Assessment Report Standard Format
July 1, 2007- June 30, 2008
PROGRAM(S) ASSESSED ____Department of Classics__________
ASSESSMENT COORDINATOR __David L Barr, Chair___
YEAR __4_____ of a ___5______YEAR CYCLE
1. ASSESSMENT MEASURES EMPLOYED
Briefly describe the assessment measures employed during the year.
 What was done?
Exit Interviews and Questionnaires
There were 8 graduates this year (6 in Classics; 3 in Latin; 1 in Greek—
some were double majors); each met with individual faculty members
and/or the chair to review and assess their performance in the major. Each
was given a departmental questionnaire, but only 4 returned them.
Transcript Evaluation
The transcripts of all graduates were reviewed for range of courses and
levels of accomplishment
Collection of Papers
Papers were collected over 3 years and evaluated this year to assess
students’ writing abilities.
Assessment Meeting
Held as part of the regular fall faculty meeting
 Who participated in the process?
The chair and selected faculty.
 What challenges (if any) were encountered?
Collecting systematic data in an organized way is still an issue. Need better method
to assure students return questionnaires.
2. ASSESSMENT FINDINGS
List the objectives and outcomes assessed during the year, and briefly describe the
findings for each.
Objectives
1. Graduates will be prepared to assume their roles as effective and informed
citizens of our pluralistic democracy.
All respondents indicated the strong satisfaction in this area, 5 out of 5.
2. Graduates of the department will be broadly educated in the classical liberal
arts tradition in order to be effective employees in diverse occupations.
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Assessed by transcript review for range of course taken outside the major
discipline and response to questionnaire.
Findings: Our graduates took a significant number of advanced courses in
Liberal Arts, outside the major, averaging over 8 courses, with a high of 20.
3. Graduates will be prepared to pursue advanced study in Classics.
Assessed by transcript review and exit interviews concerning future
educational plans.
Findings: Five graduates have GPAs that exceed 3.3, the usual threshold for
graduate work. Two of our graduates have been accepted into graduate school,
one with significant financial assistance.
4. Graduates will be prepared to pursue graduate study in diverse fields outside
Classics such as law, medicine and counseling.
Assessed by transcript review and exit interviews.
Findings: None known, but both the strong GPAs (average: 3.45) and the wide
range of course would predict success in such endeavors.
Outcomes
1. Graduates of the program will be effective writers.
Findings: Papers collected over the past 3 years were evaluated for
 Their use of proper documentation
 Their critical use of sources
 Clear statement of thesis
 Thesis supported with adequate arguments
Review of 7 collected papers shows that our students are meeting these
expectations successfully. A summary: 4 of 7 had a clear statement of thesis; 6
of 6 developed adequate arguments; 5 of 7 used proper documentation; and 4
of 7 showed at least some critical use of sources
2. Graduates will acquire knowledge of the history, literature, and material culture
of ancient Greece and Rome.
Assessed by transcript review, senior comprehensive exam, and exit
interviews.
Findings: Graduates took an average of more than eight courses in culture and
over eleven in ancient languages; four graduates achieved an A on their senior
exam; two had Bs; and two Cs. All responses to questionnaire indicated
satisfaction with the range of courses, although one expressed a desire for
balance between Greek and Roman areas.
3. Graduates will acquire a reading knowledge of Greek and/or Latin.
Assessed by transcript review and exit interviews.
Findings: The graduates averaged over 11 quarters of language study and all
have a firm foundation in at least one language. Analyzing the last term
language courses shows that the average GPA was 3.50, with five of the
students achieving an A.
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4. Graduates will have strong critical thinking skills
Assessed by transcript review, senior comprehensive exam, and exit
interviews.
Findings: Students performed well in classes required critical thinking skills.
All graduates took a senior comprehensive exam, with an average GPA of
3.25.
3. PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS
List planned or actual changes (if any) to curriculum, teaching methods, facilities,
or services that are in response to the assessment findings.
These assessment findings suggest we are doing well and we will seek to preserve these
strengths as we explore the reshaping of the major for the semester system.
We need to revise the process used to collect questionnaires and writing samples to insure
full participation.
4. ASSESSMENT PLAN COMPLIANCE
Explain deviations from the plan (if any).
5. NEW ASSESSMENT DEVELOPMENTS
Describe developments (if any) regarding assessment measures, communication,
faculty or staff involvement, benchmarking, or other assessment variables.
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