Program Assessment Plan
American University
CAS: History with Concentration in Public History - MA
CAS: History with Concentration in Public History - MA
Contact Person for Daniel Kerr
Assessment:
Primary Department: History
Learning Outcome: Public History: Knowledge of Sub-Discipline
Public History students will demonstrate knowledge of the sub-discipline of public history, its historiography and the current, overarching paradigms, theories, and ethics that define professional practice
(seminar, portfolio essay, capstone project, essay for outside field).
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 10/04/2011
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Review final exams and projects for HIST 729-730, Seminar - Practicum series will be
evaluated by the instructor and Director of Public History.
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
85% of students will be able to define public Triennial review by instructor and Director Yes
history and explain its overarching theories, of Public History. Begins Spring 2012.
methods, and ethics.
Faculty in the program will assess the acquisition of professional knowledge and skills
through the final portfolio.
All students are required to publicly present and submit a final, digital portfolio of their
work at the end of their studies. The portfolio should demonstrate competency in
historical research and writing, specialization in a tool of research and an area of
professional practice, mastery of professional methods in documentation and
interpretation, and embodiment of professional dispositions and abilities.
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
85% of students will be able to explain what Director of Public History along with
Yes
public history is and its contribution to
faculty, including public history
public dialog on the past.
professionals who teach in our program.
80% of students will demonstrate
Triennially in May. Beginning Spring 2013.
competency in documentation and
interpretation as well as the acquisition of
professional skills, dispositions, and abilities
through their work on public projects.
80% of students will demonstrate a high
level of analytical thinking, the ability to
conduct research using a variety of sources
including visual and material culture, and
the application of both through public
history projects.
Practicum Assessment: survey to measure students' understanding of the field of public
history and students' ability to articulate the skills needed to successfully engage in a
collaborative research project with a community partner.
Measure Type:
Other
85% of graduates will be able to
Instructor for the spring semester practicum Yes
demonstrate a deep understanding of the
course will triennially administer a survey of
intellectual underpinnings and professional students. Begins Spring 2013.
skills and methods of the field.
12/03/2014 2:07 PM
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Schedule/Cycle
Page 1 of 6
Active
Learning Outcome: Public History: Historical Documentation
Public History students will master current methods and skills in historical documentation and interpretation to make history accessible and useful to the public
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 10/04/2011
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Review final exams and projects for HIST 729-730, Seminar - Practicum series will be
evaluated by the instructor and Director of Public History.
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
85% of students will be able to define public Triennial review by instructor and Director Yes
history and explain its overarching theories, of Public History. Begins Spring semester
methods, and ethics.
2012.
80% of interns should be rated overall as
Supervisor's evaluation and student's final report from HIST-691: Internship will be
collected with the help of Career Services and evaluated by faculty in the public history excellent by supervisors.
program.
Measure Type:
Field Work/ Internship
Schedule/Cycle
Triennial review by Director of Public
History. Begins Spring 2012.
Active
Yes
Faculty in the program will assess the acquisition of professional knowledge and skills
through the final portfolio.
All students are required to publicly present and submit a final, digital portfolio of their
work at the end of their studies. The portfolio should demonstrate competency in
historical research and writing, specialization in a tool of research and an area of
professional practice, mastery of professional methods in documentation and
interpretation, and embodiment of professional dispositions and abilities.
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
85% of students will be able to explain what Director of Public History along with
Yes
public history is and its contribution to
faculty, including public history
public dialog on the past.
professionals who teach in our program.
80% of students will demonstrate
Triennially in May. Beginning Spring 2013.
competency in documentation and
interpretation as well as the acquisition of
professional skills, dispositions, and abilities
through their work on public projects.
80% of students will demonstrate a high
level of analytical thinking, the ability to
conduct research using a variety of sources
including visual and material culture, and
the application of both through public
history projects.
Public history elective courses offered over 2 years will be reviewed to ensure that
sufficient professional courses are available to all students during a typical program of
study.
