Program Assessment Plan
American University
SIS: International Affairs: International Politics - MA
SIS: International Affairs: International Politics - MA
Contact Person for Charlotte Friar
Assessment:
Learning Outcome: Understanding Global Politics
Understand the field of global politics with a particular emphasis on the historical, political and economic forces that shape contemporary relations among states and societies.
Outcome Year: 2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 01/01/2014
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Measure 1: Global International Relations Theory (GIRT) and History of Global Politics 75% will be assessed at expectations or
above in their final papers.
(HGP) ensure students acquire foundational knowledge in the field of global politics.
The GGPS Assessment Committee will review a random sample of final exams from
each core course using a rubric to assess the students? understanding of political and
economic forces that shape contemporary relations among states and societies using a 5point scale (Exemplary, Above Expectations, At Expectations, Below Expectations, Not
Acceptable).
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
The GGPS Assessment Committee will
Yes
assess a random sample of final exams from
the HGP and GIRT courses at the end of
Spring 2014.
Measure 2: Feedback from students through a yearly survey in which they score the
75% of students will score the effectiveness
effectiveness of Global International Relations Theory (GIRT) and the History of Global of the two core courses at a 4 or above on
Politics (HGP) in providing them with foundational knowledge in the field.
the 5 point scale.
Measure Type:
Survey
The GGPS Office will implement a student Yes
review of GIRT and HGP beginning at the
end of the Spring 2014 semester. The results
of student surveys will be discussed by the
affiliated core faculty and program
administrators, and will be used as an aid in
assessing content and teaching methods.
Learning Outcome: Specialized Knowledge in Concentration
Have a specialized theoretical and applied knowledge in their chosen concentration of global governance or global security.
Outcome Year: 2014-2015
Start Date: 01/01/2014
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
12/12/2014 3:51 PM
Target
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Schedule/Cycle
Page 1 of 4
Active
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Measure 1a: The GGPS Assessment Committee will attend Practica Program internal
75% will be assessed at expectations or
presentations and will assess participating GGPS students using a rubric focused on
above in their Practica Program internal
students? specialized knowledge using a 5-point scale (Exemplary, Above Expectations, presentations.
At Expectations, Below Expectations, Not Acceptable).
Measure Type:
Presentation
The GGPS Assessment Committee will
Yes
assess a random sample of GGPS students in
different Practica Program classes at the end
of
Measure 1b: Assessment of the Substantial Research Paper and Theses. The GGPS
Assessment Committee will assess students? specialized theoretical and applied
knowledge in Global Governance and Global Security on a 5-point scale (Exemplary,
Above Expectations, At Expectations, Below Expectations, Not Acceptable).
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
The GGPS Assessment Committee will
review a random sample of SRPs, and
Theses at the end of Spring 2015.
Yes
Measure 1c: The GGPS Assessment Committee will review a random sample of essays 75% will be assessed at expectations or
from approved concentration courses using a rubric to assess the students? specialized
above in their concentration course essays.
knowledge using a 5-point scale (Exemplary, Above Expectations, At Expectations,
Below Expectations, Not Acceptable).
Measure Type:
Paper/Project
The GGPS Assessment Committee will
assess a random sample of papers from
concentration courses at the end of Spring
2015.
Yes
Measure 2: Feedback from students through a yearly survey in which they score the
effectiveness of the Foundations course and concentration courses in their chosen
substantive area (Global Governance or Global Security) in providing them with
specialized theoretical and applied knowledge.
Measure Type:
Survey
The GGPS Office will implement a student Yes
review of Foundations of Global
Governance or Global Security as well as
concentration courses at the end of the
Spring 2014 semester. The results of student
surveys will be discussed by the affiliated
core faculty and program administrators, and
will be used as an aid in assessing content
and teaching methods.
75% will be assessed at expectations or
above in their final papers.
75% of students will score the effectiveness
of the Foundations course and concentration
courses in their chosen substantive area
(Global Governance or Global Security) in
providing them with specialized theoretical
and applied knowledge at a 4 or above on
the 5 point scale.
Learning Outcome: Analyze Contemporary Policy Problems
Analyze contemporary policy problems drawing on concepts, theory, and empirics.
Outcome Year: 2014-2015
Start Date: 01/01/2014
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Measure 1a: The GGPS Assessment Committee will attend Practica Program internal
75% will be assessed at expectations or
presentations and will assess participating GGPS students using a rubric focused on
above in their Practica Program internal
students? ability to analyze contemporary policy problems drawing on concepts, theory, presentations.
and empirics using a 5-point scale (Exemplary, Above Expectations, At Expectations,
Below Expectations, Not Acceptable).
Measure Type:
Presentation
12/12/2014 3:51 PM
Generated by TracDat a product of Nuventive.
Schedule/Cycle
Active
The GGPS Assessment Committee will
Yes
assess a random sample of GGPS students in
different Practica Program classes at the end
of Fall 2015.
