Assessment Report Standard Format
July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012
PROGRAM(S) ASSESSED
ASSESSMENT COORDINATOR
YEAR
POLITICAL SCIENCE
Donna M. Schlagheck, Chair, Political Science
3 of a 5 YEAR CYCLE
1. ASSESSMENT MEASURES EMPLOYED
Briefly describe the assessment measures employed during the year.
 What was done: writing samples from PLS 4550,4700,and 4565 were reviewed,
exit interviews were conducted with graduating seniors and with local employers of
our graduates and interns
 Who participated in the process: chair conducted interviews, and professors provided
sample papers from selected classes
 What challenges (if any) were encountered: none were encountered
2. ASSESSMENT FINDINGS
List the objectives and outcomes assessed during the year, and briefly describe the
findings for each.
Objective #1 Graduates will obtain employment in their chosen career field.
Our graduates have obtained employment in a wide variety of careers,
ranging from a lobbyist focused on human trafficking, to intelligence analyst,
to commissioned Air Force officer.
Objective #2 Graduates will secure admission to law school or graduate school in political
science or a related field. One of our 25 graduates sought admission to a
Ph.D. program and is now studying at WVU on a full fellowship. Four of four
applicants to law school were admitted.
Objective #3Graduates will be prepared to assume their roles as effective and informed
citizens. All graduating seniors confirmed they are registered to vote. Many
have volunteered in 2012 campaigns.
3. RESPONSE TO ASSESSMENT FINDINGS
List planned or actual changes (if any) to curriculum, teaching methods, facilities, or
services that are in response to the assessment findings.
Student interest in internship opportunities was easily met due to a 2012 election;
we continue to explore additional internship opportunities at the Advanced Technical
Intelligence Center (ATIC), and we have converted our Model UN Advisory Board to an
Alumni Society, which now serves as an extremely useful source of contacts for graduates
seeking employment in the federal government in Washington, D.C.
4. ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES FOR COMING YEAR
Briefly describe the learning outcomes to be assessed during the upcoming year and the
measures that will be used to assess them.
#1 Graduates will be effective writers. 3000 and 4000 level paper assignments
will be randomly sampled and reviewed
#2 Graduates will be able to produce analyses of political issues, ranging across
domestic politics and international affairs. The sample papers will be examined
for this capacity, as well.
5. UNIVERSITY LEARNING OUTCOME ASSESSMENT
As part of the HLC Academy project, each program of study will eventually assess two
University Learning Outcomes in required courses in the major. One outcome will be
assessed in 2014-15, and the second will be added in 2015-16. Identify the two ULOs that
will be assessed and, if possible, the likely course(s) to be used.
University Learning Outcomes: Wright State graduates will be able to:
1. communicate effectively
2. demonstrate mathematical literacy
3. evaluate arguments and evidence critically
4. apply the methods of inquiry of the natural sciences, social sciences, and the arts and
humanities
5. demonstrate global and multicultural competence
6. demonstrate understanding of contemporary social and ethical issues *******to be assessed*****
7. participate in democratic society as informed and civically engaged citizens *****to be assessed
PLS 2120 American Government and PLS 2220 International Politics are required of all majors and
will assessed for learning outcomes #6 and #7. These are the only two classes every major must
take.