Department of Economics and Business
Cornell College
Assessment Plan
2011-2013
Mission Statement
The Department of Economics and Business cultivates analytical and quantitative
approaches to solving economic problems facing families, businesses, and nations. Our
interdisciplinary curriculum offers a rigorous program in economic theory, applied
economics and finance. Cornell’s distinctive calendar allows us to deepen students’
understanding of economic problems through experiential learning. The department
believes that these subjects are best understood in a liberal arts setting.
Department’s Goals
1. To enable students to master concepts central to economics and finance.
2. To enable students to reason analytically.
3. To enable students to argue using statistics and graphs.
4. To improve students’ skills in using software tools used in businesses and graduate
schools.
5. To improve students’ oral and written communication skills.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Upon completion of the major, students will demonstrate mastery of foundational
concepts in economics and finance.
2. Upon completion of the major, students will communicate economic and business
issues in effective written and oral presentations.
3. Upon completion of the major, students will demonstrate the ability to describe,
analyze, and interpret quantitative information.
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4. Upon completion of the major, students will be prepared either for a range of careers in
business and government or for graduate school or both.
5. Upon completion of the major, students will apply economic and financial reasoning in
developing solutions to problems facing households, businesses, or governments.
Mapping Learning Opportunities to Outcomes
The tables below illustrate how the outcomes desired by the ECB department are supported by
a) specific ECB classes and b) regularly-held activities between ECB faculty and ECB students.
The two approaches to supporting ECB outcomes are described as opportunities within the
curriculum and opportunities outside the curriculum, respectively.
2
D
D
D
M
M
D, E
D, E
I
I
D,E
I,D
I,D
I
I,D
M
M
D
I
D
D
D
D
D
I
D
D
Quantitative Literacy Course
M
M
M
D
D
Capstone Seminar
Targeted Outcome is I – Introduced; D – Developed; M – Mastered; E – Experienced
M
M
D
D,E
D,M
D,M
M,E
M
M
D,M
D,M
D
D
D
I,D
D,E
D,E
356
354
352
323
321
258
254
208
340
337
320
261
257
251
243
Application-intensive Courses
D,E
D
I,D
D
225
223
210
206
341
311
302
301
151
102
101
Theory-intensive Courses
I,D
I
D
D,M
I,D
I
I,D
I
Be prepared for
graduate school
I,D
D
I
I
Be prepared for
a range of
careers
M
D,M
D,M
I
I,D
I
Demonstrate mastery of
concepts in economics and
finance
Targeted Outcomes
Educational Opportunities within the Curriculum
Applied Courses with
Experiential Learning Components
3
I
I (for W only)
I
D
I
I,D
I
D,M
D
I,D
D
D
I
D
Quantitative Literacy Course
320
340
208
M
M
M
D
I,D
D
M
D
D
D,M
D,M
M
M
M
D
D
D,E
M,E
Targeted Outcome is I – Introduced; D – Developed; M – Mastered; E – Experienced
M
M
M
M
356
354
352
323
321
258
Application-intensive Courses
254
337
261
D
257
251
243
225
I,D
I,D
210
223
D
D
206
341
311
302
301
151
102
101
Theory-intensive Courses
D
D
D
D
D,M
Communicate economic and
business issues in effective
written and oral presentations.
Apply economic and financial
reasoning to problems
facing households,
businesses, or governments.
Targeted Outcomes
Educational Opportunities within the Curriculum
Applied Courses with
Experiential Learning Components
Capstone Seminar
4
Educational Opportunities within the Curriculum
Quantitative Literacy Course
356
354
M
321
M
Targeted Outcome is I – Introduced; D – Developed; M – Mastered; E – Experienced
352
258
D
Capstone Seminar
323
254
340
M
D
337
M
208
320
M
261
257
D
243
D
251
225
D
223
210
206
341
311
302
301
151
102
Applied Courses with
Experiential Learning Components
Application-intensive Courses
I
Demonstrate the ability to describe, analyze, and interpret
quantitative information.
Targeted Outcomes
101
Theory-intensive Courses
5
Be prepared for a
range of careers .
Demonstrate
mastery of
concepts in
economics and
finance.
Communicate
economic and
business issues in
effective written
and oral
presentations.
Targeted Outcomes
Be prepared for
graduate school.
Educational Opportunities outside the Curriculum
Academic
Advising
Independent
Studies
FacultyStudent
Research
For-credit
Internships
Reading
Groups
FacultyStudent Social
Events
Visiting
Experts
Student
Groups
I,D
D,M
M
I,D
I
I
I
I
D,E
I
I
I
I,D
D
D,M
D,M
I
I,D
D,M
D,M
I,D,M
I,D
I,D, and M for
ODE only
D
Targeted Outcome is I – Introduced; D – Developed; M – Mastered; E – Experienced
I,D,E for ODE
and SIFE
6
Apply economic
and financial
reasoning to
problems facing
households,
businesses, or
governments.
Targeted Outcomes
Educational Opportunities outside the Curriculum
Academic
Advising
Independent
Studies
FacultyStudent
Research
For-credit
Internships
Reading
Groups
I
D,M
M
I,D,M,E
I,D
FacultyStudent Social
Events
Visiting
Experts
Student
Groups
I,D,E
I,D, and M for
all groups and
E for only
Targeted Outcome is I – Introduced; D – Developed; M – Mastered; E – Experienced
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Information Priorities
Please see ECB QL outcome assessment design.doc.
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