Measure Type:
Other
100% of students will have access to two or
more professional courses through the
History Department, Arts Management,
Public Anthropology, or programs within
the Washington Consortium.
Chair and Program Director will review
Yes
course offerings annually to ensure that
sufficient courses are offered. Beginning in
Spring 2012.
Related Action Steps
* Supporting Assessment: Curriculum Review
Description: Public history elective courses offered over 2 years will be reviewed to ensure that sufficient professional courses are available to all students during a typical
program of study.
100% of students will have access to two or more professional courses through the History Department, Arts Management, Public Anthropology, or programs within
the Washington Consortium.
Chair and Program Director will review course offerings annually to ensure that sufficient courses are offered.
Advisory board will be convened annually to consult on range and content of elective courses and will include faculty from Arts Management, Public Anthropology,
12/03/2014 2:07 PM
Generated by TracDat a product of Nuventive.
Page 2 of 6
Communications, and SETH.
Learning Outcome: Public History: Specialization
Public History students will demonstrate specialization in one area of public history distinct from the tool of research. This can include: Community history and documentation, curatorial practice,
collections and archival management, new media production, informal education.
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 10/04/2011
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
80% of interns should be rated excellent by Triennial review by Director of Public
Supervisor's evaluation and student's final report from HIST-691: Internship will be
History. Begins Summer 2014.
collected with the help of Career Services and evaluated by faculty in the public history supervisors.
program.
Measure Type:
Field Work/ Internship
Active
Yes
Faculty in the program will assess the acquisition of professional knowledge and skills
through the final portfolio.
All students are required to publicly present and submit a final, digital portfolio of their
work at the end of their studies. The portfolio should demonstrate competency in
historical research and writing, specialization in a tool of research and an area of
professional practice, mastery of professional methods in documentation and
interpretation, and embodiment of professional dispositions and abilities.
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
85% of students will be able to explain what Director of Public History along with
Yes
public history is and its contribution to
faculty, including public history
public dialog on the past.
professionals who teach in our program.
80% of students will demonstrate
Triennially in May. Beginning Spring 2013.
competency in documentation and
interpretation as well as the acquisition of
professional skills, dispositions, and abilities
through their work on public projects.
80% of students will demonstrate a high
level of analytical thinking, the ability to
conduct research using a variety of sources
including visual and material culture, and
the application of both through public
history projects.
Public history elective courses offered over 2 years will be reviewed to ensure that
sufficient professional courses are available to all students during a typical program of
study.
Measure Type:
Other
100% of students will have access to two or Chair and Program Director will review
more professional courses through the
course offerings annually to ensure that
History Department, Arts Management,
sufficient courses are offered.
Public Anthropology, or programs within
the Washington Consortium.
Yes
Related Action Steps
* Supporting Assessment: Curriculum Review
Description: Public history elective courses offered over 2 years will be reviewed to ensure that sufficient professional courses are available to all students during a typical
program of study.
100% of students will have access to two or more professional courses through the History Department, Arts Management, Public Anthropology, or programs within
the Washington Consortium.
Chair and Program Director will review course offerings annually to ensure that sufficient courses are offered.
Advisory board will be convened annually to consult on range and content of elective courses and will include faculty from Arts Management, Public Anthropology,
Communications, and SETH.
12/03/2014 2:07 PM
Generated by TracDat a product of Nuventive.
Page 3 of 6
Learning Outcome: Public History: Professional Disposition
Public History students will embody a set of professional dispositions and abilities critical to the success of public historians, including: flexibility, empathy, leadership, and diplomacy. They will be able
to work collaboratively, organize and manage projects, and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 10/04/2011
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
80% of interns should be rated excellent by Triennial review by Director of Public
Supervisor's evaluation and student's final report from HIST-691: Internship will be
History. Begins Summer 2014.
collected with the help of Career Services and evaluated by faculty in the public history supervisors.
program.
Measure Type:
Field Work/ Internship
Active
Yes
Director of Public History along with
Yes
faculty, including public history
professionals who teach in our program.
Triennially in May. Beginning Spring 2013.
