Academic Program Review 2007-2008
Executive Summary
Political Science
The Political Science Department was included in the sixth year of academic program review for
the 2007-2008 academic year. Included in the program review process was the composition of a
self-study document based on faculty’s analysis, a program retreat where the data were reviewed
and the final two sections discussed, and a visitation by an external reviewer. Dr. Walter Baber
served as the external reviewer and read the self-study, interviewed faculty, staff, administration,
and students, and submitted a separate analysis. This analysis was completed a year after the
normal time as a consequence of a previous reviewer failing to submit a final report.
The program self-study completed by the faculty and staff is the major document for this
program review. This complex document reveals the strengths and challenges through the
program perspective and reflects the commitment of the program for self-analysis, reflection, and
evaluation. The institutional expectation is that the program and college administration will use
the self-study document, the dean’s report, and the executive summary as guides to the faculty,
staff, and administration for the next several academic years as the program addresses the
recommendations and continues its record of excellence. Since this process requires an enormous
amount of time and effort from all of the participants, it is necessary to ensure that the results are
used to inform decisions and future course of actions. Therefore, the program faculty and
college administration will be expected to provide a summary of activities undertaken during the
2008-2009 academic year as a consequence of the program review. This report will be due to the
provost in October, 2009.
It should be noted that Dr. Baber’s analysis was detailed and, along with the dean’s report,
provide the depth and context for the faculty and administrators to celebrate commendations and
also move ahead in addressing noted challenges and recommendations.
Commendations
The self-study document as submitted by the Department was understandable and informative. It
can be determined from reading the self-study report, the observations of the reviewer, and the
summary comments of the college dean that the program has several strengths and challenges. It
should also be concluded that the program is integral to the mission of the college and university
and should be commended in the following areas:
Faculty:
Faculty of the Department of Political Science are vital members of the College of the Sciences
and the Central Washington University campus community. Faculty were mentioned by the
reviewer and Dean for exhibiting a high level of expertise, credentials, and practical experience
in their respective areas. Evidence from the review itself (e.g., SEOI data; publication and
presentation record) also supports this contention. Program faculty have consistently
demonstrated productivity in teaching, service, and scholarship. Student enrollment seems to
have grown over the past few years as has their engagement in internships and research and
professional activities. The department and college should continue to make a concerted effort
to retain current faculty and recruit faculty in the future that display such positive attributes.
Recommendations
Although the program should be commended in areas, there are also areas for improvement.
Following are areas that should be addressed to improve the functioning and quality of the
program and its associated programs:
General Education:
The department contributes one course to each of the three sub-parts of the Social and
Behavioral Sciences breadth requirements within General Education. In addition, multiple
sections of courses are offered each quarter with two of the three offerings (101; 270) being
classified as writing intensive. This is positive in the sense that it focuses and develops skills as
related to “preparing students for responsible citizenship” as promulgated in the University
mission statement. The problem is that the inordinate large role played by the department in
General Education is disproportionate to its size and capability. Thus, the need to reassess its
number of offerings in terms of General Education is suggested. The current revision of the
General Education program provides the department impetus for engaging in internal discussions
as to its role and future ability to be as engaged as it has been.
Curriculum Planning:
The need in examining courses (particularly upper division) from a time delivery perspective and
a variety aspect was noted by both the Dean and external reviewer. This type of a curriculum
analysis is needed if the program hopes to continue to adequately support the undergraduate
program offered. A more formalized approach for planning and reviewing curriculum may be
helpful and is suggested.
Advising:
Advising was characterized as an “ad hoc process” by the department through its program review
report. This should be an area of increased and focused effort on the part of the program
especially in light of the number of upper division special topic courses offered and the timing of
when students’ courses of study are developed (at program admission). The Dean’s suggestion
of developing a long-term plan and consistent schedule for upper division offerings is valid.
Making that schedule known to students can be especially helpful to them in planning their
course of study and can indeed assist in improving enrollment patterns. Course specific and
major advising is encouraged as is various peer, faculty, and alumni mentoring initiatives. The
extra effort in this area will go far in improving the overall quality and satisfaction of students.
Assessment:
The program should be commended for developing a capstone course to assess program goals.
This is positive and should be continued. However, it seems the department has experienced
some passive resistance from students to complete “best work” and display “best effort” for
course activities and assignments in this particular course. Effort should be made at defining
what skills, knowledge, and/or attitudes are developed from particular classes (i.e., curriculum
mapping) and then determining what assessment artifacts might be obtained from those classes
to show student mastery of material, etc. Collecting data throughout the program instead of only
at the end might assist the department in defining the types of changes needed to improve the
curriculum in a more responsive and timely manner. In addition, efforts at programmatic
assessment may not seem as disconnected for students and faculty as might be the case now.
It is important that assessment data be used as a basis for curriculum and program change. The
department and Dean report that this is not happening as much as wanted or needed. Examining
a variety of data from throughout programmatic delivery may assist in this process.
Summary
Overall, the Department of Political Science is an important part of Central Washington
University. Faculty are productive professionally and dedicated in terms of creating a positive
and effective environment for students. The program should strive to improve in terms of
program planning and delivery, assessment, and advising. By examining these areas, the
department has great potential in achieving its goals and those of the college, and university.