selected minors. These students formed
the second cohort of our class, "Senior Seminar," which requires graduating majors and
invited minors to create a cohesive body of artwork, self-direct research, contribute to
peer critique, hone writing skills, and mount an exhibition of the artwork made during the
semester.
hopes are for this to be an annual event.
Yes
The faculty panel and students met in the exhibition space of the Katzen Art Center.
Students were asked to present their work orally and to provide a written artist statement.
Faculty then asked a series of questions regarding the nature of the work, the materials
chosen, the technical process involved in the creation, and the contemporary and
historical context/precedent for the work. Students were each engaged in a dialogue
about the research that lead to the final piece/s. Finally faculty read the artist statement.
Following each assessment, faculty filled out the form (attached in the Documents tab)
and the student was handed an assessment form to fill out as well.
Measure Type:
Presentation
Learning Outcome: Methodologies
Students will be able to have an ability to discuss exemplary works of art from a variety of other cultures and historical periods and to understand a variety of methodologies to approach the making of art.
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
12/03/2014 3:07 PM
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Page 5 of 9
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 05/05/2009
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Student survey administered to students during final critiques, based on written
questionnaire.
Measure Type:
Survey
How many students rated the studio program Cycle is every spring semester (year 1 and Yes
on each learning outcome with an aggregate every subsequent year). At least three
score of 3.5 or better?
program faculty members will review the
data collected in the survey and report the
findings to the program director. This is an
indirect assessment, crucial for our
understanding of student perception of the
program. We will perform this survey every
spring, to gather longitudinal data about
student satisfaction, and in order to keep
track of emerging interests and needs.
Evaluation of each student's advanced work in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, How many students satisfied the
and digital media, in individual undergraduate final course critiques.
expectations of each learning outcome with
an aggregate score of 3.5 or better?
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
Evaluation of each student's oral defense of advanced work in drawing, painting,
sculpture, printmaking, and digital media, in individual undergraduate final course
critiques.
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
12/03/2014 3:07 PM
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Cycle is every spring semester (year 1 and Yes
every subsequent year). Reviews will be
conducted within a single discipline per year
(drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking,
and digital media) and rotate through each
discipline on a 5-year cycle. At least three
program faculty members will review the
work and report the findings to the program
director. This is a direct assessment, crucial
for our understanding of performance within
the program.
Cycle is every spring semester (year 1 and Yes
How many students satisfied the
expectations of each learning outcome with every subsequent year). Reviews will be
conducted within a single discipline per year
aggregate score of 3.5 or better?
(drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking,
and digital media) and rotate through each
discipline on a 5-year cycle. At least three
program faculty members will review the
work and report the findings to the program
director. This is a direct assessment, crucial
for our understanding of performance within
the program.
This process will allow us to pinpoint
weaknesses in particular areas of student
development including proficiency and
application of the skills necessary to achieve
the outcomes noted above.
Generated by TracDat a product of Nuventive.
Page 6 of 9
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Evaluation of each student's independent advanced work in drawing, painting, sculpture, How many students satisfied the
printmaking, and digital media, presented during program's final year end critiques of
expectations of each learning outcome with
majors.
an aggregate score of 3.5 or better?
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
Cycle is every spring semester (year 1 and Yes
every subsequent year). At least three
program faculty members will review the
work and report the findings to the program
director. This is a direct assessment, crucial
for our understanding of performance within
the program.
This process will allow us to pinpoint
weaknesses in particular areas of student
development including proficiency and
application of the skills necessary to achieve
the outcomes noted above.
Evaluation of each student's oral defense of independent advanced work in drawing,
How many students satisfied the
painting, sculpture, printmaking, and digital media, presented during program's final year expectations of each learning outcome with
end critiques of majors.
an aggregate score of 3.5 or better?
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
Cycle is every spring semester (year 1 and Yes
every subsequent year). At least three
program faculty members will review the
work and report the findings to the program
director. This is a direct assessment, crucial
for our understanding of performance within
the program.
This process will allow us to pinpoint
weaknesses in particular areas of student
development including proficiency and
application of the skills necessary to achieve
the outcomes noted above.
In May of 2013 a faculty of four full time professors of art formed a panel to review the
capstone projects of our graduating majors and selected minors. These students formed
the second cohort of our class, "Senior Seminar," which requires graduating majors and
invited minors to create a cohesive body of artwork, self-direct research, contribute to
peer critique, hone writing skills, and mount an exhibition of the artwork made during the
semester.
Yes
The faculty panel and students met in the exhibition space of the Katzen Art Center.
Students were asked to present their work orally and to provide a written artist statement.
