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Motlow State Community College
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Use of Assessment Results
Fall Semester 2012
Program Title: General Education, University Parallel Major
Course: ECON 2010 - Macroeconomics
Expected Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
1.
recognize and explain the significance of economics as an academic discipline and how it relates
to the social interactions between individuals, institutions, structures and processes in a diverse
society.
2.
analyze and communicate the methodology, values and processes that are used to formulate
general economic theories regarding the social context of individual and institutional behavior.
3.
define and discuss different economic systems existing in the world and how those systems
interact and affect the political, economical, cultural and social behavior of the different
societies.
4.
appraise the relationship and behavioral interaction between the different economic players and
the impact that interaction has on social development and the quality of life for individuals,
families and communities.
5.
critically analyze the macroeconomic functions of government and the impact it has on personal
behavior, social development and the general quality of life for all persons.
6.
discuss the macroeconomic relationships existing between individuals, households, businesses
and governmental institutions, and the impact those Relationships have on personal and social
behavior.
7.
analyze the macroeconomic ramifications and impact of marketplace activities on the social
behavior of individuals, households, businesses and government.
8.
express an understanding of fundamental economic concepts associated with recognizing and
appreciating the cultural diversity of the society in which they live and how those concepts are
influenced and impacted by a global culture.
9.
recognize and describe basic macroeconomic theory and pursuant policy making processes that
help to formulate personal and institutional views and opinions concerning existing and/or
proposed national and international social and behavioral state of affairs.
Performance Measure(s): ECON 2010, Macroeconomics, will be assessed during each fall semester in accordance
with, and as required by, the institution’s general education core assessment schedule. The method of assessing
the expected student learning outcomes will be the use of imbedded examination questions, as outlined in the
information provided below.
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ECON 2010, Macroeconomics
Imbedded Examination
Questions
1. Identify and briefly explain
the three basic economic
perspectives.
2. Define “capitalism,” and
identify and explain the
characteristics of a
“capitalist” system.
Total Points
9 points.
Three points for
identification of perspectives
(one point per perspective).
Six points for explaining the
perspectives (two points per
perspective).
12 points.
Two points for defining
“capitalism.”
Expected Student
Outcomes
Student Learning
Outcomes
It is expected that 70% of all
students will successfully
pass by achieving a minimum
of six points.
1, 2, 3, 4,5,6,7,8,9
It is expected that 70% of all
students will successfully
pass by achieving a minimum
of eight points.
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
It is expected that 70% of all
students will successfully
pass by achieving a minimum
of ten points.
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
It is expected that 70% of all
students will successfully
pass by achieving a minimum
of four points.
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
It is expected that 70% of all
students will successfully
pass by achieving a minimum
of four points.
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Five points for identifying the
characteristics of a
“capitalist” system.
3. Define the business cycle,
identify the phases of the
business cycle, and explain
what is happening to the
economic criterion/indicators
during each phase of the
cycle.
(Note: The economic
criterion/indicators taught in
class should be
demand/spending;
supply/output; incomes;
employment/unemployment;
and prices.)
4. Assume that the economy
is in the midst of a severe
recession. What Fiscal Policy
would you recommend and
explain the impact it would
have on the economy.
5. Assume that the economy
is suffering from massive
inflation and you are the
Chairperson of the FED.
What monetary policy/tool
would you employ and then
using the “cause-effect
chain,” explain the effect it
would have on the economy.
Five points for explaining the
characteristics of a
“capitalist” system.
14 points.
Two points for defining the
business cycle.
Two points for identifying the
phases of the business cycle
(four phases, .5 points per
phase).
Ten points for explaining
what is happening to the
economic criterion/indicators
during each phase (.5 points
for each criterion/indicator
for each phase).
Six points.
Three points for selecting the
correct Fiscal Policy action.
Three points for correctly
explaining the economic
impact.
6 points.
Three points for selecting the
correct monetary policy/tool.
Three points for correctly
explaining the economic
impact of the policy/tool
using “cause-effect chain.”
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The Chair of the Business and Technology Department will compile the data and prepare a report concerning the
results of the assessment based on the designated Student Learning Outcomes. The report will be prepared and
submitted as prescribed by the Director of Institutional Research, Planning and Communication.
Effectiveness Standard: Reference the expected student outcomes identified in the aforementioned
information.
Assessment Results:
Fall 2012
Questions
Sections
L01
Passed/Failed
L03, B01, F05, M05
(ITV)
Passed/Failed
L05, F01, M01
(ITV)
Passed/Failed
L07, F03, M03, S05
(ITV)
Passes/Failed
S01
Passed/Failed
S03
Passed/Failed
1
20/5
49/5
43/4
21/8
24/11
24/10
Analysis of Assessment Results for Question #1: A total of 224 students completed Question #1; 181 passed/43 failed for an
overall passage rate of 80.80%. The overall expected student outcome of 70% was achieved.
Corrective Action: No corrective action required.
2
18/7
44/9
39/7
20/7
23/10
24/10
Analysis of Assessment Results for Question #2: A total of 218 students completed Question #2; 168 passed/50 failed for an
overall passage rate of 77.06%. The overall expected student outcome of 70% was achieved.
Corrective Action: No corrective action required.
3
21/3
40/12
35/10
14/11
15/9
14/9
Analysis of Assessment Results for Question #3: A total of 193 students completed Question #3; 139 passed/54 failed for an
overall passage rate of 72.02 %. The overall expected student outcome of 70% was achieved.
Corrective Action: No corrective action required.
4
19/5
43/9
38/7
16/6
18/8
17/6
Analysis of Assessment Results for Question #4: A total of 192 students completed Question #4; 151 passed/41 failed for an
overall passage rate of 78.65%. The overall expected student outcome of 70% was achieved.
Corrective Action: No overall corrective action required.
5
20/3
45/5
39/6
12/11
10/10
11/10
Analysis of Assessment Results for Question #5: A total of 182 students completed Question #5; 137 passed/45 failed for an
overall passage rate of 75.27%. The overall expected student outcome of 70% was achieved.
Corrective Action: No corrective action required.
Use of Assessment Results:
As described under Assessment Results, the Performance Measures for the Expected Student
Outcomes have been met and the overall Program Learning Student Outcomes for the General Education
course Economics 2010, Macroeconomics, have been achieved.
As part of the appraisal process, the Economics faculty met and completed an evaluation of the
assessment results. Based on that evaluation, the following actions were concluded and affirmed.
1.
All questions were reviewed and confirmed to be valid and pertinent to the study of
Macroeconomics.
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2.
Instructors will increase efforts to accentuate the instructional content and material
associated with the assessment questions.
3.
Instructors will strengthen and give increased emphasis to the review of instructional
material.
4.
Instructors will expand course outlines to more intently focus on the content to be
covered during the course.
5.
As appropriate and applicable, instructional notes and handouts will be provided in a
more timely manner.