Page 2 of 4
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Measure 1b: Feedback from Practica instructors through a rubric in which they grade
GGPS students? ability to analyze contemporary policy problems drawing on concepts,
theory, and empirics using a 5-point scale (Exemplary, Above Expectations, At
Expectations, Below Expectations, Not Acceptable).
Measure Type:
Survey
75% will be assessed at expectations or
The GGPS Office will disseminate and
Yes
above by their Practica Program instructor. collect rubrics to Practica Program
instructors with GGPS students at the end of
Fall 2015
Measure 1c: Assessment of the Substantial Research Paper and Theses. The GGPS
75% will be assessed at expectation or
Assessment Committee will assess the use of theoretical debates and concepts and
above.
empirical trends to analyze contemporary policy problems on a 5-point scale (Exemplary,
Above Expectations, At Expectations, Below Expectations, Not Acceptable).
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
Measure 2: Feedback from practicum students through a semester survey in which they
grade the effectiveness of the practicum program in helping them analyze contemporary
policy problems.
Measure Type:
Survey
75% of students will give the effectiveness
of the practicum program in helping them
analyze contemporary policy problems a 4
or above on a 5 point scale.
Schedule/Cycle
Active
The GGPS Assessment Committee will
Yes
assess a random sample of SRPs and Theses
at the end of Spring 2015.
The GGPS Office will implement a student Yes
review of the practicum at the end of the
Fall 2015 semester. The results of student
surveys will be discussed by the affiliated
core faculty and program administrators, and
will be used as an aid in assessing the
practicum program.
Learning Outcome: Communicate Analysis Effectively
Communicate analysis effectively (both verbally and in writing).
Outcome Year: 2014-2015
Start Date: 01/01/2014
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Measure 1a: The GGPS Assessment Committee will attend Practica Program internal
presentations and will assess participating GGPS students using a rubric focused on
students? ability communicate analysis effectively using a 5-point scale (Exemplary,
Above Expectations, At Expectations, Below Expectations, Not Acceptable).
Measure Type:
Presentation
75% will be assessed at expectations or
above in their Practica Program internal
presentations.
The GGPS Assessment Committee will
Yes
assess a random sample of GGPS students in
different Practica Program classes at the end
of Fall 2015.
Measure 1b: Feedback from Practica instructors through a rubric in which they assess
GGPS students? ability to communicate analysis effectively using a 5-point scale
(Exemplary, Above Expectations, At Expectations, Below Expectations, Not
Acceptable).
Measure Type:
Survey
75% will be assessed at expectations or
The GGPS Office will disseminate and
Yes
above by their Practica Program instructor. collect rubrics to Practica Program
instructors with GGPS students at the end of
Fall 2015.
12/12/2014 3:51 PM
Generated by TracDat a product of Nuventive.
Page 3 of 4
Active
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Measure 1c: Assessment of the writing quality of Substantial Research Papers and
Theses. The GGPS Assessment Committee will assess the quality of the writing on a 5point scale (Exemplary, Above Expectations, At Expectations, Below Expectations, Not
Acceptable)
Measure Type:
Final Paper/ Final Project
100% of graduates will have completed their The GGPS Assessment Committee will
Yes
final research project(s) with the writing
assess a random sample of SRPs and Theses
assessed at below expectations or higher.
at the end of Spring 2015.
75% will be assessed at expectations or
above.
Measure 2: Assessment of the quality of student?s presentation skills during the SIS 600 75% will be assessed at expectation or
student end of class poster presentations. The GGPS Assessment Committee will assess above.
the ability of students to communicate analysis verbally on a 5-point scale (Exemplary,
Above Expectations, At Expectations, Below Expectations, Not Acceptable)
Measure Type:
Presentation
Schedule/Cycle
Active
The GGPS Assessment Committee will
Yes
assess a random sample of GGPS students
enrolled in SIS 600 on their presentation
skills during their poster presentations at the
end of Fall 2014.
Learning Outcome: Collect, analyze and interpret data.
Collect, analyze and interpret data.
Outcome Year: 2014-2015
Start Date: 01/01/2014
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Measure 1: Assessment of the quality of SIS 600 student end of class poster
75% will be assessed at expectation or
presentations. The GGPS Assessment Committee will assess the quality of projects
above.
(focusing on data collection, analysis, and interpretation) on a 5-point scale (Exemplary,
Above Expectations, At Expectations, Below Expectations, Not Acceptable)
Measure Type:
Presentation
Schedule/Cycle
Active
The GGPS Assessment Committee will
assess a random sample of GGPS students
enrolled in SIS 600 on their poster
presentations at the end of Fall 2014.
Yes
Measure 2: Feedback from professors of GGPS concentration courses through a semester 75% of professors will indicate that students The GGPS Office will distribute and collect Yes
survey in which they grade GGPS students? use of research methods in the course.
are effectively using research methods in
surveys at the end of Fall 2014 and every
their course.
subsequent fall semester.
Measure Type:
Survey
12/12/2014 3:51 PM
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