Faculty then asked a series of questions regarding the nature of the work, the materials
chosen, the technical process involved in the creation, and the contemporary and
historical context/precedent for the work. Students were each engaged in a dialogue
about the research that lead to the final piece/s. Finally faculty read the artist statement.
Following each assessment, faculty filled out the form (attached in the Documents tab)
and the student was handed an assessment form to fill out as well.
One question on the form asked for ratings of student proficiency in these areas: drawing,
painting, sculpture, digital media, and printmaking.
Measure Type:
Presentation
Learning Outcome: Disciplines
Students will be able to relate basic types of arts knowledge and skills within and across the visual arts disciplines, and to make connections with other disciplines.
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
12/03/2014 3:07 PM
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Page 7 of 9
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 05/05/2009
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Student survey administered to students during final critiques, based on written
questionnaire.
Measure Type:
Survey
How many students rated the studio program Cycle is every spring semester (year 1 and Yes
on each learning outcome with an aggregate every subsequent year). At least three
score of 3.5 or better?
program faculty members will review the
data collected in the survey and report the
findings to the program director. This is an
indirect assessment, crucial for our
understanding of student perception of the
program. We will perform this survey every
spring, to gather longitudinal data about
student satisfaction, and in order to keep
track of emerging interests and needs.
Evaluation of each student's advanced work in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, How many students satisfied the
and digital media, in individual undergraduate final course critiques.
expectations of each learning outcome with
an aggregate score of 3.5 or better?
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
Evaluation of each student's oral defense of advanced work in drawing, painting,
sculpture, printmaking, and digital media, in individual undergraduate final course
critiques.
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
12/03/2014 3:07 PM
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Cycle is every spring semester (year 1 and Yes
every subsequent year). Reviews will be
conducted within a single discipline per year
(drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking,
and digital media) and rotate through each
discipline on a 5-year cycle. At least three
program faculty members will review the
work and report the findings to the program
director. This is a direct assessment, crucial
for our understanding of performance within
the program.
Cycle is every spring semester (year 1 and Yes
How many students satisfied the
expectations of each learning outcome with every subsequent year). Reviews will be
conducted within a single discipline per year
aggregate score of 3.5 or better?
(drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking,
and digital media) and rotate through each
discipline on a 5-year cycle. At least three
program faculty members will review the
work and report the findings to the program
director. This is a direct assessment, crucial
for our understanding of performance within
the program.
This process will allow us to pinpoint
weaknesses in particular areas of student
development including proficiency and
application of the skills necessary to achieve
the outcomes noted above.
Generated by TracDat a product of Nuventive.
Page 8 of 9
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Evaluation of each student's independent advanced work in drawing, painting, sculpture, How many students satisfied the
printmaking, and digital media, presented during program's final year end critiques of
expectations of each learning outcome with
majors.
an aggregate score of 3.5 or better?
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
Cycle is every spring semester (year 1 and Yes
every subsequent year). At least three
program faculty members will review the
work and report the findings to the program
director. This is a direct assessment, crucial
for our understanding of performance within
the program.
This process will allow us to pinpoint
weaknesses in particular areas of student
development including proficiency and
application of the skills necessary to achieve
the outcomes noted above.
Evaluation of each student's oral defense of independent advanced work in drawing,
How many students satisfied the
painting, sculpture, printmaking, and digital media, presented during program's final year expectations of each learning outcome with
end critiques of majors.
an aggregate score of 3.5 or better?
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
Cycle is every spring semester (year 1 and Yes
every subsequent year). At least three
program faculty members will review the
work and report the findings to the program
director. This is a direct assessment, crucial
for our understanding of performance within
the program.
This process will allow us to pinpoint
weaknesses in particular areas of student
development including proficiency and
application of the skills necessary to achieve
the outcomes noted above.
In May of 2013 a faculty of four full time professors of art formed a panel to review the
capstone projects of our graduating majors and selected minors. These students formed
the second cohort of our class, "Senior Seminar," which requires graduating majors and
invited minors to create a cohesive body of artwork, self-direct research, contribute to
peer critique, hone writing skills, and mount an exhibition of the artwork made during the
semester.
Yes
The faculty panel and students met in the exhibition space of the Katzen Art Center.
Students were asked to present their work orally and to provide a written artist statement.
Faculty then asked a series of questions regarding the nature of the work, the materials
chosen, the technical process involved in the creation, and the contemporary and
historical context/precedent for the work. Students were each engaged in a dialogue
about the research that lead to the final piece/s. Finally faculty read the artist statement.
Following each assessment, faculty filled out the form (attached in the Documents tab)
and the student was handed an assessment form to fill out as well.
Several of the ratings had to do with knowledge and skills in the disciplines.
Measure Type:
Presentation
12/03/2014 3:07 PM
Generated by TracDat a product of Nuventive.
Page 9 of 9