Faculty in the program will assess the acquisition of professional knowledge and skills
through the final portfolio.
All students are required to publicly present and submit a final, digital portfolio of their
work at the end of their studies. The portfolio should demonstrate competency in
historical research and writing, specialization in a tool of research and an area of
professional practice, mastery of professional methods in documentation and
interpretation, and embodiment of professional dispositions and abilities.
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
85% of students will have done two of the
following: attended professional
development seminars offered by the
department, joined a professional
organizations, participated in a regional or
national conference or in a professional
advocacy event.
Practicum Assessment: survey to measure students' understanding of the field of public
history and students' ability to articulate the skills needed to successfully engage in a
collaborative research project with a community partner.
Measure Type:
Survey
85% of graduates will be able to
Instructor for the spring semester practicum Yes
demonstrate a deep understanding of the
course will triennially administer a survey of
intellectual underpinnings and professional students. Begins Spring 2013.
skills and methods of the field.
Learning Outcome: Public History: Institutional Landscape
Public History students will understand the institutional landscape of public history, including a familiarity with the governance structure and funding support for non-profits and the federal sector.
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 10/04/2011
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
12/03/2014 2:07 PM
Target
Generated by TracDat a product of Nuventive.
Schedule/Cycle
Page 4 of 6
Active
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Active
80% of interns should be rated excellent by Triennial review by Director of Public
Supervisor's evaluation and student's final report from HIST-691: Internship will be
History. Begins summer 2014.
collected with the help of Career Services and evaluated by faculty in the public history supervisors.
program.
Measure Type:
Field Work/ Internship
Yes
Public history elective courses offered over 2 years will be reviewed to ensure that
sufficient professional courses are available to all students during a typical program of
study.
Measure Type:
Other
Yes
100% of students will have access to two or Chair and Program Director will review
more professional courses through the
course offerings annually to ensure that
History Department, Arts Management,
sufficient courses are offered.
Public Anthropology, or programs within
the Washington Consortium.
Related Action Steps
* Supporting Assessment: Curriculum Review
Description: Public history elective courses offered over 2 years will be reviewed to ensure that sufficient professional courses are available to all students during a typical
program of study.
100% of students will have access to two or more professional courses through the History Department, Arts Management, Public Anthropology, or programs within
the Washington Consortium.
Chair and Program Director will review course offerings annually to ensure that sufficient courses are offered.
Advisory board will be convened annually to consult on range and content of elective courses and will include faculty from Arts Management, Public Anthropology,
Communications, and SETH.
Learning Outcome: Public History: Professional Communities
Public History students will become active members of their professional communities. They will do two of the following before they graduate: attend professional development seminars offered by the
department, join a professional organization, participate in a regional or national conference or in a professional advocacy event.
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 10/04/2011
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
80% of interns should be rated excellent by Trieenial review by Director of Public
Supervisor's evaluation and student's final report from HIST-691: Internship will be
History. Begins Summer 2014.
collected with the help of Career Services and evaluated by faculty in the public history supervisors.
program.
Measure Type:
Field Work/ Internship
12/03/2014 2:07 PM
Generated by TracDat a product of Nuventive.
Page 5 of 6
Active
Yes
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Faculty in the program will assess the acquisition of professional knowledge and skills
through the final portfolio.
All students are required to publicly present and submit a final, digital portfolio of their
work at the end of their studies. The portfolio should demonstrate competency in
historical research and writing, specialization in a tool of research and an area of
professional practice, mastery of professional methods in documentation and
interpretation, and embodiment of professional dispositions and abilities.
Measure Type:
Paper/Project
85% of students will have done two of the
following: attend professional development
seminars offered by the department, join a
professional organization, participate in a
regional or national conference or in a
professional advocacy event.
Director of Public History along with
Yes
faculty, including public history
professionals who teach in our program.
Triennially in May. Beginning Spring 2013.
12/03/2014 2:07 PM
Generated by TracDat a product of Nuventive.
Page 6 of 6
Active